Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Divisional three-in-three begins as Belleville visits Toronto

Friday, January 9, 2026 @ Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators have had about a week to rest and regroup, having not played since last Saturday at home to Lehigh Valley, but the busy pre-All-Star Break stretch is about to begin. Belleville will play nine games in the next 16 days, including a three-in-three this weekend that starts tonight against the Marlies in Toronto. The Senators have slipped to sixth in the AHL’s North Division and are now six points back of Cleveland, who currently hold the fifth and final playoff spot in the North. And while that gap may seem wide, the Sens will have plenty of opportunity to get back into the postseason conversation with eight games this month against divisional opponents, including two in Cleveland in a couple of weeks. The Marlies are the best team in the North over the past 10 games, with a 7-2-0-1 record and have surged themselves into third place, tied on points with second-place Syracuse and four points back of the Laval Rocket, who still lead the division.

Roster Notes:

As has been the case at times this season, there’s been a shuffle among Senators goaltenders: Mads Sogaard (recently named to Denmark’s Olympic roster) was recalled to Ottawa, and Hunter Shepard was returned. The Senators are also bringing in some reinforcements, signing veteran netminder James Reimer to a professional tryout. There’s also some good news on the injury front, with GM Matt Turek telling TSN 1200 Ottawa this week that Tyler Boucher has been cleared to return to action and will likely get back in the lineup this weekend. Defenceman Carter Yakemchuk is listed week-to-week, and forward Jake Chiasson is also out hurt. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Previous History:

This is the penultimate matchup of this season’s Battle of Ontario, with the 10th and final meeting coming tomorrow night back at CAA Arena, on Indigenous Communities Night. The Senators are 4-2-2-0 against the Marlies through eight meetings this season, with an even record of 2-1-1-0 both home and away. Tonight’s game is the 95th lifetime between Belleville and Toronto, with the Sens holding a 46-37-5-6 record overall, and 23-16-5-2 on the road in Toronto.

Who to Watch:

Sens forward Olle Lycksell has been in excellent form since coming back from the NHL. The 26-year-old Swede is on a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists) and had a helper against his former team last weekend in the loss to Lehigh Valley. Meanwhile, Arthur Kaliyev is still among the top offensive players in the AHL and will look to extend his 10-game point streak (six goals, seven assists) tonight. Kaliyev enters tonight’s game sitting second in points (37), second in goals (21), first in power play goals (12), and first in shots on goal (133). Xavier Bourgault’s 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) have him 8th in AHL scoring.

Power forward Mark Johnstone is the only Marlies player riding a point streak into tonight’s affair. The 29-year-old has two goals and one assist over that span. With Matt Benning and Jake Quillan both on recalls to the Maple Leafs, Vinni Lettieri becomes the Marlies’ next top point getter versus Belleville this season, with six points (two goals, four assists) in eight games.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Coca-Cola Coliseum, in Toronto, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 ET with David Foot and Zach Staden. 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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