Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Class is in session as Sens host Marlies for first School Day Game

Wednesday,  November 19, 2025 vs Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The set-up:

It’s an early wake-up call this morning for the Belleville Senators with a 10:30 a.m. puck drop against the Toronto Marlies. But the Sens shouldn’t have much trouble getting an energy boost as they host 4,000+ Bay of Quinte students for the club’s first-ever School Day Game. Students from 30 schools in the community will pack CAA Arena to welcome the Sens back from their three-game road trip, which saw them pick up consecutive victories in Rochester, Utica, and Syracuse. Belleville’s recent run, which includes wins in seven of the last 10 games, has helped them hold on to fourth place in the North Division, only three points behind Laval and Rochester, who hold the top two spots. A win this morning would not only be a historic first for the Sens, but would also help them stretch the three-point gap over the Marlies, who have lost three straight games and are finishing off an eight-game road swing.

Previous History:

This is the fourth of 10 meetings this season between Belleville and Toronto, with the Senators picking up at least a point in every game so far and holding a 2-0-1-0 record. Belleville fell 2-1 in overtime in their first meeting in the home opener at CAA Arena then bounced back with consecutive wins (4-2 and 5-4 in a shootout) at Coca-Cola Coliseum in late October. Lifetime against the Marlies, the Senators are now 43-35-4-6 ahead of this 89th meeting between the two clubs.

Roster Notes:

There’s been a flurry of transaction activity this week for the Senators, as the NHL club in Ottawa continues to deal with injuries and embarks on a seven-game road trip that starts in California. The NHL Sens have recalled forward Stephen Halliday and defenceman Lassi Thomson to provide additional support for the trip, bringing the number of players currently on recall to five. Those two most recent names join goaltender Leevi Merilainen and forwards Hayden Hodgson and Olle Lycksell as the other players currently in Ottawa who have also dressed for Belleville. On the injury front, Head Coach Dave Bell told TSN 1200 radio Tuesday that Mads Sogaard is ready to return to full practice, while the news isn’t so good for forward Tyler Boucher, who will be out injured for an undisclosed amount of time. Forward Garrett Pilon and rookie defenceman Matt Andonovski are also injured, with the Senators calling up forward Mark Duarte from Allen last week, and recalling forward Danny Katic from the ECHL Americans on Tuesday. Full lineup details will be available via the Sens social media channels (@BellevilleSens) about half an hour ahead of puck drop.  

Who to Watch:

With Stephen Halliday called up to Ottawa, Phil Daoust takes over the active scoring lead for Belleville with 15 points this season (three goals, 12 assists), and seven points (one goal, six assists) in his last three games. He’s followed closely by Arthur Kaliyev (eight goals, four assists) and Xavier Bourgault (six goals, six assists), who each have 12 points, with Kaliyev riding a franchise-tying five-game goal-scoring streak. Forward Mark Duarte, who remains with Belleville on a professional tryout, scored his first two American Hockey League goals in Belleville’s last game at Syracuse.

Marlies forward Ryan Tverberg has been heating up of late, after a bit of a slow start to 2025-26. The 23-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ontario, has two goals over his last two games and four points in his previous five games played, after picking up just one goal and one assist over the first six games of the season. Former Senators Cedric Pare scored in Toronto’s last game, a 5-2 loss at Grand Rapids last Friday. At the same time, Alex Nylander is Toronto’s leading scorer against Belleville this season with four points (two goals, two assists) in two games.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop this morning is set for 10:30 a.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 10:20 a.m. ET with David Foot and Zach McGibbon, available on AHLTV on FloHockey or free to listen on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for all Belleville Sens 2025-26 home games 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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