Game Day Build-Up: Senators look to extend win streak as road trip continues in Utica

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397
Mar.10/23 @ Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators are certainly peaking at the right time, as they begin the final 15-game stretch of the 2022-23 American Hockey League regular season. Following their 4-1 win in Laval on Wednesday, the Sens are just one point back of the final playoff spot in the North Division as they make their final visit to Utica tonight to take on the Comets. Belleville has won three straight games and eight of their last 11, as the team continues to gel under interim Head Coach David Bell. The Comets are also streaking, though, earning points in five straight games as they try to stake claim to second place in the division and a better matchup in the first round.

Previous History:

The Comets have had the Senators’ number in their six-game season series so far, with Belleville skating to a 0-3-1-0 record. Their most recent meeting was just over a week ago when the Comets beat the Sens 4-1 at CAA Arena. Lifetime against Utica, Belleville is 13-13-2-0, with a 6-6-1-0 record at the Adirondack Bank Center. The two teams will finish their season series back in Belleville next week, when the Comets return to CAA Arena on March 15.

Roster Notes:

With the Senators riding a three-game win streak, there may not be many changes to the Belleville lineup tonight in the interest of chemistry. That means forward Graham McPhee, who was acquired in a trade for defenceman Xavier Bernard earlier in the week, may not make his Belleville Sens debut tonight. Interim Head Coach David Bell has also yet to name a starting goaltender for tonight, after Dylan Ferguson left Wednesday’s game in the second period. Full lineup information will be available prior to puck drop.

Injury Report:

Who to Watch:

Senators forwards Angus Crookshank (two goals, two assists) and John Quenneville (one goal, three assists) are each carrying three-game point streaks into tonight’s contest. Crookshank had two assists on Wednesday, while Quenneville chipped in with a power play helper and three shots on goal. Defenceman Lassi Thomson also scored twice Wednesday, finding the net for the first time since November 12. Fellow rearguard Max Guenette has points in back-to-back games (two assists), while Jake Lucchini and Roby Jarventie both snapped mini-pointless slumps, with Lucchini registering two assists Wednesday and Jarventie scoring with four shots on net.

For the Comets, forward Graeme Clarke has been extremely productive of late, putting up eight points (four goals, four assists) over his last four games and leads the team in scoring. Defenceman Reilly Walsh had three assists in Utica’s 6-4 win over the Syracuse Crunch last Sunday, while Nolan Foote had two helpers. Forward Jack Dugan has been the most effective scorer against Belleville this season with five points (two goals, three assists) in three games.

Follow the action:

Tonight’s game can be seen on AHL TV or heard live on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from Adirondack Bank Center begins at 6:45 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