game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Sens welcome Syracuse to start critical four-game homestand February 15, 2023 Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397 Feb.15/23 vs Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning) The Set-Up: After a rough weekend in Cleveland, the Belleville Senators are set to settle in at CAA Arena for the next four games as they begin what could be the most critical stretch of their season so far. The Senators enter the week on a three-game slide, sitting eight points back of the playoff cut line and will kick off this homestand tonight against the Syracuse Crunch, who are 10 points ahead. Despite holding on to that third spot in the North Division, the Crunch enter tonight’s game on a four-game skid themselves and are trying to avoid being passed by Rochester and Laval, who are just behind them. Previous History: Tonight’s 5th of 6 meetings between the Sens and Crunch this season, with the season series tied 2-2-0-0 so far. Belleville has earned wins of 6-4 at home (Dec.2/22) and 3-2 in a shootout away (Jan.6/23), while the Crunch’s victories have also been close. Syracuse has won 4-2 on home ice this season (Nov.11/22) and 5-4 at CAA Arena (Nov.19/22). Roster Notes: The only change to Belleville’s lineup tonight sees Logan Flodell dress as backup to Antoine Bibeau after Kevin Mandolese was called up to Ottawa on the weekend. Interim Head Coach David Bell will shuffle his lines a bit to look for offensive chemistry, as the Sens have only scored eight times over their current three-game skid. Defenceman Jack Dougherty was also released from his PTO this morning. Injury Report: # Name Pos. Last Game Games Missed Timeline Notes 8 Jayce Hawryluk RW Jan.13/23 vs TOR 7 6-8 Weeks Foot 10 Philippe Daoust C Nov.23/22 @ UTC 28 Season Ending Shoulder 11 Kyle Betts C Feb.4/23 vs ROC 3 Long Term Lower Body 14 Rourke Chartier C Feb.2/23 vs ROC 3 Long Term Lower Body 20 Matt Wedman C Dec.31/22 @ UTC 13 Long Term Lower Body Who to Watch: Sens forward Cole Cassels is back on a point streak, finding the scoresheet in three straight games (one goal, three assists). The veteran forward has 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in his last 14 games, which also included his career-long seven-game point streak last month. Angus Crookshank has also nudged his way into the 15th spot on the AHL rookie scoring list with 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) and has three points (two goals, one assist) in his last three games played. With Syracuse struggling at the moment, there are no players on significant streaks, however, the Crunch do have a few players among the league leaders. Alex Barre-Boulet is 2nd in AHL scoring (55 points), while defender Darren Raddysh is 12th (45 points). Goaltender Hugo Alnefelt is 6th in goals against average (2.33) and 4th in save percentage (.923). 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. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com
