Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators aim to turn the tide in third meeting with Marlies

Sunday, November 1, 2026, vs. Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set-Up

Coming into the second game of this four-game homestand, Belleville is hoping to turn the tide and find a win this afternoon as the Toronto Marlies make their way into the Friendly City. Coming off a 4-1 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday night, the Senators got their lone goal from Kasper Halttunen, who snapped a four-game pointless streak, while Jackson Parsons looked steady between the pipes, stopping 32 of 34 shots. Following the loss, head coach Andrew Campbell emphasized the importance of coming out ready to play when the Senators return to the ice Sunday. “We have to stay out of the box, that’s a big key. But we just have to be ready to go. We have to start better and be sharper. We know Toronto, we played them twice not long ago. It’s a rivalry game and a big one in the division, so we have to bounce back and be ready to go.” Toronto is coming off a five-game homestand, which started with a loss to the Senators back on October 18th. More recently, the Marlies picked up a win Friday night against the Hershey Bears, with Vinny Borgesi (3A) and Borya Valis (2G) leading the way and giving Toronto some momentum heading into this afternoon’s matchup. The Senators will have to be mindful of the special teams battle, specifically the Marlies’ power play, which currently ranks first in the AHL at 30.8%. Meeting three of ten in the Battle of Ontario gets underway at 1:00 p.m. at CIBC Place.

Previous History

The Senators are 1-0-1-0 this season against the Marlies, with both previous meetings coming on back-to-back days. The most recent matchup took place on October 18th, when the Senators picked up a 4-2 win at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Jonas Johansson got the start, stopping 20 of 22 shots, while Samuel Blais, Phil Tomasino, Tyler Boucher and Scott Harrington all found the back of the net in the victory. Belleville holds a 50-46-7-5 all-time record against Toronto as the Senators look to get back on the winning side of the scoresheet.

Roster Notes

Belleville has three roster moves to take note of ahead of today’s game. On Friday, both Xavier Bourgault and Phil Tomasino were recalled to Ottawa, making their debuts with the Senators on Saturday in San Jose. Tomasino picked up an assist while playing 12:20 of ice-time, while Bourgault logged 7:25 alongside former B-Sen Stephen Halliday. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop through the team’s social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

For Norwegian forward Eskild Bakke Olsen, this season marks a new chapter in his hockey career as he made the move to North America for the first time. The 24-year-old signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Senators in June following a breakout season with Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League, where he recorded 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 51 games. Through his first 11 games in Belleville, Bakke Olsen has recorded five points (1G, 4A), with two of those points coming against Toronto. A strong two-way centre, Bakke Olsen can log significant minutes while showcasing his vision and ability to read the ice. With the loss of some experience following the recalls to Ottawa, he’ll be one to watch as he looks to take on a larger role in high-pressure situations.

Now settling into his new role with the Marlies, Aatu Raty has made an early impact in Toronto. After starting the season in the Vancouver Canucks organization before arriving in a trade, Raty has had to adjust to a new team and environment, but his production has remained consistent. The Finnish forward has recorded five points through his first six games with Toronto. While he is typically known for his hard and accurate shot, Raty has found himself contributing more as a playmaker early on. The former New York Islanders draft pick will look to build on the two points he has already recorded against the Senators through their first two meetings.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 12:45 p.m. ET from CIBC Place in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. with David Foot and Zach McGibbon which can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey.

Once again, the full 2026-27 Belleville Senators schedule is available by clicking here.

More information on season seat memberships, Sens on Demand ticketing, premium seating, the Business Edge program, and more can be found by visiting the Belleville Sens Website.