Game Day Build-Up: Sens return home for weekend double-dip with Rocket

Nov.25/22 vs Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

Another crucial divisional back-to-back begins tonight for the Belleville Senators, as they welcome the Laval Rocket for a pair of games at CAA Arena tonight and tomorrow. The Sens have lost back-to-back games, following a three-game win streak, and have dropped to fifth in the North Division, while Laval is also struggling for consistency, alternating wins and losses over their last five games and trail Belleville in the standings by just two points. However, Belleville has two games in hand, at this early point in the season. It’s Carpenters Union Night at CAA Arena, which includes a free Belleville Sens measuring tape giveaway at the door.

Previous History:

Tonight’s game is the fourth of 12 meetings this season between the Sens and Rocket, with Belleville winning all three prior matchups this year. The Senators picked up 6-5 (OT) and 6-3 on October 15 and 16, taking both games of a season opening home-and-home series, followed by another 3-2 win in Laval on October 26. Lifetime against Laval is 32-24-1-2, with an 18-9-2-0 mark at CAA Arena.

Roster Notes:

After injuries to Philippe Daoust and Kristians Rubins in Utica on Wednesday, the Senators have made two more roster moves ahead of tonight’s game. Defenceman Zachary Massicotte has been recalled from the Sens ECHL affiliate in Texas, the Allen Americans, while forward Brandon Cutler has been signed to a professional tryout offer from the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies.

Injury Report:

Who to Watch:

Senators’ defenceman Jacob Larsson is playing in his 150^th career AHL game tonight. The 25-year-old from Ljungby, Sweden, has also dressed in 168 NHL games, splitting time over the last few seasons between the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) and the San Diego Gulls (AHL). He’s also played three NHL games for Ottawa since joining the Senators this past summer. Larsson has three assists and a minus-10 rating in 13 games this season with Belleville.

Rocket forward Rem Pitlick has five points (one goal, four assists) in six games since joining the Rocket from the Montreal Canadiens, where he appeared in seven NHL games this season. Pitlick was claimed by the Habs off waivers from Minnesota last season and spent the entire 2021-22 campaign in the NHL, registering 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 66 games. His father Lance has ties to the Senators organization as well, as a former alternate captain, who played 228 games on the Sens blueline between 1994 and 1999.

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.

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