Game Day Build-Up: Senators settle into Toronto for final two games of 2022-23

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397
Apr.15/23 @ Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set-Up:

After scoring seven times on Friday night in a win over the Rochester Americans, the Belleville Sens are back in Toronto this afternoon, for the first of back-to-back games to finish the 2022-23 season. Rourke Chartier had a hat trick Friday, while Egor Sokolov and Cole Cassels each had three point nights and Leevi Merilainen stayed unbeaten in net, helping the Sens to their third straight game with a point. The Marlies have been trending in the opposite direction, winning just one game since clinching their berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs back on St. Patrick’s Day. As part of that drought, the Marlies have lost three straight games, including a 6-3 defeat at Laval in their last matchup on Wednesday.

Previous History:

This afternoon’s contest is the penultimate match in the 12-game season series between Belleville and Toronto. The Senators were the victims of Toronto’s only win on their recent slide, falling to the Marlies 6-2 at Coca-Cola Coliseum, on April 2. That loss dropped the Sens record against the Marlies this season to 3-6-0-1, while the lifetime record fell to 31-28-2-3 and 18-11-2-1 in Toronto.

Roster Notes:

Roster details have not yet been made available, with more information prior to puck drop. Sens Coach David Bell said rookie defender Jorian Donovan who was recently assigned to Belleville from Ottawa, could make his AHL debut this weekend, but no word yet on if that will happen today. It’s also unclear who will start in goal, after Leevi Merilainen earned his third straight win in Rochester last night.

Playoff Push:

After wins last 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:

Rourke Chartier scored his first career AHL hat-trick last night and Belleville’s third this season (Jarid Lukosevicius and Egor Sokolov) and is starting to round into form after a long injury layoff, even though the season is just about over. Chartier has five points (three goals, two assists) over his last five games played. Meanwhile Egor Sokolov, who had three points last night, has set a new Belleville Sens record for assists (79) and is just two more helpers away from tying the franchise record for assists in a season (40) held by Drake Batherson.

Marlies Captain Logan Shaw had a goal and four shots on net in Toronto’s last game, but more impressively, was named the American Hockey League’s Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award winner this week, as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. Pontus Holmberg also had two points (one goal, one assist) for Toronto on Wednesday, while Semyon Der-Arguchintsev pitched in with a goal and four shots.

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.

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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