Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Senators wrap up season against Crunch in Syracuse

Saturday, April 18, 2026, vs. Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning)

The final game of the season takes place tonight as the Belleville Senators wrap up their year, closing out a back-to-back in Syracuse. In what was a wild Friday night battle, the Senators came away with a 6–4 victory, highlighted by several standout performances and key storylines. Forward Blake Montgomery and defenceman Hoyt Stanley both recorded their first AHL goals, while goaltender Kevin Reidler, in his second straight start, secured his first AHL/B-Sens win. Forwards Xavier Bourgault (two goals, three points), Arthur Kaliyev (his 40th goal), and Graeme Clarke (three assists) also contributed. The win improves Belleville’s record to 28-34-8-1 (65 points) heading into tonight’s matchup against a Crunch team looking to finish strong as they soon begin their postseason push. Post-game, interim head coach Andrew Campbell noted that Syracuse will be eager to respond, providing a strong test in the finale. “It’s going to be a hard game tomorrow night. They are obviously not going to be happy with tonight’s result”… “Syracuse is a really tough building to play in, so it’s going to be an experience for our young guys, which I think is important.” With that in mind, the stage is set for a hard-fought finale as Belleville looks to close out the season on a high note.

Previous History

With Friday’s victory, Belleville improves their record in the season series to 3-4-0-0, with a chance to even things up in Syracuse tonight. The Senators have scored twenty-six goals in the series, a total matched by the Crunch. Belleville will also look to gain the edge in the all-time matchup, which currently is tied at 25-25-2-3.

Roster Notes

On the transaction front, the BSens had one change to their roster, as goaltender Leevi Merilainen has been recalled to the Ottawa Senators ahead of their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. This brings the total number of recalls to six, joining forwards Stephen Halliday and Hayden Hodgson, along with defencemen Cam Crotty, Lassi Thomson, and Dennis Gilbert. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Senators’ social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

In what has been a seamless transition since arriving in Belleville, Graeme Clarke continues to make his presence felt offensively. The Ottawa, Ontario native picked up three assists in last night’s win, adding to an already impressive stretch with the Senators. With 19 points in just 14 games, Clarke has pushed his season total to forty-three, thriving in a system that suits his style. Elusive with the puck and dangerous in multiple facets, Clarke has emerged as a dual threat, contributing as both a scorer and playmaker. As Belleville heads into the final game of the season, Clarke will once again be a key piece in generating offence.

Ethan Samson has been a bright lately for the Crunch, turning in a two-goal performance in Friday night’s matchup against the Senators. The defenceman out of Delta, BC has been producing at a strong clip lately, registering three goals and five points over his past four games as Syracuse continues to put more minutes on the former sixth round pick. With five goals and 17 points through 39 appearances this season, Samson is building momentum at the right time as the Crunch gear up for the postseason.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Upstate Medical University Arena. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with David Foot and Tyler King, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, with a free-to-listen option available on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network.

Ticket Info:

Season seat memberships for the Belleville Sens’ 10th anniversary season in 2026-27 are also on sale now.  Fans who purchase or renew their membership will be entered into the Belleville Senators ‘30 Days of Gifting’ contest, featuring daily draws for great prizes such as a team-signed jersey, game-used memorabilia, or a year’s supply of popcorn!   

To mark your spot for the 10th season of Belleville Senators Hockey, you can click here to visit the 2026-27 Season Seat Renewals Page or email tickets@bellevillesens.com.   

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