Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators eye season-series split against Phantoms

Friday, November 6, 2026, vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms (NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers)

The Set-Up

Looking to build off a strong performance last Sunday afternoon, the Belleville Senators continue their homestand during Hockey Fights Cancer weekend as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms come to town for their first and only visit to CIBC Place this season. The Senators are coming off a 4-1 win over their North Division rivals, the Toronto Marlies, highlighted by a hat trick from Kasper Halttunen and a strong defensive effort. Holding Toronto to just two shots in the first period and 15 overall, the Senators surrendered their fewest shots in a game this season, improving their record to 5-5-2-0. Now, Belleville will look to get some revenge on the Phantoms, who got the better of the Senators in their previous meeting back in October. Lehigh Valley is coming off a victory over the Laval Rocket, earning a 5-4 shootout win at home. The Phantoms bounced back nicely after suffering an 8-0 loss to the Providence Bruins on home ice and a 6-3 road defeat in Rochester. Compared to their first meeting, Belleville will face a new opponent in Alex Bump, who has been dangerous offensively in the AHL this season, recording eight goals and nine points through his first six games. The second and final meeting of the season against the Phantoms gets underway at 7:00 p.m. as the Senators look to even the season series on home ice in the Friendly City.

Previous History

Belleville enters this matchup with an 0-1-0-0 record against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season. That loss came on October 25th, when the Senators fell 2-0 on the road. Although Belleville came away without any points, Kevin Reidler made his first start of the season, stopping 21 of 23 shots in the loss. The Senators hold a 7-9-1-0 all-time record against the Phantoms.

Roster Notes

The Senators had one transaction ahead of tonight’s game, as forward Xavier Bourgault was loaned back to Belleville from Ottawa. Bourgault appeared in two games during his recall, recording 10:14 of total ice time across 14 shifts. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop through the team’s social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

Entering his second season in the AHL, Finnish forward Kasper Halttunen is looking to build on an impressive rookie campaign while continuing his recent offensive success with the Senators. Known for his size, strong shot and scoring ability, Halttunen has already shown what he can bring offensively, including a hat trick against the Toronto Marlies last Sunday, with all three goals coming on the power play. Now sitting at 12 points through 12 games, number 12 will look to keep his scoring touch going against the Phantoms tonight as Belleville finishes off their four-game homestand this weekend.

For Lehigh Valley forward Alex Bump, the 2026-27 season has been an opportunity to build on an impressive introduction to professional hockey. The 22-year-old recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 36 AHL games during the 2025-26 season. After getting an opportunity to appear in a handful of games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Bump has returned to the Phantoms and taken another step forward offensively. Bump has opened the season with nine points (eight goals, one assist) through his first six games, notching a point in each game so far. His hot start included five goals over a three-game stretch, earning him AHL Player of the Week honours in October. A left winger with a natural scoring touch, Bump will look to continue providing offence for a Phantoms team that has struggled to find consistent production.

Follow the Action:

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