Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators eye strong finish in home-and-home with Syracuse

Friday, April 17, 2026, vs. Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning)

The Set-Up

The last game at CAA Arena this season falls on the first half of a home-and-home for the Belleville Senators, as they welcome the Syracuse Crunch on Fan Appreciation Night. Belleville was shutout 3–0 at home by the Utica Comets on Wednesday night, but the result overshadowed a few notable debuts for the AHL Sens. Three newcomers hit the ice for Belleville on Wednesday, including in forward Blake Montgomery (two shots in his AHL/pro debut), Luke Mistelbacher (one shot in his Belleville debut), and goaltender Kevin Reidler (26 saves on 29 shots in his AHL/pro debut), all played significant minutes in the mid-week defeat. Despite not scoring at home in the past two games, the Sens eye a strong finish to the season against a strong opponent in the Crunch. The Crunch, currently sitting second in the North Division with 87 points, still has a chance to secure a first-round bye over the first-place Laval Rocket (90 points), but a Belleville win in either of this weekend’s games would keep them stuck in second, headed into the postseason next week. Belleville, meanwhile, is trying to improve its 27-34-8-1 record and head into the offseason on a positive note, as preparations for the 10th season of AHL hockey in the Bay of Quinte truly ramp up.

Previous History

The second-to-last game of the season series takes place tonight, with the Senators holding a 2-4-0-0 record against the Crunch in 2025-26. The last meeting between these two teams came on February 18th at CAA Arena, where Belleville dropped a close 2–1 decision. Scott Harrington scored the lone goal for the Senators, with assists from Hayden Hodgson and Garrett Pilon, while Leevi Merilainen made 21 saves on 23 shots. All-time, the series slightly favours Syracuse, with Belleville holding a 24-25-2-3 record heading into tonight’s matchup.

Roster Notes

There have been no changes to the Belleville Senators’ roster as of this morning. As mentioned earlier, the team recently added three new faces to the lineup. Forward Blake Montgomery, fresh off signing his entry-level deal, and former Penn State goaltender Kevin Reidler both made their AHL and Senators debuts, while Brandon Wheat Kings alum Luke Mistelbacher appeared in his first game with Belleville. On the injury front, forward Riley Kidney and defenceman Tomas Hamara remain sidelined as they continue to recover and work their way back. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Senators’ social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

Though he was not able to find the scoresheet in his pro debut with the Senators, Blake Montgomery made a strong impression on Wednesday night. A fast and tenacious winger who brings energy to the lineup had quite the week, playing in the NCAA National Championship, signing his entry-level contract, and then appearing in his first B-Sens game. Montgomery wrapped up his NCAA season with nine goals and 17 points in 38 games, and will look to carry that reliable two-way play into Belleville for the final two contests of the season.

Coming back in a trade to where he started in his career, Matthew Peca has been a welcomed addition into the Crunch lineup. The Petawawa, Ontario native has put together 13 points in 13 games, including four goals and nine assists, since coming back to Syracuse. The centerman brings a reliable two-way presence, but it’s his offensive consistency that has stood out during this stretch. Peca’s familiarity with the organization and ability to contribute in all situations make him a key piece in Syracuse’s attack, and one the Senators will need to keep in check.

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:

Season seat memberships for the Belleville Sens’ 10th anniversary season in 2026-27 are also on sale now.  Fans who purchase or renew their membership will be entered into the Belleville Senators ‘30 Days of Gifting’ contest, featuring daily draws for great prizes such as a team-signed jersey, game-used memorabilia, or a year’s supply of popcorn!   

To mark your spot for the 10th season of Belleville Senators Hockey, you can click here to visit the 2026-27 Season Seat Renewals Page or email tickets@bellevillesens.com.   

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