Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens look for another A+ performance during school day matchup in Toronto

Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up
Mar.6/24 @ Rochester Americans (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Marlies)               

The Set-Up:

As they move on from a successful three-game homestand and into the final 18 games of the regular season, the Belleville Sens (28-21-2-3) find themselves in a stable position in the North Division standings, with a chance to further solidify that spot during a school day game in Toronto against the Marlies (23-18-9-2) today. The Senators picked up four-of-six points last week, shutting out the Utica Comets and then splitting a pair of games with Rochester at CAA Arena, which has them sitting in third place in the division, three points ahead of Rochester and four up on Toronto. The Sens have won 10 of their last 15 games, including four in a row to wrap up February, while the Marlies have only earned two wins in their last seven games, but have collected at least a point in at least five of those, as they continue to try and battle out of the North’s final two playoff spots.

Previous History:

Belleville has had the advantage over Toronto in the 10-game season series so far, skating to a record of 5-2-0-1, with a 2-1-0-0 edge in games played in “The Big Smoke” this campaign. Even with Belleville ahead in the season series, the Sens have been outscored by Toronto 26-25 over their eight games in 2023-24. Lifetime against the Marlies the B-Sens are 36-31-2-4, with a 19-13-2-1 mark in Toronto. These teams will wrap their season set back in Toronto on Wednesday April 10.

Roster Notes:

The Senators made a couple of roster swaps following last weekend’s games, with defenceman Max Guenette and goaltender Leevi Merilainen returned from the NHL, and forward Rourke Chartier was recalled to join the Ottawa Senators on their west coast road trip. Goaltender Mark Sinclair remains with the B-Sens after being recalled from ECHL Allen last weekened, while forward Tarun Fizer has also rejoined Belleville from Allen, ahead of this week’s games.

Who to Watch:

Egor Sokolov didn’t find the net on Saturday against Rochester, but did have four shots on goal and will look to continue his success against the Marlies this season. The Belleville Sens all-time leading scoring has got his name on the scoresheet 10 times (two goals, eight assists) over eight games with Toronto so far in 2023-24. Defender Donovan Sebrango has been chipping in offensively lately as well, with three assists over his last two games. Forwards Angus Crookshank (four games) and Matt Highmore (three games) are also on current point streaks for Belleville. On the back-end Nikolas Matinpalo has had a +/- rating of even or better over 13 of his last 15 games played.

The Marlies are led offensively by Joseph Blandisi and for good reason. The veteran forward has racked up 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) in 51 games this season, including eight points (six goals, two assists) over a current five-game point streak. When it comes to doing damage against Belleville, the Senators will look to defend against Keiffer Bellows and Alex Steeves, who each have seven points (three goals, four assists). Bellows has played six games against Belleville this season and Steeves has dressed in all eight games of the season series.

Ticket info:

Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games for the remainder of the 2023-24 season are now on sale online, via Ticketmaster or the Belleville Sens Ticket Hub. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Belleville Sens Box Office at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, or by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. Box Office hours are available by clicking here.

Fans can also click the following links for more information on season seat memberships, flex packs, group experiences or Business Elite memberships, or send an email to tickets@bellevillesens.com.

Follow the action:

Tonight’s game starts at 11:00 a.m. (ET) and can be seen on AHL TV and heard on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from Coca-Cola Coliseum, in Toronto, Ontario, begins at 10:50 a.m. (ET) with David Foot.

The full 2023-24 Belleville Senators regular season schedule can be found by clicking here.

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