Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Sens look break out against Rocket on Community Heroes Night at

Friday, December 5, 2025 vs Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens)

The set-up:

It’s been a tough stretch for the Belleville Senators, who have lost four games in a row for the first time this season, and begin another important back-to-back set on home ice tonight against the Laval Rocket. Belleville’s recent slide started with a pair of defeats in Laval a couple of weeks back, and continued with a split in Manitoba, then two losses to the Providence Bruins last weekend and one to the Toronto Marlies this past Wednesday. The recent results have seen the Sens drop back into fifth place in the North Division, tied on points with Toronto, and now eight points behind the Rocket, who lead the division. That means, a pair of regulation wins this weekend would cut that deficit to the top of the North to four, though the Rocket will provide another strong test for the Sens. Laval has won five straight games, including the two wins over Belleville a couple weeks ago, and arrives in Belleville after defeating the Atlantic-leading Bruins on Tuesday.

Previous History:

Belleville’s losses in Laval a few weeks back have dropped the Sens 2025-26 record against the Rocket to 1-2-1-0. Belleville’s only win against Laval this season came back on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, when the Sens scored a 6-2 win. and tonight’s matchup is the fifth of 10 in the season series. In 95 lifetime meetings with Laval, Belleville is 49-38-4-4, with a record of 26-15-2-4 in 47 home contests. After tomorrows rematch, the Sens and Rocket will see each other next for a New Year’s Eve matinee at CAA Arena, at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 31.

Roster Notes:

Stephen Halliday was recalled to Ottawa just ahead of Belleville’s game against Toronto and remains with the NHL club, who are off tonight, but but host the St. Louis Blues tomorrow. Hayden Hodgson was returned to Belleville earlier this week and dressed for the AHL Sens against Toronto on Wednesday, but no other transactions have been announced. Goaltender Hunter Shepard, rookie defenceman Matt Andonovski, and forward Tyler Boucher all remain on the Belleville injured list. Full roster and lineup details will be revealed closer to puck drop on the Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

In what’s becoming a nightly routine, Arthur Kaliyev tallied again on Wednesday to give him points in five consecutive games (four goals, three assists). Kaliyev has only had four games without a point this season and is third in the AHL’s overall points race (23), second in goals (14), and leads the league in power play goals (9) and shots on goal (79). Sens Captain Garrett Pilon has five points over his past two games (one goal, four assists) and on Wednesday, passed Jake Lucchini for sixth on the club’s all-time points list (106). He also passed Angus Crookshank for fifth on Belleville’s all-time assists list (73).

Laval continues to be led by veteran forward Laurent Dauphin, whose 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) have him sitting tied for second in the AHL scoring race. Seven of those points (two goals, five assists) have come over four games against Belleville this season. Defender Adam Engstrom also has seven points against Belleville (three goals, four assists) over four games this season.

At the Rink:

It’s Community Heroes Night at CAA Arena, presented by Wilkinson & Company LLP, recognizing first responders, frontline workers, and volunteers, who keep our community safe and make it a better place to live. The festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. today, when the Belleville Police Service will face off against the Belleville Fire Department in a charity game at CAA Arena.

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 David Foot and Brock Ormond, and is available on AHLTV on 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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