Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators close out road trip in Syracuse

Friday February 6, 2026 vs Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning)

The Set Up:

The Senators are in the final game of their road trip, wrapping up a seven-game swing in Syracuse tonight. Coming off a nail-biting 3–1 win in Rochester on Wednesday night, Belleville is now tied for fifth in the North Division with that same Americans squad at 20-19-8-0 (48 points). Posting a 3-1-2 record on the trip so far, the Senators sit four points back of the Crunch for second place in the division and are not taking their eyes off the prize. Syracuse, on the other hand, snapped a three-game skid Wednesday night with a 4–3 win over the Thunderbirds and will look to carry that momentum into Friday evening. The Crunch are currently tied for second in the North at 24-16-3-1 (52 points) alongside the Cleveland Monsters. It will once again be a tough challenge for the Senators in this home-and-home matchup, as the Crunch boast a roster featuring Jakob Pelletier (sixth in AHL scoring), Dylan Duke (fourth in AHL goal scoring), and goaltender Brandon Halverson, who over his last four games has posted a .927 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average. With four games in hand on the Senators, these are important points for Syracuse, and even bigger ones for Belleville.

Previous History:

So far this season, the series sits at 2-1 in favour of the Senators (2-1-0-0), with Belleville outscoring Syracuse 14–10. In their November meeting, the Senators capitalized on their scoring chances in a 4–1 win at Upstate Medical University Arena, led by a two-goal performance from Mark Duarte. Belleville managed the victory on just 14 shots compared to Syracuse’s 35, while also suffocating the Crunch power play by killing off five of six opportunities. In franchise history, Belleville holds a 24-22-2-3 record against the Crunch all-time and posted a 2-5-0-1 mark last season. After tonight, the two teams will become very familiar with one another, as they meet again tomorrow at CAA Arena, with three more matchups still to come later in the season.

Roster Notes:

There is one transaction to report this morning. Goaltender Hunter Shepard has been loaned back to Belleville from Ottawa after being recalled to replace an under-the-weather Linus Ullmark. Forward Hayden Hodgson will continue to serve his five-game suspension, sitting out his second straight contest following a hit delivered early Saturday against the Monsters. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens’ social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

For the first time this season, Oskar Pettersson has put together his longest point streak, currently sitting at three games. He has collected one goal and two assists over that span, along with four points in his last five outings. Pettersson’s confidence continues to grow in his second full season with the Senators, and his play reflects it. The 2022 draftee leads Belleville in shooting percentage at 21.4 percent, showcasing not only his finishing ability but also his selectivity when generating scoring chances. A consistent presence in the lineup, Pettersson has missed just three games this season and has been a key piece of the bottom six. His impact in small-area battles often leads to bigger plays, further emphasizing his value on and off the puck. Keep an eye on No. 32 as he continues to develop.

As mentioned earlier in this pre-game write-up, Dylan Duke has been a significant contributor to the Crunch’s success this season. Duke has recorded 21 goals and 35 points, currently ranking fourth in Syracuse scoring. The Strongsville, Ohio native is on pace to surpass his rookie-season total of 40 points, and at his current rate should clear that mark comfortably. Over his last 10 games alone, Duke has registered six goals and seven points, emerging as one of Syracuse’s most productive forwards alongside Conor Geekie, who has posted eight points over the same stretch. Much like the Senators’ Arthur Kaliyev, Duke can bury the puck in an instant and will be one to watch this evening.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. with David Foot, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, with a free-to-listen option available 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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