Game Day Build-Up: Senators at Marlies – January 12, 2022

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators are hoping an offensive spark on Saturday night can burn into a scoring hot streak, as the team sets off on a six-day, four-game road trip, on Wednesday. The Sens’ loop around Lake Ontario will eventually take them to Rochester and Syracuse, but begins in now familiar surroundings, Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. Belleville, who have already played four games at CCC this season, is coming off a weekend split with the Springfield Thunderbirds which saw them tie a season high with seven goals for. Toronto, meanwhile, have won four of their last five games and three in a row, following a three-game skid.

Previous History:

Wednesday’s meeting is the sixth of the campaign between the Sens and Marlies and marks the halfway point in the 12-game season series. It’s also the fourth time the two teams have played each other in the last two weeks and is the Senators third visit to Toronto in that time. Belleville’s record against Toronto this season is 1-4-0-0, with that win coming at Coca-Cola Coliseum on New Year’s Day. The Senators lifetime record against the Marlies is 23-20-2-2, and 14-7-2-1 in Toronto.

Roster Notes:

The Senators will make two additions to the lineup from Saturday’s win and both players haven’t suited up for Belleville in quite some time. Filip Gustavsson returns from Ottawa to get some playing time, since the NHL club has gone through a rash of postponements and will make his first B-Sens start since October.22. He’ll share the goaltending duties on the trip with Mads Sogaard. Defenceman Jonathan Aspirot also returns from a 21 game injury absence and will start on the third pairing, alongside Maxence Guenette. Xavier Bernard is the only healthy scratch this afternoon, with Belleville’s injured reserve including goaltender Kevin Mandolese, who is out day-to-day, defenceman Jack Dougherty is also out two-to-four weeks with a shoulder injury, while forwards Tyrell Goulbourne and Angus Crookshank have longer timelines to return. The Senators also assigned forward Mitchell Hoelscher to the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL), where he’s expected to play at least six games on an injury rehab stint. Two players were also returned to their respective junior clubs this week, with forward Philippe Daoust being loaned to the Sant John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) and forward Tyler Boucher headed to join the Ottawa 67’s (OHL).

Who to Watch:

Veteran defenceman Michael Del Zotto marked his arrival to the American Hockey League with six points last weekend against Springfield (three goals, three assists). He also had nine shots on goal over the course of the mini-series with the Thunderbirds. Power forward Mark Kastelic was also credited with an assist on Saturday, which snapped a nine-game pointless streak for him. He also had six shots on goal.

Along with Toronto’s three game win streak, Mikhail Abramov is on a personal four-game point streak of his own (two goals, three assists). He’s joined on the streak list by Joseph Blandisi, who has points in three straight games (two goals, two assists). Forward Antti Suomela is also coming off a three-point night (two goals, one assist), with five shots on goal last game.

Follow the action:

Today’s game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET and can be heard on the Belleville Sens official broadcast partner 800 AM CJBQ,David Foot (Broadcast time is 2:50 p.m.). The game can also be streamed live on AHL TV.

Don’t forget to download the Belleville Senators app before game time and follow the Sens social media (@BellevilleSens) for updates.

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