Game Day Build-Up: Senators set for critical weekend series in Cleveland

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397
Mar.18/23 @ Cleveland Monsters (NHL Affiliate: Columbus Blue Jackets)

The Set-Up:

With a dozen games to go and riding a current league-long six-game point streak, the Belleville Senators roll into Cleveland this weekend for two crucial meetings with the Cleveland Monsters. Following their 4-3 win over the Utica Comets at home on Wednesday, the Senators enter the weekend with a one-point lead on Laval for the final playoff spot in the North Division. However, the Monsters aren’t far behind and are riding a three-game point streak of their own. That stretch has Cleveland just two points back of Belleville, despite being last in the division, with three games in hand.

Previous History:

The Senators return to “The Land” just about a month after the Monsters swept a two-game set in their previous visit and have just one victory in the six-game season series (1-3-0-0). That only win came back at CAA Arena, in a wild 8-7 shootout, on November 16, 2022. Lifetime against the Monsters, the Senators are 9-10-0-1, with a 4-6-0-0 record at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Roster Notes:

The Senators’ offence has been steady of late but will get an added boost tonight as Rourke Chartier returns from a 17-game injury layoff. The 26-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan recorded 20 points (14 goals, six assists) in 28 games before being hurt on February 2 and has also played in six games with the NHL parent club in Ottawa this season. He’ll likely slot in for John Quenneville, who didn’t make the trip. Mitch Heard will return from his illness as well, while Dylan Ferguson is expected to start in goal for the Senators. Full lineup information will be available prior to puck drop.

Injury Report:

Who to Watch:

The Dynamic Finnish duo of Roby Jarventie (three goals, one assist) and Lassi Thomson (four goals, two assists) continue to be the most consistent Senators offensively as both extended their point streaks to four games on Wednesday. Cole Cassels was a major key for Belleville in Wednesday’s win as well, assisting on all four of the Senators’ goals on the night. Defender Jacob Bernard-Docker also snapped an 11-game pointless streak on Wednesday, scoring his second goal of the season.

Monsters forward Trey Fix-Wolansky is riding an impressive seven-game point streak coming into tonight (four goals, six assists). He also has eight points (four goals, four assists) in the season series against Belleville. Right behind Fix-Wolansky in terms of recent consistency is budding young forward Yegor Chinakov, who has a five-game point streak (three goals, four assists). The former first round NHL Draft pick (21^st overall in 2020) has spent the majority of his pro career in North America with the Monsters’ NHL parent club in Columbus, with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 30 games.

Follow the action:

Tonight’s game can be seen on AHL TV, or heard live on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, 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.

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