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Game Day Build-Up: Senators make pit stop at CAA Arena to face Comets, with five-game point streak on the line

March 15, 2023

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397
Mar.15/23 vs Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils)

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators are back at CAA Arena tonight for a quick stop as they continue the playoff push against the Utica Comets. The Sens are coming off a three-game road trip that saw them earn four of a possible six points against Laval, Utica and Lehigh Valley and are hoping to pick up another victory on home ice before hitting the road for Cleveland this weekend. Belleville’s push for the playoffs continues as well, with the Senators sitting just one point back of the playoff cut line to start the week. The Sens have also earned at least a point in five straight games. The Comets, meanwhile, are looking to get hot again after having their seven-game point streak (which included two three-game win streaks) snapped last Sunday.

Previous History:

This is the season finale of the six-game season series between the Sens and Comets, with Belleville still looking for its first win (0-3-2-0). In their most recent meeting last week, Alexander Holtz scored the game-winner in overtime as the Comets picked up a 4-3 victory. Lifetime against the Comets, the Senators are an even 13-13-3-0 and 7-7-1-0 at CAA Arena.

Roster Notes:

The most significant change to the lineup from Sunday in Lehigh Valley is the addition of newly-acquired defenceman Dylan Blujus. The 28-year-old from Buffalo, New York will make his Belleville Sens debut against his former club, after playing 19 games there this season, plus another 123 games with the Comets between 2017-2020. Full lineup information, including tonight’s starting goaltender, will be available prior to puck drop.

Injury Report:

# Name Pos. Last Game Games Missed Notes
7 Viktor Lodin LW Feb.18/23 vs LAV 10 Upper Body
10 Philippe Daoust C Nov.23/22 @ UTC 41 Shoulder
14 Rourke Chartier C Feb.2/23 vs ROC 16 Lower Body
26 Brennan Saulnier C Feb.20/23 vs LAV 9 Upper Body
35 Antoine Bibeau G Feb.20/23 vs LAV 9
49 Scott Sabourin RW Feb.17/23 vs LAV 11 Lower Body


Who to Watch:

Belleville Defender Lassi Thomson (three goals, two assists) and forward Roby Jarventie (two goals, one assist) each bring three-game point streaks into tonight’s matchup. John Quenneville continued his steady play on Saturday at Lehigh Valley, scoring twice, while defenceman Max Guenette had a three-game point streak snapped. Forward Mitch Heard got on the score sheet for the first time as a Senator last weekend, notching two assists on Saturday evening.

Comets forward Alexander Holtz has been making a significant impact since returning to Utica and is on a four-game point streak (three goals, three assists). Rookie defender Simon Nemec has also scored in each of Utica’s last three games, while Brian Halonen, a former college teammate of Sens forward Jake Lucchini at Michigan Tech University, has points in back-to-back games (one goal, one assist).

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 begins at 6:45 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.

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