game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens have chance to improve home-ice odds in season finale at Laval April 20, 2024 Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up Apr.20/24 @ Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens) The Set-Up/Playoff Picture: About 24 hours after a comeback thriller against the rival Laval Rocket, to clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Belleville Senators are in Quebec to round out the regular season tonight. Belleville’s playoff opponent is still to be decided, though we know it will either be the Cleveland Monsters or Toronto Marlies, with seeding to be finalized once those teams finish their two-game set this in Toronto weekend. With that in mind, The Senators will look to collect the final two points up for grabs this season, as they visit Place Bell and give themselves the best chance at holding home-ice advantage in the postseason’s first round. The full playoff picture can be found via the American Hockey League’s Playoff Primer. Previous History: This is the final meeting of the season between Belleville and Laval, rounding out the 12-game season series. Following Friday’s win, Belleville improved its record against the Rocket this season to 5-5-1-0. The B-Sens are 2-3-0-0 at Place Bell this season and 19-19-1-0 there in their lifetime. Belleville holds a record of 43-32-2-3 all-time against Laval, heading into this 81st meeting. Roster Notes: With potential seeding points up for grabs and other games that could affect the standings being played earlier in the day, Head Coach Dave Bell isn’t expected to make any lineup decisions until closer to game-tie. Bell will have his entire healthy roster to choose from, except currently injured players including captain Dillon Heatherington, fellow defender Max Guenette, and forwards Tyler Boucher, Phil Daoust, and Roby Jarventie all still unavailable. Full lineup details, including tonight’s alignment, will be available prior to puck drop via the B-Sens social media channels (@BellevilleSens) Who to Watch: Egor Sokolov has propelled himself into the spotlight again for the Senators, scoring three massive goals over the Club’s past two games. The 23-year-old scored the B-Sens game-tying toal against Syracuse on Wednesday to force overtime, as well as the late game-tying and game-winning goals, while adding six shots on net, against the Rocket on Friday, to help Belleville clinch its playoff spot. Meanwhile, Wyatt Bongiovanni extended his point streak to five games (five goals, one assist) by scoring for the 15th time this season on Friday. Garrett Pilon also picked up an assist to take over the B-Sens 2023-24 team scoring lead (47 points) from Angus Crookshank. For the Rocket, Peterborough native Mitchell Stephens scored again last night, and has done in his last three consecutive games. He’s collected seven points over that span (five goals, two assists), including a hat trick and a pair of assists against Springfield on April 6. Ticket info: The first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs is scheduled to start the week of April 22, but playoff opponents, dates, and times are still to be determined. Belleville Sens fans will be able to purchase Calder Cup Playoff tickets beginning Monday, April 22, via Ticketmaster, or at the Belleville Sens Box Office at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. Fans with questions about playoff ticketing can also email tickets@bellevillesens.com. Follow the action: Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and can be seen on AHL TV, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network, with pregame coverage on both platforms beginning with David Foot and Tim Durkin, at 6:50 p.m. (ET), from Place Bell, in Laval, Quebec. The full 2023-24 Belleville Senators regular season schedule can be found by clicking here. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on X: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens
