game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators continue playoff push in Syracuse March 31, 2023 Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397 Mar.31/23 @ Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning) The Set-Up: The Belleville Senators winding road towards a playoff berth weaves through Syracuse tonight, as the Sens begin an important-three-in-three weekend against the Crunch. Belleville has dropped three straight decisions and has fallen back to 7th in the North Division, but is still just three points behind Cleveland for the 5th and final playoff spot. The Crunch, meanwhile, are coming off an emphatic win over Utica as they try to solidify their playoff position near the top of the north, trailing the Comets by just one point for second place. Previous History: Tonight’s matchup marks the season finale in the six-game season series between the Sens and Crunch, with Belleville holding a 3-2-0-0 record so far this season. The Senators have won the last three meetings, including a 4-2 victory at CAA Arena on February 15, 2023, as Interim Head Coach David Bell notched his first win. Lifetime against the Crunch, the Senators are 13-15-2-1 and have just a 3-9-2-1 record in Syracuse. Roster Notes: After a pair of injuries in Ottawa last night, there are discussions around how Belleville can help to fill the voids left with the NHL club. With that in mind, full roster information will be available prior to puck drop. Who to Watch: Senators forward Jake Lucchini is back on another three-game point streak (one goal, two assists), after earning a helper last Saturday against Milwaukee, while forward Angus Crookshank scored his team-leading 24th goal of the season last weekend and defender Jonathan Aspirot also found the back of the net. Crunch forward and former Kingston Frontenacs’ standout Lucas Edmonds is coming off a big game for Syracuse, scoring twice and adding an assist against Utica last weekend. Alex Barre-Boulet is always a threat, sitting 3rd in AHL scoring with 71 points, while blueliners Darren Raddysh (2nd) and Trevor Carrick (14th) are both among the leaders in AHL defensive scoring this season. Follow the action: Tonight’s game can be seen on AHL TV, or heard live on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York, begins at 6:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot. 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. — 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 Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com
