Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Sens begin annual lap of Lake Ontario with visit to Rochester

Friday, December 19, 2025 @ Rochester Americans (NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators are on the road to start the weekend, as they begin their annual lap of Lake Ontario, starting tonight in Rochester, New York, and finishing with a home-and-home set against the Toronto Marlies. It’s a big weekend for the Senators, who find themselves one point behind the Marlies and six back of tonight’s opponents from Rochester, with three games to go until the Holiday Break. It’s also an important night for Belleville, as it marks the interim head coaching debut of former assistant coach Andrew Campbell, who was promoted this week. With Ottawa GM Steve Staios noting “time for a change and a fresh voice in Belleville”, Campbell will look to put his stamp on a group that has shown its potential earlier in the season, and needs to continue to show belief in itself as the gruelling middle stages of the season and busy post-Christmas stretch arrive. As they’ve done all season, Rochester has been consistently collecting points, earning at least a point in six straight games, though that trend was bucked this past Wednesday, when they dropped a 3-2 decision at home to the Utica Comets.

Previous History:

Tonight’s matchup marks the midway point of the eight-game season series between Belleville and Rochester, with the visiting team winning all three games so far. The Amerks beat Belleville 4-1 and 6-1 at CAA Arena on October 29, and December 10, while the Senators returned the favour with a 6-4 victory at Blue Cross Arena back in mid-November. The Sens are 1-2-0-0 against the Amerks this season, and 28-19-5-1 in their lifetime, with a 17-8-1-0 mark in the Flower City.

Roster Notes:

The Senators should get some help in terms of their leadership and offence as captain Garrett Pilon is expected to return tonight from an injury layoff. Pilon has missed the last three games and will be itching to get back into the lineup and help provide a spark for his team. Defenceman Dennis Gilbert was also returned from the NHL this morning and should he arrive in Rochester in time to play, will also strengthen the lineup on both sides of the puck. Not only does the 29-year-old add some more experience and grit on the back-end, the Buffalo, New York native has added an assist in all three games he’s played for Belleville since being acquired in a trade with Philadelphia, for Max Guenette. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

Sens forward Jan Jenik got himself off a five-game drought last weekend, scoring a beautiful individual effort goal against the Bridgeport Islanders on Sunday. While not scoring at the rate he may want, the second-year Senator has been doing all of the other things right for Belleville, especially blocking shots and keeping the energy up on the bench and in the room. Arthur Kaliyev continues his torrid scoring pace, with points in three straight games and has just five games this season without a point. He’s four points off the league scoring lead, two goals off the league lead in that category, and leads the AHL in shots on goal and power play goals. Xavier Bourgault has also picked up an assist in each of his last two games.

The Amerks continue to be led offensively by former New York Rangers draft pick Zac Jones, who signed with the Sabres in the offseason. The 25-year-old from Richmond, Virginia, has 26 points in 23 games, including a four-game point streak in which he’s collected a goal, five assists, and 13 shots on net. Konsta Helenius has points in six straight, while Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Nikita Novikov each have four points in three games against the Sens this season.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:05 p.m. ET from Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 ET with David Foot and Tyler King and 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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