Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Belleville looks to gain more ground versus Springfield

Saturday March 21, 2026, vs. Springfield Thunderbirds (NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues)

The Set Up

The Belleville Senators are getting right back to work after grabbing one of a possible two points last night, as the Springfield Thunderbirds roll into CAA Arena. In what was a complete effort by the Senators in a 2–1 shootout loss to the Penguins on Friday evening, they picked up a valuable point in their playoff race in the North Division, leaving them just two points back of the final playoff spot. Tyler Boucher recorded the only goal for Belleville, while Riley Kidney picked up his first point as a Senator in his debut. Leevi Merilainen also made some massive saves, stopping 18 of 19 shots, while the Penguins rode the wave of a goal by Aidan McDonough and a strong showing from goaltender Joel Blomqvist, who stopped 28 of 29. Now, in a quick turnaround, the Thunderbirds present an interesting matchup for the Senators. Springfield, who comes to town on their own back-to-back after a loss to the Rocket, are now 24-28-6-2 for 56 points in the Atlantic Division. When asked about the matchup post-game, Interim Head Coach Andrew Campbell said it is just business as usual, even against what could be a tired T-Birds lineup. “There a team that has been playing well lately”..”Team’s play back-to-backs and three-in-threes so, it’s nothing new to them”… “Were gonna have to have our best effort again in order to come out of here with two points”. It is the one and only meeting between these two teams on home ice for the Senators this season, and Belleville will look to use that home advantage to their benefit.

Previous History

With the lone meeting this season coming back on January 24th in Springfield, the Senators are 1-0-0-0 against the Thunderbirds. That late-month effort was a 1-0 battle, led by former Senator Jan Jenik, who netted the only goal, while Leevi Merilainen came up big, stopping 40 shots for his first shutout of the season. All-time, Belleville is 5-10-1-0 against Springfield and will be looking to sweep the season series while improving their current standing.

Roster Notes

There are no roster moves to report for the Belleville Senators. On the injury front, Philippe Daoust made his return to the lineup after a five-game absence, centering the first line between Arthur Kaliyev and Xavier Bourgault. Both Jorian Donovan and Cam Crotty are skating and working through their respective ailments. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens’ social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

Friday night saw Riley Kidney make his debut for the Senators while also recording his first point. The new B-Sen was an impactful piece, centering the third line and contributing on the power play. Kidney brought energy in a tightly contested game, and with more opportunity on the horizon, this could just be the beginning for him with this roster. As the former second-round pick moves forward, he will look to take another step tonight and continue building his presence with his new team.

Meanwhile, Chris Wagner is putting together his most productive AHL season to date and leading by example. With four goals and six points in his last three games, Wagner has been heavily relied upon. Following the departures of Matt Luff and Matthew Peca at the deadline, the 34-year-old now sits alone at the top of Springfield’s scoring list, with 22 goals and 37 points in 56 games so far. The Thunderbirds currently rank near the bottom of the league in goals scored, so if they are going to find success tonight, it will likely come with Wagner playing a key role.

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 Zach Staden, 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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