Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens prepare for season-ending contest with Rocket on Fan Appreciation Night

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Apr.19/25 vs Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens)

The Set Up:

The Belleville Senators made a valiant effort and pushed for a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, but unfortunately, came up just short and will finish sixth in the AHL’s North Division this season. The Senators fell 5-1 to the league’s best regular season team last night, the Laval Rocket, snuffing what little flame of playoff hope was still alive. But the work isn’t done yet. The Sens will welcome the Rocket to CAA Arena tonight for one more matchup on Fan Appreciation Night, presented by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board. It’s a chance for players to thank the fans for their support, and for the fans to show their appreciation for Sens’ players and staff efforts all season long. It’s also an opportunity for Belleville to end the season on a winning note, get some payback on the Rocket for last night’s loss, and take the edge in the season series, which has been pretty well split up the middle over its first nine games.

Previous History:

Belleville’s loss last night drops their record against Laval this season to an almost even 4-3-1-0 ahead of this 10th and final meeting tonight. Lifetime against the Rocket, the Senators are now 48-36-2-4, and 25-14-1-4 at CAA Arena. Garrett Pilon leads the Senators charge against the Rocket this season with seven assists over nine games, while Rocket veteran Alex Barre-Boulet has seven points (three goals, four assists) in seven games this season against Belleville.

Roster Notes: 

There’s been one transaction this morning that will impact Belleville’s lineup tonight. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen was recalled to the NHL to support the Ottawa Senators on their Stanley Cup Playoffs run and will not be available for Belleville tonight. . Hayden Hodgson also remains on NHL recall, while Mads Sogaard, Max Guenette, and Zack MacEwen are all still hurt. 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:

Sens forward Oskar Pettersson has had some slower offensive stretches, but has found his touch as the season winds down. The 21-year-old Swede is playing in his first full AHL season, after joining Belleville for 29 games in 2023-24, and has recorded five points (four goals, one assist) over his last six games, including a goal in each of the last two games in Laval. Djibril Toure picked up an assist last night as well, while Senators captain Garrett Pilon is one goal away from setting a new career high in one season, sitting on 18.

A quartet of Rocket players had multi-point nights last night, with Alex Barre-Boulet, Lucas Condotta, and Xavier Simoneau, each registering a goal and an assist, and Jared Davidson adding two helpers. Former Quinte Red Devils Standout Owen Beck tacked on an assist yesterday and had four shots on net, as he completes his first professional season. There is a chance the Rocket don’t send some of their “big guns” though, given they’ve already clinched the North Division and AHL regular season titles.

At the Rink:

Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night presented by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board, with a sold out crowd expected and lots of energy and excitement around CAA Arena. The festivitites begin between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. outside of Gate 1, where Sens players will meet fans and sign autographs on the red carpet. Fans are being encouraged to arrive early for the red carpet and for the club’s pregame Player Awards Ceremony, recognizing the on-ice accomplishments of Sens players this season. In-game, fans can expect thousands of giveaway items like t-shirts, blankets, novelty items and more, plus as part of the evening’s festivities, the BQRMB will host a special game of Bay of Quinte Plinko during intermission where one lucky fan will win the grand prize—a Bay of Quinte Staycation valued at up to $500! And, fans can take advantage of our Fan Appreciation Sale at the Locker Room Store, which includes 30% off 2024-25 items, 40% off clearance items, 50% off novelty items and more. Those deals are available at the Locker Room before the game, the Gate 2 Merchandise Stand in-game, or online anytime at www.shop.bellevillesens.com.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. 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:

2025-26 Season Seat Memberships are on sale now by contacting the Belleville Sens office at 613-967-8067, emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com, or visiting the Belleville Sens website.  Fans who renew or purchase a season seat membership before May 2 are entered into our ’26 Days of Gifting’ contest, with daily draws for great prizes. Plus, all new and renewed season seat members will have a chance to ‘Shoot to Win’ $1,000 off their seats at a special event on May 15, 2025.

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.

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