Share this Game Day Build-Up: Sens continue homestand with visit from Monsters November 16, 2022 Nov.16/22 vs Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets) Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397 The Set-Up: A four-game divisional homestand continues for the Belleville Senators (5-6-1-0) tonight, as they welcome the Cleveland Monsters (7-5-0-0) to CAA Arena, for the first game of their season series on the first Winning Wednesday of 2022-23. The matchup kicks off a three-game week for the Sens, who are coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Rochester Americans last Saturday. The Monsters’ last game also ended in an extra-time victory over Rochester, when Cleveland earned a 6-5 overtime win at Blue Cross Arena, last Friday night. Previous History: The Senators and Monsters have met 16 times since Belleville joined the American Hockey League, with the Sens holding a narrow 8-7-0-1 lead in the lifetime series. The Senators have a 3-4-0-1 record against the Monsters at CAA Arena, with an even 4-4-0-0 mark on the road. The two clubs split the 2022-23 season series 2-2-0-0. Roster Notes: There will be a new face debuting with the Sens tonight, after Belleville acquired forward Brennan Saulnier from the Laval Rocket on Tuesday. Belleville Sens General Manager Ryan Bowness calls Saulnier “a tough and energetic character player, who will be able to help out on special teams and add some overall depth to our forward group,” with Head Coach Troy Mann agreeing that “he’s going to help the bottom of our lineup as a physical player, who’s not afraid to mix it up and skates very well, which will help our penalty kill”. Forwards Jarid Lukosevicius and Kyle Betts will be healthy scratches for the first time since their respective call-ups from the ECHL late last month. Antoine Bibeau will make his second consecutive start and third straight appearance in the Belleville net tonight. Injury Report: Some positive news for the Senators in terms of the injured list this week, as forward Viktor Lodin is set to return to the lineup tonight, ahead of schedule. The 23-year-old Swedish forward missed the last seven games due to injury and is hoped to be able to boost the Belleville offence, “(the coaching staff) told him we think he can be a game changer at this level,” said Belleville Sens Head Coach Troy Mann. Otherwise, Mann says forward Roby Jarventie “had a setback” this week and is still listed as week-to-week. As is Jayce Hawryluk, who is a few weeks away from getting a cast off of his wrist. Mann says they hope to get goaltender Kevin Mandolese back by the weekend, while they’re taking a “wait and see approach” with fellow netminder Mads Søgaard. Defender Jonathan Aspirot is still out long-term, and Cory Conacher is still listed as day-to-day. Who to Watch: Belleville forward Cole Reinhardt will be looking to find the scoresheet tonight after seeing his mini two-game point streak end last Saturday against Rochester. The Irricana, Alberta native notched his 50th career AHL point, with an assist in Syracuse last Friday and has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 12 games so far. He’s also among the Senators leaders in ice time, averaging just under 18 minutes per game. Russian rookie Kirill Marchenko is pacing the Monsters attack through 14 points (eight goals, six assists) through 12 games played. Coming into tonight’s contest, the 22-year-old is 11th in the American Hockey League scoring race and leads all rookies in overall points (14), goals (eight), power play goals (four), and shots (37). Follow the action: Tonight’s game can be seen on AHL TV, or heard live on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage starts 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.
