Game Day Build-Up: March 4, 2022 – Senators vs Americans

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

As the 2022 American Hockey League Season heads into the stretch drive the Belleville Senators continue their busy month of March, with a couple of crucial contests this weekend, against the Rochester Americans tonight and tomorrow. If the Calder Cup Playoffs started today, the Sens and Amerks would be facing off in a best-of-three first round series, but both teams are battling to get into the top three seeds, which would earn them a bye through the first round. The Sens are coming off a  3-2 overtime win in Hartford this past Wednesday, while the Americans dropped a 6-3 decision at home to Syracuse, also on Wednesday.

Previous History:

The Senators and Amerks are halfway through their eight-game season series with Belleville holding a 3-1-0-0 advantage, but this is just Rochester’s second visit to CAA Arena in 2021-22. The Sens have won the only game of the season here in Belleville and are 2-1-0-0 against the Amerks at Blue Cross Arena. Lifetime against Rochester, the Senators are 12-8-2-0, with a 4-4-2-0 record at home.

Roster Notes:

The Belleville Sens will get a bit of a boost up front tonight as Egor Sokolov returns from a shoulder injury suffered a couple weeks back. Scott Sabourin will also be inserted into the lineup after being reassigned from Ottawa earlier this week. Cedric Pare and Maxence Guenette will be the only two players who dressed in Hartford, that won’t play tonight. Other Belleville scratches include Jack Dougherty, Tyrell Goulbourne and Mads Sogaard.

Who to Watch:

Belleville forward Chris Wilkie brings a three-game point streak into tonight’s game (one goal, three assists), while Rourke Chartier also seems to be heating up again, potting a pair of goals on Wednesday including the overtime winner. Defenceman Michael Del Zotto also has points in back-to-back games (one goal, two assists), with a goal and an assist in Hartford on Wednesday.

Rochester boasts a number of highly touted Buffalo Sabres prospects, including JJ Peterka, who has five points (one goal, four assists) in his last two games played. Finnish forward Arttu Ruotsalainen also has five points in his last two games (four goals, one assist), while Mitch Eliot (three assists) and Brett Murray (two assists) also have points in back-to-back games.

Follow the action:

Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be heard on the Belleville Sens Official Broadcast Partner 800 AM CJBQ, with Jack Miller David Foot (Broadcast time is 6:50 p.m.). The game can also be streamed live on AHL TV.

Don’t forget to download the Belleville Senators app before game time and follow the Sens social media (@BellevilleSens) for updates.

Ticket info:

CAA Arena is back to 100% capacity, with no vaccine mandate in place. Other local and provincial COVID-19 guidelines must still be followed, including the wearing of masks inside CAA Arena, unless actively eating or drinking.  Tickets for tonight’s game are available via Ticketmaster or the CAA Arena Box Office (open today 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

Tickets for further Belleville Sens home games this season can be purchased through the same methods. Season Ticket Memberships and Flex Packs are also available with more information available at bellevillesens.com.

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