Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens meet Marlies for fifth time this season, as Battle of Ontario shifts back to Belleville

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Dec.28/24 vs Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set Up:

Like many this time of year, the Belleville Senators spent Christmas and the days around it hustling out of town to see friends and family – plus squeezing in some work, leaving little time to rest. But, after being shut out by the Toronto Marlies in the Boxing Day Classic (their first shutout loss of the season), the Senators will settle into CAA Arena to play the final two games of the calendar year. The first of those is tonight, a rematch against Toronto, and the second matinee on New Year’s Eve with Utica. Tonight’s matchup gives Belleville a chance to quickly earn back some valuable North Division standings points while improving on its special teams, which have fallen off the pace from earlier in the season and are important weapons in the team’s continued success. The Marlies, meanwhile, are aiming to extend their lead in the 10-game season series and pick up a second consecutive victory against the Senators.

Previous History:

With today’s game, the Sens and Marlies are now halfway through the 2024-25 AHL Battle of Ontario. Belleville holds a record of 2-1-0-1, earning a shootout win in their only home game of the season series back on October 26. Thursday’s shutout loss in Toronto was the first game of the season series not to go to a shootout and dropped Belleville’s lifetime record against Toronto to 39-33-2-5. Lifetime on home ice against the Marlies, the Belleville Sens 18-18-0-3.

Roster Notes:

As was expected, the three players who were returned to Belleville at the break have rejoined the NHL Senators, as forwards Cole Reinhardt and Zack Ostapchuk and goaltender Leevi Merilainen were all recalled back to Ottawa yesterday. Goaltender Mads Sogaard also joined them, as the NHL parent club deals with injuries to both of its top netminders, Anton Forsberg and Linus Ullmark. Defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo was also recalled to Ottawa this morning. With both Belleville goalies headed up, the AHL Senators have recalled Michael Simpson from the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), where he has a 3-1 record with a shutout in 5 games played, a 2.06 GAA and a .929 save percentage. Jamieson Rees remains the only injured Senator. You can click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions, with lineup details available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens) before the game.

Who to Watch:

With both Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen called up to Ottawa, the Senators goaltending spotlight will shine bright again on Malcolm Subban, who signed an AHL contract with Belleville earlier in the season. The 31-year-old, former Belleville Bulls backstop has been solid and consistent this season, with a 6-3-1 record, a 2.96 goals against average and a .887 save percentage. He’s 1-0 against the Marlies this season, picking up a shootout win in Toronto on November 16.

Jake Quillan brings Toronto’s longest current point streak into tonight’s game, finding his name on the scoresheet in five consecutive contests (one goal, four assists). The 22-year-old from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is playing in his first full pro season after signing an entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs at the end of last season, following three seasons with Quinnipiac University (NCAA).

At the Rink:

The Senators are expecting a near-capacity crowd at CAA Arena tonight, so fans should arrive early to ease parking pressures and allow for plenty of time to get inside the building. Fans will be able to take advantage of the club’s new year’s sale at The Locker Room Store, with 25% off replica jerseys and all 2024-25 merchandise. That deal is available through January 1, 2025, at the Locker Room Store (inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre), the Gate 2 Merchandise Stand inside CAA Arena, or via The Locker Room’s online store, using the promo code “2025”.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, ON. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. ET with David Foot and Brock Ormond, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for all remaining 2024-25 Belleville Sens home games are now on sale via Ticketmaster, or by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. Hours for the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena are available here.

Fans looking to get a head start on locking up tickets for any game on the schedule can do so now by becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or by booking a group experience.

More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com.

About the Belleville Senators

The Belleville Senators are the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators and have been operating in the AHL since the 2017-18 season. The Senators play their home games out of the CAA Arena at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre and have graduated more than 60 players to the NHL since moving from Binghamton, New York.

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