Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs Rocket – April 18, 2022

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators and Laval Rocket have seen each other a lot this season (11 times to be exact), but none of those games will have meant as much as tonight’s contest at CAA Arena, with both teams having found consistent results down the stretch to the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs. Belleville has been battling for playoff contention, earning wins in six-of-10 games since the start of April, including three in a row and three over the North Division-leading Utica Comets.  Laval, meanwhile, has earned a point in seven straight games and is coming off a sweep of a doubleheader on the road against last-placed Cleveland, where they outscored the Monsters 10-2 over two games. As of Monday morning, the Senators are in the fourth-of-five remaining playoff spots and need a win to take another step towards clinching a berth in the postseason, while the Rocket have a steady hold on second place in the division.

Previous History:

The Senators have already won the season series with the Rocket in 2021-22, putting together a record of 7-4-0-0, with a 4-1-0-0 mark at CAA Arena. In their last meeting a week ago, the Rocket picked up their only win in Belleville of the season, beating the Senators 5-1. Lifetime against the Rocket, the Senators have an almost even record of 28-24-1-2 but are 16-9-0-2 at home.

Roster Notes:

The Belleville Sens will be without Zach Senyshyn who was recalled to the NHL Senators following Belleville’s 4-1 win in Utica on Saturday night. It’s Senyshyn’s first recall since he was acquired from the Bruins in a trade back in March, with the Ottawa-native notching two assists in 13 AHL games in Belleville so far. Clark Bishop will also miss tonight’s game after being injured in Utica on Saturday night and is out day-to-day, while Chris Wilkie and Cedric Pare will draw in. Mads Sogaard is expected to start again in goal, after he was returned from the NHL and stopped 25 of 26 shots against the Comets last game. Belleville’s other scratches tonight include Jack Dougherty (IR), Angus Crookshank (IR), Rourke Chartier (IR), Max Guenette and Kevin Mandolese (IR).

Who to Watch:

Viktor Lodin has points in three straight games (two goals, one assist), including goals in back-to-back contests, while Egor Sokolov also has points in back-to-back games (one goal, one assist). Sokolov has also been Belleville’s best offensive threat against Laval this season, notching nine points (three goals, six assists) in eight games played. Jake Lucchini (five goals, three assists), Chris Wilkie (two goals, six assists), and Dillon Heatherington (one goal, seven assists) each have eight points over the season series vs the Rocket.

Jean-Sebastien Dea has been a big part of the Rocket’s recent success, scoring three game-winning goals since the end of March and has eight game-winners this season. He’s also riding a seven-game point streak, with six goals and seven assists over that span. As far as the Rocket players who have done the most damage against the Senators this season, Rafael Harvey-Pinard (two goals, five assists) and Tobie Paquette-Bisson (one goal, six assists) have each registered seven points in the season series.

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 (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.

Ticket info:

CAA Arena is back to 100% capacity, with no vaccine mandate in place. Masks may be worn at fans discretion, as well as by some members of the Senators and CAA Arena staff, but are not currently required. Other local and provincial COVID-19 guidelines must still be followed. Tickets for tonight’s game are available via Ticketmaster or the CAA Arena Box Office (open today 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

Tickets for further Belleville Sens home games this season can be purchased through the same methods. Season Ticket Memberships and Flex Packs are also available with more information available at bellevillesens.com.

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