Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs Moose – December 4, 2021

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

Coming off a loss on the road in Utica on Wednesday, the Belleville Senators will look for some more success at home this weekend against a Canadian rival. The Senators welcome the Manitoba Moose to CAA Arena, for games on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Manitoba’s only trip to Belleville this season. The Sens have been on a bit of a pre-holiday surge, winners of seven of their last 10 games, but the Moose will prove to be a tough test. Manitoba is also 7-3 in their last 10 games and the Moose are coming off a two-game sweep of Texas last weekend.

Previous History:

This is lifetime meeting number 23 between the Belleville Sens and Manitoba Moose. Belleville’s overall record is 11-8-3-0 and 6-5-1-0 at CAA Arena. These two teams haven’t played since May 16, 2021, when Belleville won 6-4, finishing off a four-game sweep of the Moose in Ottawa. The Sens were 5-4-1-0 against Manitoba during the pandemic-shortened season.

Roster Notes:

Some minor changes have been made to Belleville’s roster, from Wednesday night in Syracuse. Phil Daoust will draw back in after getting a night off, as will Matt Wedman, with Chris Wilkie and Cedric Pare sitting out. Xavier Bernard also returns after Dillon Heatherington was recalled to the NHL Senators in Ottawa earlier today. Rourke Chartier is continuing the comeback from an injury and is still not quite ready to dress, while Pontus Aberg, Mitch Hoelscher and Jonathan Aspirot are still out with long-term ailments.

Who to Watch:

Many eyes will be on the Belleville Senators crease, where Matt Murray is expected to get the start tonight. The 27 year-old joined Belleville earlier this week, from Ottawa, and is looking to regain his form that helped the Pittsburgh Penguins to a pair of Stanley Cup championships. Belleville Sens captain Logan Shaw also makes his home debut this season, after being returned from Ottawa as well. He’ll play on a line with Andrew Agozzino and Parker Kelly.

For the Moose, Forward Nicholas Jones has three assists in his last two games, while Austin Poganski is on a six game point streak (two goals, six assists). Manitoba forward Cole Perfetti always seems to draw some attention, as a highly touted prospect for the Winnipeg Jets, but will also be watched closely tonight after being named this week to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp.

Follow the action:

Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be heard on the Belleville Sens official broadcast partner 800 AM CJBQ, with Jack Miller and David Foot(Broadcast time is 6:50 p.m.). The game can also be streamed live on AHL TV.

Don’t forget to download the Belleville Senators app before game time and follow the Sens social media (@BellevilleSens) for updates.

At the rink:

It’s Rosebush Energies Food Drive Night at CAA Arena! Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Gleaners Food Bank. Gleaners Food Bank operates the Tri-County Warehouse that serves 7 other area food banks, multiple non-profit agencies and other organizations.

Ticket info:

Single game tickets for the 2021-22 Belleville Senators season are now on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster, by stopping by the CAA Arena Box Office. Season Ticket Memberships and Flex Packs are also available with more information available at bellevillesens.com.