game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators host Monsters for critical pair of games this week April 5, 2023 Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397 Apr.5/23 vs Cleveland Monsters (NHL Affiliate: Columbus Blue Jackets) The Set-Up: Coming off a busy three-in-three weekend, that saw them pick up three of a possible six points, the Belleville Senators play just twice this week, against the same opponent, and both games have major playoff implications. The Senators host the Cleveland Monsters at CAA Arena tonight (and again on Friday) and will need a solid performance and two points, to keep pace in the playoff hunt. The Monsters had been hot, earning points in seven of 10 games, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Hershey Bear and were outscored 7-1 over those two games. With Belleville and Cleveland tied on points, a Senators win tonight would push them closer to the division’s fifth and final playoff spot, while a loss would see the Monsters jump ahead with just four games to play in the regular season and two games in hand. Previous History: This is the 7th of eight meetings between the Sens and Monsters this season, with Belleville holding a 2-4-0-0 record against their Lake Erie rivals, with a 1-1-0-0 mark at CAA Arena. Lifetime against Cleveland, Belleville is 10-11-0-1 and 5-4-0-1 at home. Roster Notes: Full lineup information will be available prior to puck drop. Playoff Push: The Senators start the week in 6th place in the AHL’s North Division, three points back of the Laval Rocket for the final playoff spot. The Sens are tied with Cleveland at 65 points, but the Monsters have two games in hand and will play one of those on Friday in Laval before returning to Belleville on Saturday. More information on the playoff push can be found via the American Hockey League Playoff Primer. Who to Watch: Forward Angus Crookshank is the only Senator on a significant point streak heading into tonight’s game, as he has notched points in four straight games (two goals, two assists), with an assist and four shots on goal in Toronto on Sunday. Rourke Chartier scored Sunday for his first goal in six games since his return from an injury, while Matt Wedman also scored to snap a five-game pointless streak. The Monsters get a couple of players back from their NHL affiliate in Columbus following the Blue Jackets’ loss in Toronto last night. All-Star defenceman Jake Christiansen leads that group, along with goaltender Jet Greaves. The Cleveland lineup also boasts first-round draft pick David Jiricek (6th overall in 2022) and offensive threat Trey Fix-Wolansky, who is tied for 5th in AHL points (67) and has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in five games against Belleville 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 CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario, begins at 6:50 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. — 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
