Gabriel’s Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Belleville Sens look for Winning Wednesday points against Laval

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 vs Laval Rocket (AHL affiliate: Montreal Canadiens)

The set-up:

The Belleville Senators continue a stretch of important early-season divisional matchups tonight as they welcome the Laval Rocket to CAA Arena for the first Winning Wednesday of the season. Belleville picked up one point last weekend, after an overtime loss to Toronto in the home opener Saturday, and a regulation defeat to Syracuse the following afternoon, which saw Wyatt Bongiovanni, Cameron Crotty, and Lassi Thomson all score their first goals of the season. Tonight, the Sens look for their first victory against the Rocket, who, after losing their first game of the season, have rattled off three straight wins. Their most recent wins came against the defending Calder Cup Champion Abbotsford Canucks, in which Laval outscored Abbotsford 8-2 over their two-game set at Place Bell.

Previous History:

This is the first of eight meetings this season between Belleville and Laval, and the 92nd since the two teams joined the AHL together in 2017-18. Belleville had an even 4-4-1-1 record against Laval last season and is 48-36-3-4 against their rivals from Quebec over their first 91 matchups. The majority of those wins have come at home, with the Senators holding a 25-14-2-4 record over the Rocket on home ice. The two clubs will meet again in Belleville on November 9, before the Senators head to Place Bell for the first time this season on November 21 and 22.

Roster Notes:

The Senators made another forward swap between the AHL and NHL following last Sunday’s game against Syracuse. Forward Olle Lycksell was recalled from his loan to Belleville, back to Ottawa, while forward Arthur Kaliyev was loaned back to Belleville. The Sens goaltending tandem heading into the week is Leevi Merilainen, who played last Sunday, and Hunter Shephard, who’s still looking to make his home debut for Belleville. No word on who gets the call in net tonight, with full lineup details available via the Senators social media feeds (@BellevilleSens) at the start of warm-up, about half an hour before puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Belleville Sens fans are hoping Wyatt Bongiovanni’s first goal of the season last Sunday will get his offence up and running. The 26-year-old from Birmingham, Michigan notched 22 goals in 2024-25 and was tied for Belleville’s team g0al scoring lead. Meanwhile, defender Cam Crotty scored his first of the season last weekend as well, for his 50th career AHL point. It was the first goal for the stay-at-home defenceman since he was with the Tucson Roadrunners in the 2023-24 season. Sens forward Oskar Pettersson also played in his 100th AHL game last Sunday, and scored his first of the season in the home opener last Saturday. Forward Tyler Boucher also brings a three-game point streak (one goal, two assists) into tonight’s matchup.

Laval’s has seen some player movement to and from its NHL affiliate in Montreal as well, including top scorer Joshua Roy being called back up to the Candiens. Roy had four points (three goals, one assist) over the Rocket’s first four contests. Co-leading scorers Laurent Dauphin (two goals, two assists), and Alex Belzile (one goal, three assists) are still with the Rocket, as is former Quinte Red Devil Owen Beck, who was returned from the NHL this week. Beck has two points (one goal, one assist) in three games with Laval this season and has dressed twice for Montreal.

At the Rink:

It’s the first Winning Wednesday Night of the season at CAA Arena, which means, if the Senators win tonight, so do you! All fans who purchase a ticket and attend tonight’s game will receive a free ticket for the next Wednesday game (October 29 vs Rochester) if the Senators win! Plus, fans can shop the latest styles in Senators gear (including the new Ottawa, red third jersey) at the Locker Room Store before the game, or at merchandise stands inside the rink.

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 p.m. ET with David Foot and Brock Ormond, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for the all Belleville Sens home games in the first half of the 2025-26 season 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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