Game Day Build-Up: Senators roll into Grand Rapids for two-game set with Griffins

Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up
Jan.24/24 @ Milwaukee Admirals (NHL Affiliate: Nashville Predators)                   

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators (18-15-2-3) fought back to pick up a point to start their five-game road trip in Milwaukee on Wednesday night and they’ll look to build off that performance tonight, as they begin a back-to-back set with the Grand Rapids Griffins (17-15-4-1), at the Van Andel Arena, in Western Michigan. Boko Imama, Angus Crookshank and Tyler Boucher all scored for the Senators in their comeback effort against the Admirals, while Kevin Mandolese was excellent making 25 saves. The earned point has the Senators in fifth in the North Division coming into the game, as they take on a Griffins team that sits third in the Central Division and has won three games in a row, including a 3-1 victory over Rockford at home on Wednesday.

Previous History:

This is the third of four meetings between Belleville and Grand Rapids, with Belleville picking up three-of-four points in their two-game set at CAA Arena earlier this season. The Senators beat the Griffins 5-2 on December 8, then dropped a 4-3 overtime decision the following night. In seven lifetime games against Grand Rapids, the Sens are 4-2-1-0, with a 2-1-0-0 record at Van Andel Arena.

Roster Notes:

As of this morning there have been no further transactions for the Belleville Sens. Their last roster move was on January 16, 2024, when Tarun Fizer was recalled from the Club’s ECHL affiliate in Allen Texas . The injured list also remains the same, with forwards Phil Daoust, Cole Reinhardt, Graham McPhee and Roby Jarventie still unavailable. Full lineup information, including tonight’s alignment, will be available before the puck drop.

Who to Watch:

All-Star forward Angus Crookshank has been consistent offensively for Belleville over the past week, notching points in three consecutive games (one goal, two assists). Crookshank scored a power play goal on Wednesday in Milwaukee and had five shots on net. Veteran forwards Garrett Pilon and Matt Highmore have also been getting in on the offence lately, with points in back-to-back games. Highmore scored Wednesday and has points in three of his last four contests, while Pilon had an assist in Milwaukee and has found the scoresheet in both games since a minor layoff due to injury.

With their club on a streak, naturally, so are a handful of players from Grand Rapids. Most notably, wingers Jonatan Berggren and Dominik Shine are on four-game point streaks, each with two goals and two assists over that stretch. Reigning Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week Marco Kasper was scoreless on Wednesday in Grand Rapids’ win over Rockford but had five points over a two-game trip to Manitoba last weekend.

Ticket info:

Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games for the remainder of the 2023-24 season are now on sale online, via Ticketmaster or the Belleville Sens Ticket Hub, by visiting the Belleville Sens Box Office at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, or by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. Box Office hours are available by clicking here.

Fans can also click the following links for more information on season seat memberships, flex packs, group experiences or Business Elite memberships, or send an email to tickets@bellevillesens.com.

Follow the action:

Today’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and can be seen on AHL TV and heard on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, begins at 6:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot.

The full 2023-24 Belleville Senators regular season schedule can be found by clicking here.

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