game day Share this Game Day Build Up: Belleville Sens try for back-to-back wins to open 2022-23 October 15, 2022 Oct.15/22 @ Laval Rocket Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397 The Set-Up: The Belleville Senators have only played one game in this 2022-23 American Hockey League season, but their resilience is already starting to show. After going up 4-1 in the second period of the season opener in Laval, the Rocket stormed back to force overtime, leading to a Rourke Chartier overtime winner. The victory was Belleville’s first on opening night in franchise history. Tonight, the season series with the Rocket shifts back to Belleville, where the Senators will open the home portion of their schedule, looking to go 2-0 for the first time since moving to Belleville. Gamet time is 7:00 p.m., with Fan Fest activities, including the player’s red carpet meet and greet, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Previous History: With their win in Laval last night, Belleville’s record against the Rocket lifetime improves to 29-25-1-2, with a 1-0-0-0 start to the season series. More than half of those lifetime wins have come at CAA Arena, which seems to be a difficult destination for the Rocket, with Belleville holding a 14-6-0-2 advantage on home ice against Laval. Roster Notes: It didn’t take long for the injury bug to bite the Sens, with two players already injured prior to last night’s game and another pair leaving the game in Laval. Mads Sogaard was removed from the game less than five minutes in, after taking a knee to the head from Rafael Harvey-Pinard, who was crashing the crease. Ridly Greig also left the game following the first period, with Head Coach Troy Mann saying postgame that Greig “tweaked something” and would be re-evaluated today. Other injuries include Jonathan Aspirot, who won’t play until at least December after undergoing summertime shoulder surgery and Matt Wedman, who may play Wednesday as he works his way back from injury. With that in mind, Belleville will go with 11 forwards and seven defenders tonight and Antoine Bibeau will make his Belleville Sens debut in goal. Who to Watch: Rourke Chartier was the overtime hero for Belleville last night and will be looked upon to provide that same kind of clutch leadership again. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has 10 game-winning goals in his AHL career, including one last season. He also had a few shootout winners for Belleville in 2021-22. On the Rocket side, Jesse Ylonen was a pest against the Sens on Friday. A 2nd round NHL draft pick by Montreal in 2018, Ylonen had a goal and seven shots on net. He also had three points (one goal, two assists) in six games against Belleville last season. Follow the action: You can watch tonight’s game free as part of the AHL TV Opening Weekend Freeview, with audio coverage available via the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. David Foot and Joel Vanderlaan will have the call, with pregame coverage starting at 6:50 p.m. Ticket info: Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games are available via Ticketmaster or at the CAA Arena Box Office. Belleville Sens Season Seat Members already have tickets to all three games. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens
