Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators up early for School Day Game in Winnipeg

Saturday, November 22, 2025 @ Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

The set-up:

For the second time in a week, the Belleville Senators are up early to hit the ice for a school day game, but this time, they’ll do it in more hostile territory. After beating Toronto in their first-ever School Day Game at home last week, then dropping a pair of decisions in Laval over the weekend, the Senators stop in Winnipeg for two games against the Manitoba Moose, starting this morning. Belleville is still in the middle of the pack in the competitive North Division, just four points from Laval at the top, but needs to take advantage of these two out-of-conference games, while their divisional opponents are facing off back East. The Moose have won six in a row and are one off a franchise record of seven, which they achieved against Belleville a few seasons back. Manitoba is even on Belleville with points, at 20, but is second in the Central Division, five points back of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Previous History:

This is the first of four meetings between these Canadian rivals this season and first of two in as many days. Belleville picked up points in all four games against the Moose last season, with a 3-0-1-0 record, with former Moose forward Wyatt Bongiovanni pacing the Sens’ attack with four points (two goals, two assists) against his former team. Moose defender Elias Salomonsson, who was a rookie last season, had six assists in the four-game season series in 2024-25. Lifetime against the Moose, the Senators are 19-14-5-0, with a mark of 10-5-3-0 at Canada Life Centre.

Roster Notes:

The Senators will get a significant boost from their NHL parent club in Ottawa, with defenceman Lassi Thomson and forward Olle Lycksell loaned back to Belleville over the weekend. Lycksell has dressed in a pair of games for BElleville along with six in Ottawa, where he’s collected one goal. Thomson didn’t dress for the NHL Sens during his call-up and is just three points away from 100 in his AHL and Belleville career. Dennis Gilbert also made his Belleville debut in Laval, after being acquired by the Senators in a trade with Philadelphia that saw Max Guenette go the other way. In terms of injuries, the Senators are still without goaltender Hunter Shepard, forward Tyler Boucher, and rookie defenceman Matt Andonovski. They also still have forwards Danny Katic and Mark Duarte up from the ECHL Allen Americans as well. Full lineup details will be available via the Sens social media channels (@BellevilleSens) about half an hour ahead of puck drop.   

Who to Watch:

Arthur Kaliyev’s seven-game point streak (10 goals, two assists) was snapped in Laval last Saturday, but he’s still tied for second in the AHL in goals (10) and tied for first in shots (61). Rookie blueliner Carter Yakemchuk extended his streak to four games (one goal, three assists) and is among the league leaders for rookies and defenders in points (13) and assists (10). Phil Daoust has taken over the team lead in scoring with 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and is tied for fourth in the AHL in points.

For Manitoba, defender Isaak Phillips (one goal, three assists) and forward Danny Zhilkin (three goals, one assist) are each on three-game point streaks heading into today’s game. Rookie forward Colby Barlow, Winnipeg’s 18th overall draft pick in 2023, has points in back-to-back games (one goal, one assist), while veteran forward Phil Di Giuseppe is tied with Belleville’s Kaliyev for first in the AHL in shots on goal (61).

Follow the Action:

Puck drop this morning is set for 10:30 a.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. ET from Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Broadcast coverage begins at 10:20 a.m. CT / 11:20 a.m. ET, with David Foot and Ross Levitan from the Locked on Senators Podcast and is 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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