Game Day Build-Up: Senators look to send out 2022-23 season on a high note

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397
Apr.16/23 @ Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators will put a wrap on the AHL 2022-23 season this afternoon, as they finish the campaign-ending three-in-three in Toronto against the Marlies. Belleville has had a strong final stretch of the season, winning three straight games and earning points in their last four, while scoring seven goals on both Friday night in Rochester and yesterday here in Toronto. The Marlies are trying to re-discover their early-season form after taking a big slide since clinching their playoff berth a month ago and will need to be more disciplined today, after taking seven penalties yesterday, leading to a Belleville franchise record 5 power play goals for in one game.

Previous History:

Belleville’s win on Saturday improved their 2022-23 record against Toronto to 4-6-0-1 and 2-3-0-0 at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Lifetime against the Marlies, the Senators are 32-28-2-3, and 19-11-2-1 in Toronto.

Roster Notes:

There are at least two changes to Belleville’s lineup, following Saturday’s emphatic victory. Captain Dillon Heatherington will return on the blue line, in place of Jonathan Aspirot. Jorian Donovan, who made his professional debut Saturday, will play his 2nd game with the club today, and Mads Sogaard will make his first start for Belleville since February after spending the last three months in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators. Full lineup information will be available closer to game time.

Playoff Push:

After wins Friday night, both the Laval Rocket and Utica Comets have clinched the final two Calder Cup Playoff spots in the North Division, leaving Belleville and Cleveland as the two teams to miss the cut. Positioning between those clinched teams is still to be decided, with more on the overall American Hockey League playoff picture can be found via the daily AHL Playoff Primer.

Who to Watch:

Four Senators are bringing three-game point streaks into the season finale this afternoon, including Jake Lucchini (two goals, one assist), Jacob Larsson (one goal, two assists), Rourke Chartier (four goals, two assists) and John Quenneville (five assists). Lassi Thomson and Roby Jarventie each have points in back-to-back games, with Jarventie scoring once and adding two assists on Saturday. He’s scored on his only shot in each of his last two games played.

There are two Marlies with points in back-to-back games, despite their recent struggles. Both Nick Abruzzese and  Radim Zahorna have an assist in each of their last two games. Joseph Blandisi and veteran forward Kyle Clifford were the only Marlies to score against Belleville on Saturday, while captain Logan Shaw is the highest scoring Marlie against Belleville this season, with 11 points (five goals, six assists).

Follow the action:

Tonight’s game can be seen on AHL TV, or heard live on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, begins at 3:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot and Joel Vanderlaan.

Ticket info:

While there are no home games remaining for the 2022-23 campaign, Season Seat Memberships, Flex Packs and Business Elite Packages are all on sale now, with more information available on the Belleville Sens website.

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