Game Day Build-Up: IceHogs make only trip to CAA Arena this season, as Sens continue homestand

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397
Mar.3/23 vs Rockford IceHogs (NHL Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Sens three-game homestand continues tonight as they get a chance for some revenge against the Rockford IceHogs while looking to regroup from Wednesday’s defeat to Utica. However, tonight’s opponent is a much different-looking IceHogs team than the one that defeated Belleville 8-2 in Rockford back at the end of October. With Chicago clearing house, some of the Hogs’ top performers have been recalled to the NHL, with a few new faces in the fold as well. The Sens will try to capitalize on a potential lack of chemistry and bring a better effort than they did mid-week as they continue to try and climb towards a playoff spot on Road to the AHL Night presented by Mackay Insurance at CAA Arena.

Previous History:

Tonight’s matchup marks just the fourth time in franchise history that the Sens and IceHogs have gone at it and Rockford’s second-ever visit to CAA Arena. Belleville’s lifetime record against Rockford is 2-1-0-0, with that one loss coming earlier this season when the IceHogs beat up on the Sens 8-2 at BMO Harris Bank Center.

Roster Notes:

There are a couple of changes to Belleville’s roster from Wednesday’s loss, including one returnee from injury and one from the National Hockey League. Defenceman Jacob Larsson is back from Ottawa, while forward Matthew Wedman is off the IR and could play his first game since New Year’s Eve in Utica when he suffered a lower-body injury. Should he slot in, that would mark a return from a 21-game layoff. The Senators also signed forward Max Newton to another professional tryout this morning after he played one game for the Belleville in Hershey last weekend. Full lineup information will be available closer to puck drop, but as of this morning, Kevin Mandolese is expected to start in net and be backed up by Dylan Ferguson.

Injury Report:

Who to Watch:

Roby Jarventie continues to be the most consistent scorer for Belleville, finding the net six times over his last six games. Jarventie had Belleville’s only goal on Wednesday, scoring just a couple of minutes into the game. Cole Reinhardt brings a three-game point streak into tonight’s game (two goals, one assist), while Egor Sokolov has points in back-to-back games (two goals, one assist). Despite riding a four-game pointless streak, Angus Crookshank had six shots on net in Wednesday’s loss to Utica.

The IceHogs have made a bunch of roster moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline, but we won’t see many of the new acquisitions in the lineup tonight, including veteran forward Rocco Grimaldi. Centreman Luke Philp has three goals over his last three games, while defender Alex Vlasic had two assists in Rockford’s last game, a 5-3 loss at Toronto on Wednesday. Goaltender Jaxson Stauber, who’s expected to start tonight, has been impressive in six NHL games with Chicago as well, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.81 goals against average and .911 save percentage.

Follow the action:

Today’s game can be seen on AHL TV or heard live on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from CAA Arena begins at 6:45 p.m. (ET) with David Foot and Joel Vanderlaan.

Ticket info:

Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games are available via Ticketmaster or at the CAA Arena Box Office, with more information on group experiences, promotional packs and more, available on the Belleville Sens website.

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