game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens cap four-game road swing in Cleveland February 24, 2025 Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up Feb.24/25 @ Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets) The Set Up: The Belleville Senators had a triumphant return to Cleveland on Sunday afternoon, and tonight, a rematch with the Monsters in ‘The Land’ could prove pivotal in the playoff push. The Senators returned to Rocket Arena, where their 2023-24 season came to an end at the hands of the Cleveland Monsters and hung on to win 2-1 in a shootout in a game that felt a lot like last season’s four-game North Division Semifinals clash. Jan Jenik was the only player to score in regulation for Belleville and added the shootout winner while Leevi Merilainen earned his 11th win, making 31 saves and stopping three shooters in the shootout. A repeat performance tonight would help the Senators to split their four-game road trip and get back within two points of the North Division’s final playoff spot, held by the Syracuse Crunch. Previous History: While they both play in the North Division, the Senators and Monsters only see each other four times in the regular season, twice each at home and away. Tonight’s game is the 30th regular season matchup all-time between Belleville and Cleveland, with the Senators holding a record of 13-14-0-2 following last night’s shootout win. Belleville also improved it’s record at Rocket Arena to 6-9-0-0, in 15 regular season contests. Roster Notes: In the midst of a busy schedule and playing on back-to-back nights the Senators didn’t hold a morning skate on Monday. It’s hoped the rest will pay off, especially for forwards Zack Ostapchuk and Cole Reinhardt, who arrived back from the NHL Senators early Sunday morning and didn’t dress, due to the game’s early start. If Ostapchuk plays, it will be his first game for Belleville since November 23, while Reinhardt had a goal an assist in his last appearance for the AHL Sens, a win at home to Utica on February 17. You can click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions, with full lineup details ahead of game time via the Belleville Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens). Who to Watch: Should he dress today, fans will certainly be keeping an eye on Senators forward Zack Ostapchuk, who’s been in the National Hockey League since late November. The powerful forward had eight points (one goal, seven assists) in nine games with Belleville before being recalled and would provide some extra punch and physicality up front. The 21-year-old from St. Albert, Alberta, has dressed in 43 games for Ottawa this season registering four points (one goal, three assists). He had 28 points (17 goals, 11 assists) in 69 games for Belleville in his rookie AHL campaign last year. Forward Trey Fix-Wolansky was the only Monster to score in regulation on Sunday, knocking a rebound past Leevi Merilainen early in the third period. The two-time AHL All-Star is currently tied for seventh in AHL scoring with 43 points, which also tops the Cleveland scoring charts. Another Albertan, the 25-year-old has played all 267 games of his AHL career with Cleveland, after being drafted by Columbus in the seventh round of the NHL Entry Draft in 2018. Fix-Wolansky had three goals against Belleville in last year’s regular season and two assists against the Sens in last season’s Calder Cup Playoff series. Follow the Action: Puck drop this afternoon is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. ET with David Foot, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Ticket Info: Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games through the 2024-25 season are now on sale via Ticketmaster, or by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. Hours for the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena are available here. Fans can click the following links for more information on becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. For more details on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages, visit the Belleville Sens website or email tickets@bellevillesens.com. The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available here. About the Belleville Senators The Belleville Senators are the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators and have been operating in the AHL since the 2017-18 season. The Senators play their home games out of the CAA Arena at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre and have graduated more than 60 players to the NHL since moving from Binghamton, New York. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com Watch the Belleville Sens on AHLTV on FloHockey: www.watchtheahl.com
