Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Sens finish busy weekend at home to Rochester on Winning Sunday

Sunday, January 11, 2026 vs Rochester Americans (NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres)

The Set-Up:

After giving up six goals to the Marlies in Toronto on Friday night, the Belleville Senators successfully got some payback on Toronto yesterday, scoring six times themselves and wrapping up the Battle of Ontario with a 6-3 victory. Now, the focus turns to getting back into the AHL North playoff picture, as they look to erase the four-point gap between themselves and the Cleveland Monsters and regain the offensive consistency that has made Belleville the third-highest-scoring team in the league. This afternoon, they take on another high-power offence in the Rochester Americans, who are just ahead of Cleveland, but are 4-3-2-1 over their last 10 games. The Amerks had yesterday off after a 3-2 loss in Laval to begin the weekend.

Roster Notes:

There were three transactions for Belleville yesterday, with goaltender Hunter Shepard recalled to Ottawa, and fellow netminder Mads Sogard and forward Stephen Halliday were returned to the Friendly City. No other roster moves were announced this morning, but Sens fans could get their first look at newly-signed goaltender James Reimer, who is slated to start today against the Amerks. It will be the 37-year-old Manitoban’s first American Hockey League start since January of 2011, a span of almost 15 years. There was also no change to Belleville’s injured list, with defenceman Carter Yakemchuk and forwards Garrett Pilon and Jake Chiasson all still on the shelf. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Previous History:

This is the fourth-of-eight meetings between Belleville and Rochester this season, with the Sens holding a 1-2-1-0 record. Phil Daoust has been Belleville’s most productive player against Rochester this season with seven points (three goals, four assists) in four games so far. Riley Fiddler-Schultz (three goals, two assists) and Konsta Helenius (one goal, four assists) each have five points over the first four games of the season series. Over 54 lifetime meetings against the Americans, the Senators are 28-19-6-1, and 11-11-4-1 on home ice.

Who to Watch:

Stephen Halliday returned to the Belleville lineup and scored last night, after spending about two months with the NHL Senators in Ottawa. The 23-year-old’s playmaking was clearly noticeable and helped push the Sens to another six-goal outburst. Xavier Bourgault picked up an assist to stretch his point streak to four games (three goals, two assists). Arthur Kaliyev’s two goals yesterday put him in a tie with Laval’s Laurent Dauphin atop the AHL points list (39), and alone with the most goals in the league so far this season (23). Kaliyev also still leads the AHL in power-play goals (12) and shots on net (144), after firing another seven on goal yesterday.

Riley Fiddler-Schultz is the only Amerks player with a point streak entering this afternoon’s contest, having recorded points in three consecutive games (two goals, two assists). Point-producing defenceman Zac Jones was recalled to the Buffalo Sabres, so the Sens won’t have to contend with him this afternoon, but they will have to deal with other offensive threats like Konsta Helenius (nine goals, 20 assists) and Isak Rosen (15 goals, 10 assists), who are both former first round draft picks by the Sabres.

At the Rink:

It’s a special winning Sunday at CAA Arena, which means if the Senators win, all fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to the game on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, against the Syracuse Crunch. After today’s game, fans can meet the players at a full-team autograph signing. Plus, our Indigenous Communities Night Jersey Auction is still live, and you can get your bids in by clicking here in support of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Language and Cultural Centre.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 3:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 2:50 ET with David Foot and Brock Ormond. Watch live on AHLTV via FloHockey or listen for free 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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