Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators ride into Utica in search of back-to-back wins

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 @ Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate: Buffalo Sabres)

The set-up:

Things can change quickly in the American Hockey League. And, while the Belleville Senators still sit fifth in the North Division after their 6-4 win in Rochester on Friday, they’re just a strong run away from climbing closer to first-place Syracuse, and passing the other opponents in their way. A victory tonight in Utica would do wonders for the Sens, who continue their three-game New York State road trip at Adirondack Bank Center, a week after the Comets blanked Belleville 3-0 here for just their second win of the season. The Comets lost both of their games and were outscored 10-2 after beating Belleville last week, but the Senators will have to have their guard up and put together a complete effort to get some payback in Utica this evening.

Previous History:

This is the second of 10 meetings between Belleville and Utica in 2025-26, and the Comets’ shutout victory last week gives them a slight edge in the season series. The Belleville loss last Friday drops the club’s all-time record against the Comets to 23-19-5-0, and 9-11-3-0 at the Adirondack Bank Center. The Sens and Comets meet next on Sunday, December 28, when Utica visits CAA Arena.

Roster Notes:

As of Friday morning here have been no transactions reported for the Senators since Mark Duarte signed a professional tryout earlier in the week and joined Belleville for Wednesday’s win in Rochester. Goaltender Mads Sogaard, defenceman Matt Andonovski, and forwards Tyler Boucher and Garrett Pilon, are all still out with injuries, while Jamieson Rees returned from injury on Wednesday and scored the game’s opening goal.  Full lineup details will be available via the Sens social media channels (@BellevilleSens) about half an hour ahead of puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Jan Jenik has settled in nicely since being hurt at the start of the season. The second-year Senator’s forward scored an empty net goal on Wednesday to give him points in three consecutive games (one goal, two assists). Arthur Kaliyev has found his scoring touch as well, collecting four goals over his past three games, while rookie blueliner Carter Yakemchuk has points in back-to-back games (two assists), Stephen Halliday picked up three assists on Wednesday, and Phil Daoust had four points (one goal, three assists). He was named the game’s first star.

While veteran forward Xavier Parent continues to lead the Comets’ offence (six points), rookie defender Ethan Edwards has also been relatively consistent for Utica to start his first American Hockey League campaign—the 23-year-old from St. Albert, Alberta, has points in six of 11 games this season, including a goal and three shots in a Wednesday night loss to Syracuse. Edwards had 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 36 NCAA games with the Michigan Wolverines last season, before collecting three assists over an eight game stretch with the Comets at the end of last season.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:15 p.m. ET from the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York. Broadcast coverage begins at 7:05 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 in the first half of the 2025-26 season are now on sale via Ticketmaster or at the Belleville Sens Box Office located inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre. Details on season seat memberships, flex packs, premium seating, the Business Edge Program, and more can be found by visiting the Belleville Sens Website. 

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