Game Day Build-Up: Senators at Comets – December 1, 2021

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

After picking up six of a possible six points last week, the Belleville Senators begin another three-game week in enemy territory tonight, as they visit the top team in the American Hockey League, the Utica Comets. The Senators are coming off wins on the road against Syracuse and Laval, along with a home win over the Rocket last week. Utica, meanwhile, won back-to-back games in Charlotte last weekend, after having their AHL record 13-game win streak snapped by Rochester earlier in the week.

Previous History:

The Senators and Comets have only played once so far this season, with Utica picking up a 4-1 win at CAA Arena, on November 14. That victory extended Utica’s streak to 10 wins at the time. Tonight’s matchup is the second of six meetings between the two teams this season, with the next coming back in Belleville later this month (December 21). Lifetime, the Senators have a 10-9-0-0 record against the Comets, with an even 4-4-0-0 record at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica.

Roster Notes:

Head Coach Troy Mann has called tonight’s roster “the best lineup we’ve been able to put on paper so far this season”, with captain Logan Shaw and Parker Kelly also returning from Ottawa, along with key additions from last week including Colby Williams, Scott Sabourin, Clark Bishop and others. The Sens will be without Kole Sherwood, who was traded by Ottawa to Nashville on Tuesday, and they’ll also be missing Rourke Chartier, Jonathan Aspirot, Mitch Hoelscher and Pontus Aberg, due to injury. Mads Sogaard is expected to make the start in net, despite two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray being assigned to Belleville from Ottawa. Murray is will likely make his first appearance for the Belleville Sens at home on Saturday, against Manitoba. Xavier Bernard, Philippe Daoust and Matt Matt Wedman are all healthy scratches, while Tyrell Goulbourne is away from the team to deal with some family matters.

Who to Watch:

A handful of Belleville Sens are on individual streaks, along with the team’s four-game win streak. Egor Sokolov extended his point streak (two goals, five assists) to a season-high four games last weekend and will look to keep that trend going tonight. Jake Lucchini has six points in his last three games (three goals, three assists), Chris Wilkie has four points in his last three games (two goals, three assists). Five other Belleville Sens have points in back-to-back games, including Dillon Heatherington, who has registered seven assists from the blueline in the past two games.

For The Comets, Alexander Holtz is on a three-game point streak (one goal, three assists), while Fabian Zetterlund is on a three game point streak (two goals, one assist), that stretches to back before a four-game call-up to the New Jersey Devils. Defenceman Reilly Walsh had a six-game point streak (two goals, four assists) snapped in the Comets win over Charlotte last weekend.

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 (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:

Single game tickets for the 2021-22 Belleville Senators season are now on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster, by stopping by the CAA Arena Box Office. Season Ticket Memberships and Flex Packs are also available with more information available at bellevillesens.com.