Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Phantoms make only trip to Friendly City on Women in Sports Night

Saturday January 3, 2026 vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers)

The Set-Up:

After earning points in five of their last seven games in 2025, the Belleville Senators are looking to continue that consistency as they open the 2026 portion of the schedule tonight at home to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Tonight’s matchup is Belleville’s only game of the weekend, and with the Senators sitting fifth in the North Division standings, tied on points with Cleveland and having played more games than any other club in the North, earning a result against an out-of-division opponent is that much more critical. The Phantoms are in a similar spot to the Senators, battling for seeding in the middle of the Atlantic Division, trying to catch the Charlotte Checkers, who are two points ahead, and increase the four-point gap on the Springfield Thunderbirds, who are right behind them.

Roster Notes:

The only transaction for the Senators this week saw rookie defenceman Matt Andonovski come off the injured list and be reassigned to his junior club, the Kitchener Rangers, of the Ontario Hockey League. The 20-year-old from Markham, Ontario, was selected in the 5th round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Sens and dressed in just three games for Belleville this season before being hurt. Otherwise, goaltenders Leevi Merilainen and Hunter Shepard are still up with the NHL club, as is forward Stephen Halliday. Belleville’s current injured list includes forwards Tyler Boucher, Jake Chiasson, and rookie defenceman Carter Yakemchuk. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

The Senators offence continues to be paced by Arthur Kaliyev, who is second in league scoring with 36 points. He’s tied for the AHL goals lead (20), still has the league lead in power play goals (11), and has taken more shots than any other player in the AHL this season, so far (127). Kaliyev has also collected at least a point in nine straight games (five goals, seven assists), setting a new Belleville Sens franchise mark. Xavier Bourgault (11 goals, 18 assists), and Phil Daoust (nine goals, 20 assists) are also among the league leaders, with Bourgault scoring twice on New Year’s Eve against Laval.

The Phantoms have been led by 28-year-old Lane Pederson, who has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) through 31 games played this season. The undrafted, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native, has played a total of 341 AHL games, along with 71 in the NHL for San Jose, Vancouver and Columbus. Lehigh Valley also gets some firepower back with Anthony Richard returning from representing Canada at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. He’s third in points for the Phantoms at 18 (eight goals, 10 assists). And, the Phantoms are bringing back former Belleville defenceman Max Guenette, who was traded to the Flyers organization for Dennis Gilbert about a month or so ago. Guenette played 236 games for Belleville between 2021 and 2025, and is the AHL Sens’ current franchise leader in points (116), assists (89), and games played (236) by a defenceman.

At the rink:

It’s the annual Women in Sports Night at CAA Arena, as the Senators recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in sports, at the local, professional and international levels. The pregame speakers panel, which is included with your ticket, begins at 5:00 p.m. and features Queen’s University Women’s Hockey Coach Morgan McHaffie, Director of Fitness & Training for the NHL Officiating Department Jackie Jarrell, and former Greek national basketball team member Gia Spiropoulos. In-game, the Senators will welcome DJ K-Lav to provide music and entertainment throughout the night, with Quinte Broadcasting’s Alana Cameron joining as guest public address announcer and former Hits955 morning show host Charity Brown as guest in-arena host. Fans will also have a chance to win a pair of PWHL tickets through a “Selfie from Your Seats” contest in-game! Plus, the Senators are supporting the Belleville Bearcats Girls Hockey Association by auctioning off their Bearcats warm-up jerseys, an in-game Chuck-a-Puck and more!

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 ET with CKWS-TV Kingston’s Kaytlyn Poberznick and Alexa Hoskin, a former player at Quinnipiac University (NCAA) and a Belleville native. It is available on AHLTV via FloHockey or free to listen 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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