Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators begin season’s first three-in-three at home to Rocket

Friday, October 16, 2026, vs. Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens)

The Set-Up

The Belleville Senators kick off their weekend with the first of three games in as many days, welcoming the Laval Rocket to 613 Country for the first time this season. After a road win in Syracuse, the Senators closed out their back-to-back last weekend with a 4-2 loss to the Utica Comets on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Suzuki notched his first two goals as a Senator last weekend, while Samuel Bolduc buried his first of the season on Sunday and Kasper Halttunen added two assists.  Following Sunday’s game, both Head Coach Andrew Campbell and forward Kasper Halttunen felt that the execution was good at times, but cutting down on “unforced errors” will be key as the early season progresses. Now, with Belleville back to an even 2-2-0 record, a big challenge comes to town in the form of the Laval Rocket. Last season’s North Division regular season winners have strung together three straight wins after dropping their season opener against the Crunch and now have their sights set on improving last season’s 18-15-1-2 road record in Belleville. In their latest win, Laval topped Hartford 5-2, with a familiar name putting on a standout performance as Laurent Dauphin recorded three assists and four points. Belleville and Laval face off in the first of ten meetings this season, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at CIBC Place.

Previous History

Last season, the Senators posted a 4-5-1-0 record against the Rocket, battling hard against the eventual North Division winners. Their final meeting of the season took place on April 11th, when the Rocket won 5-2 at Place Bell, with Tyler Boucher scoring a goal and Samuel Bolduc recording two assists. All-time, Belleville holds the edge with a 52-41-4-4 record.

Roster Notes

There are two roster moves to note ahead of tonight’s game. Defencemen Jorian Donovan and Hoyt Stanley have been loaned back to Belleville. Stanley has appeared in four games this season for Ottawa, while Donovan made his first NHL appearance of the season on Tuesday night. The Senators will post full roster and lineup details closer to puck drop on their social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

Samuel Blais has made an early impact in Belleville, contributing offensively as he settles in with the Senators. The 30-year-old forward opened his scoring account with a goal and an assist in Belleville’s 3-2 shootout victory over Rochester on opening weekend, including a power-play goal in the second period. Blais combines skill with a physical edge, making him a threat in the offensive zone while bringing a gritty element to his game. With NHL experience and veteran leadership, he adds valuable versatility to the Senators’ lineup. After going pointless last weekend, Blais will look to build on his early production and establish himself as a key contributor in Belleville.

Sasha Pastujov has made an immediate impact with the Laval Rocket, opening the season with three goals and two assists through his first four games. The 23-year-old forward comes off a breakout campaign with the San Diego Gulls, where he led the team with 57 points (21G, 36A) in 71 games. Acquired by the Montreal Canadiens from Anaheim in the offseason, Pastujov brings an offensive touch and playmaking ability that have translated early in his new surroundings. With goals in consecutive games to begin Laval’s road trip, the forward has quickly established himself as a player to watch. He’ll look to build on his strong start and is one to follow tonight.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CIBC Place in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with David Foot and can be seen via AHLTV on FloHockey.

Once again, the full 2026-27 Belleville Senators schedule is available by clicking here.

More information on season seat memberships, Sens on Demand ticketing, premium seating, the Business Edge program, and more can be found by visiting the Belleville Sens Website.