Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Sens visit Toronto to kick-off three straight against Marlies

Saturday, December 20, 2025 @ Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators are at the halfway point of their lap around Lake Ontario as they prepare to visit the Toronto Marlies, kicking off a set of three straight games against their provincial rivals. Belleville has earned points in back-to-back games, after overtime losses to Bridgeport last weekend and in Rochester last night, and the Sens have collected points in three of their previous five games, as the fight for seeding in the North Division continues. Belleville is back in fifth, but tied on points with Toronto in fourth and Cleveland in sixth, making these final two games before Christmas and the first one after the holiday break, a critical stretch nearing the midway point of the season. The Sens face a Toronto team that hasn’t played since edging out the Monsters 3-2 last Sunday, and is trying to get about the .500 mark before the break.

Previous History:

This is the 91st meeting in the lifetime series between Belleville and Toronto, with the Sens holding a 44-36-4-6 record overall and 23-16-3-2 in the Ontario capital. This season, Belleville has points in four of five games against the Marlies at 3-1-1-0, and has won both visits to Coca-Cola Coliseum in 2025-26, with a 4-2 victory on October 25, and a 5-4 shootout win the following afternoon.

Roster Notes:

There were no transactions announced between Belleville, Ottawa or the Sens’ ECHL affiliate in Allen Texas overnight. Belleville captain Garrett Pilon and veteran netminder Hunter Shepard both returned to action yesterday after missing time due to injury, while Dennis Gilbert did make it back in time from the NHL Sens to dress, and remains with the AHL club today. Rookie defenceman Matt Andonovski and forward Tyler Boucher remain on the Belleville injured list. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

Phil Daoust snapped a mini three-game pointless drought with a goal and an assist in Rochester last night. The Barrie, Ontario native continues to be one of Belleville’s most consistent offensive threats, picking up 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 29 games. Sophomore defenceman Jorian Donovan has two assists in his last two games and has already surpassed his point totals from last season, scoring three times and adding 11 assists so far this campaign, for 14 points. Arthur Kaliyev scored again last night as well, keeping him three off the AHL points lead, one off the AHL goals lead, and still leading the league in power play goals and shots on net.

Toronto’s Jake Quillan carries a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists) into tonight’s game, with the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native also dressing in a pair of NHL games with the Maple Leafs this season. Meanwhile, Travis Boyd has two goals and two assists over a three-game point streak, Veteran Benoit-Olivier Groulx has scored in back-to-back games, and former Senator Cedric Pare had the game winning goal for the Marlies against Cleveland last week.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 4:00 p.m. ET from Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 3:50 ET with David Foot and is available on AHLTV via 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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