Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Bounce-Back Mentality as Senators host Bears

Saturday February 14, 2026 vs Hershey Bears (NHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals)

The Set Up:

After a restful All-Star Break, the Belleville Senators welcome the Hershey Bears for what will be anything but a loving Valentine’s Day. Belleville dropped two games in back-to-back nights to division rival Syracuse before the break, and the Senators are looking to bounce back into the win column as they currently sit sixth in the North Division at 20-21-8-0 with 49 points. On the other side are the Bears, whose season has gone somewhat similarly to the Senators’, at least points-wise. Holding fourth place in the Atlantic Division, Hershey sits at 48 points with a 20-16-6-2 record, hoping to chip away at the top three teams above them in Charlotte, Wilkes-Barre, and Providence. The Bears’ scoring has been heavily led by two of their star rookie forwards, Ilya Protas and Andrew Cristall. Protas, a third-round draft pick, leads Hershey in both points (37) and goals (18), continuing to develop well in Chocolate Town. Cristall, a second-round selection, sits second on the team with 35 points while adding 18 points on the power play. Young talent is something the Senators have also become familiar with lately, particularly defenceman Carter Yakemchuk. The “Yak Attack” has been in full effect, recording five points in his last five contests and three goals in his last two games. The 20-year-old appears to be getting more comfortable in his surroundings while continuing to grow his game. Belleville will be eager to grab two points and take advantage of a Bears team traveling from Laval on a back-to-back.

Previous History:

The first of four games this season goes tonight here at CAA Arena between the Senators and Bears. Last season it was the Bears who came out on top, leaving Belleville at a 2-2-0-0 finish with the Senators looking to start strong this time around. All-time Belleville has put together a 7-8-0-1 total against Hershey, with a mark of 2-6-0-0 on home ice.

Roster Notes:

As of this morning, there are no transactions to report for the Belleville Senators. Forward Keean Washkurak has been handed a six-game suspension for his involvement in a post-game fight after the final buzzer against Syracuse on Saturday night, which begins with tonight’s game. Forward Hayden Hodgson is serving the back half of his five-game suspension stemming from a hit in Cleveland; tonight marks the fourth game served. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens’ social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

It has been a quiet last four games for Philippe Daoust, whose season has been his best yet. The Barrie, Ontario native is currently third on the Senators with 38 points, surpassing last year’s total of 22 in his first full season. Daoust’s playmaking ability makes him a shifty and difficult opponent to read, which is why his team-leading 27 assists come as no surprise. He has also been effective at even strength. Of his 38 total points, 24 have come at even strength, an impressive 61 percent. As Belleville settles back in post-break, Daoust’s presence will be one to watch for in what they hope is a quick start tonight.

Though he hasn’t spent the entire season in Hershey, forward Ivan Miroshnichenko’s production continues to be a bright spot for the Bears. He played a pivotal role in Hershey’s win over Utica on January 31st, scoring both the game-tying goal and the game-winner to cap off a three-point night. The Capitals farm hand now has 22 points in 27 games, including nine goals, carrying the second-highest points-per-game total on the team at 0.81. It has been another solid year for Miroshnichenko, who consistently impacts the game with his raw skill and shot. Watch for No. 10 when it’s crunch time.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 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:

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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