game day News Release Share this Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Sens Look to Even the Score Against Hershey February 16, 2026 Monday February 16, 2026 vs Hershey Bears (NHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals) The Set-Up: After dropping the first game of this two-game long weekend set, the Senators are looking to get some revenge against the Bears on Family Day. In a 6-3 loss Saturday night, in which Belleville outshot Hershey 42–23, the Senators now sit five points back of the final playoff spot, currently held by the Toronto Marlies. Post-game, when asked what was possibly missing when it came to capitalizing on scoring chances, Tyler Boucher mentioned that the Senators need to strike when given the opportunity. “I think we can take some positives from our offensive game”…”We just have to finish on our chances… and it is going to take everybody”. Those 42 shots on Saturday evening were the most taken in a single game this season, with the previous high being 39 back in November against the Marlies. For Belleville, Jan Jenik recorded his fourth goal in his last six outings, while rookie Carter Yakemchuk kept his point streak alive with an assist, now up to three games. On the other side, the Bears’ regulars got into action with Andrew Cristall and Ivan Miroshnichenko each posting two-point nights, while Ilya Protas had the lone assist. Hershey’s weekend win pulls them within five points of the Charlotte Checkers for third spot in the Atlantic Division. This will be the first game of the season played on a Monday, and an afternoon game no less, so with a clean slate and points needed, this could be a chance to start fresh and build momentum. Previous History: With the Bears’ win on Saturday, Belleville’s record against Hershey sits at 0-1-0-0 this season. All-time, the Senators fall to 7-9-1-0 and move to 5-6-0-0 over the last five years. In Saturday’s effort, the Senators fired 42 shots and went 1-for-6 on the man advantage while killing off one of the three Bears power play opportunities. Monday afternoon presents a new opportunity to even the season series and improve their all-time home record of 2-7-0-0 against the Bears. Roster Notes: There’s one transaction to pass along ahead of Monday’s matinee affair. Goaltender Jackson Parsons has been recalled from the Allen Americans of the ECHL and will return to Belleville. The first-year netminder has played 11 games with the Sens’ ECHL affiliate this season, skating to a 4-6-1 record, with one shutout, a 2.40 goals against average, and a .909 save percentage. Otherwise, forward Keean Washkurak will continue to serve his six-game suspension for his role in a post-game incident against the Crunch last weekend; this will be his second game missed. Forward Hayden Hodgson will finish off his five-game suspension from a couple weeks back in Cleveland, this afternoon, possibly drawing back into the lineup as early as Wednesday night against the Crunch. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens’ social channels (@BellevilleSens). Who to Watch: Facing his former team for the first time this season, Hunter Shepard will be one to watch in this reunion. During his tenure with the Bears, Shepard won multiple awards, highlighted by back-to-back Calder Cup Championships and a AHL’s best goaltender of the year award (Baz Bastien Memorial Award). Though he has since moved on, this game will be meaningful, as he spent his entire professional career in the Capitals system prior to joining the Senators. This season, Shepard has posted a 6-7-2 record with a .885 save percentage and a 3.65 goals-against average. The Cohasset, Minnesota native, he has seen firsthand what the Bears can bring on a daily basis, and that familiarity will be key in reading this strong offensive group this afternoon. Clay Stevenson was the “other half” alongside Shepard over the last two seasons and now stands as his opponent at the other end of the ice. It has been a relatively successful year for Stevenson; in 25 games so far, the Capitals’ third-string goaltender has posted a .907 save percentage while remaining a strong presence in the locker room. In what is considered a down year by Hershey’s standards at 21-17-6-2, Stevenson has seen both the best and worst of the franchise and will look to steal another two points in what should be a great battle between the pipes at both ends. Follow the Action: Puck drop this afternoon is set for 3:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 2:50 p.m. with David Foot and Brock Ormond, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, with a free-to-listen option available 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. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on X: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com
After dropping the first game of this two-game long weekend set, the Senators are looking to get some revenge against the Bears on Family Day. In a 6-3 loss Saturday night, in which Belleville outshot Hershey 42–23, the Senators now sit five points back of the final playoff spot, currently held by the Toronto Marlies. Post-game, when asked what was possibly missing when it came to capitalizing on scoring chances, Tyler Boucher mentioned that the Senators need to strike when given the opportunity. “I think we can take some positives from our offensive game”…”We just have to finish on our chances… and it is going to take everybody”. Those 42 shots on Saturday evening were the most taken in a single game this season, with the previous high being 39 back in November against the Marlies. For Belleville, Jan Jenik recorded his fourth goal in his last six outings, while rookie Carter Yakemchuk kept his point streak alive with an assist, now up to three games. On the other side, the Bears’ regulars got into action with Andrew Cristall and Ivan Miroshnichenko each posting two-point nights, while Ilya Protas had the lone assist. Hershey’s weekend win pulls them within five points of the Charlotte Checkers for third spot in the Atlantic Division. This will be the first game of the season played on a Monday, and an afternoon game no less, so with a clean slate and points needed, this could be a chance to start fresh and build momentum. Previous History: With the Bears’ win on Saturday, Belleville’s record against Hershey sits at 0-1-0-0 this season. All-time, the Senators fall to 7-9-1-0 and move to 5-6-0-0 over the last five years. In Saturday’s effort, the Senators fired 42 shots and went 1-for-6 on the man advantage while killing off one of the three Bears power play opportunities. Monday afternoon presents a new opportunity to even the season series and improve their all-time home record of 2-7-0-0 against the Bears. Roster Notes: There’s one transaction to pass along ahead of Monday’s matinee affair. Goaltender Jackson Parsons has been recalled from the Allen Americans of the ECHL and will return to Belleville. The first-year netminder has played 11 games with the Sens’ ECHL affiliate this season, skating to a 4-6-1 record, with one shutout, a 2.40 goals against average, and a .909 save percentage. Otherwise, forward Keean Washkurak will continue to serve his six-game suspension for his role in a post-game incident against the Crunch last weekend; this will be his second game missed. Forward Hayden Hodgson will finish off his five-game suspension from a couple weeks back in Cleveland, this afternoon, possibly drawing back into the lineup as early as Wednesday night against the Crunch. Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Sens’ social channels (@BellevilleSens). Who to Watch: Facing his former team for the first time this season, Hunter Shepard will be one to watch in this reunion. During his tenure with the Bears, Shepard won multiple awards, highlighted by back-to-back Calder Cup Championships and a AHL’s best goaltender of the year award (Baz Bastien Memorial Award). Though he has since moved on, this game will be meaningful, as he spent his entire professional career in the Capitals system prior to joining the Senators. This season, Shepard has posted a 6-7-2 record with a .885 save percentage and a 3.65 goals-against average. The Cohasset, Minnesota native, he has seen firsthand what the Bears can bring on a daily basis, and that familiarity will be key in reading this strong offensive group this afternoon. Clay Stevenson was the “other half” alongside Shepard over the last two seasons and now stands as his opponent at the other end of the ice. It has been a relatively successful year for Stevenson; in 25 games so far, the Capitals’ third-string goaltender has posted a .907 save percentage while remaining a strong presence in the locker room. In what is considered a down year by Hershey’s standards at 21-17-6-2, Stevenson has seen both the best and worst of the franchise and will look to steal another two points in what should be a great battle between the pipes at both ends.
