Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators aim to bump slump in rematch with Comets

Saturday, February 28, 2026, vs. Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils)

The Set Up

It’s another quick turnaround against a familiar foe for the Belleville Senators tonight, as the Utica Comets visit CAA Arena for the second of four straight between these North Division rivals. Belleville fell 5-3 at Adirondack Bank Center last night, despite a dominant third-period push that came too late. Xavier Bourgault led the way with two goals, while Lassi Thomson added one of his 14th of the season (which leads all AHL defencemen) as well as an assist on the night. The loss drops Belleville to 21-26-8-0 (50 points) with 17 games to play, and leaves the Sens still six points back of the Rochester Americans after their loss to the Laval Rocket Friday evening. Interim Head Coach Andrew Campbell outlined postgame that the Senators need to stick to their identity to get back on the winning track late in the season. “We’re doing a lot of good stuff, but not everything,” said Campbell. “We’re not doing a good enough job of capitalizing on the chances that we’re generating. It is not coming easy for us; we have to dig ourselves out of it”.

Previous History

With last night’s loss, the season series now sits at 3-2-0-0 for the Senators, with five games remaining. This also moves their all-time record against Utica to 26-20-5-0, with the Senators holding the upper hand over the past two years at 7-4-2-0. On the season, Utica has outshot Belleville 140-124 through five games, with the largest margin coming on November 7, when the Comets held a 38-19 advantage in a 3-0 win. Outside of that contest, however, the Senators maintain a plus-four goal differential coming into tonight’s matchup (19-15).

Roster Notes

This morning, there are no transactions to report for the Belleville Senators. Forward Keean Washkurak finished off his six-game suspension on Friday night, opening up the possibility of rejoining the Senators lineup. Forward Jan Jenik and defenceman Cam Crotty are both still on the injury reserve. Tonight will mark the fifth straight game missed for Jenik and the ninth for Crotty as they work their way back from their ailments. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens’ social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

Xavier Bourgault continued to be a bright spot for the Senators last night, especially in this season series versus the Utica Comets. As one of the top point producers for Belleville this season, Bourgault has recorded 27 assists and 43 points in 53 games. When paired with Philippe Daoust and Arthur Kaliyev, Bourgault has played his most consistent hockey, posing a threat on the perimeter with his playmaking ability. Against the Comets, the former Shawinigan Cataractes has scored four times, bringing his point total to five in this series, making for an interesting storyline as the Senators look for revenge on home ice.

After playing his former team for the fifth time, Angus Crookshank had his best performance against the Senators this season. From subtle but effective agitation plays to getting into the tough areas of the ice, it was vintage Crookshank on Friday, something Belleville is all too used to. Recording a goal and a helper in the 5-3 win for Utica, the fifth-round draftee is starting to get comfortable with his new team and perhaps reacquaint himself with his former teammates in typical fashion. As these matchups continue to stack up, the games will likely become more chippy, and given Crookshank’s role, he will be one to watch tonight and down the road.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with David Foot and Brock Ormond, 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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