game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens look to lock up Calder Cup Playoff berth on home ice against Rocket April 19, 2024 Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up Apr.19/24 @ Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens) The Set-Up/Playoff Picture: The formula for the Belleville Senators to clinch a berth in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs is now as simple as it gets – win and you’re in. While that’s not the only way the B-Sens can punch their postseason ticket against the Laval Rocket tonight, it’s the most straightforward and would avoid a do-or-die game on the road in Laval tomorrow. Belleville can also qualify with a single point tonight and a Utica loss at home to Syracuse, with the Comets having an extra game left to play later this weekend. And while Belleville has been excellent against the North Division this season, Laval is one of the opponents that’s been the toughest to play against so the B-Sens, who have won six of their last seven games, will have to continue to play at their peak to defend home ice and nail down that fifth and final playoff spot tonight. The full playoff picture can be found via the American Hockey League’s Playoff Primer. Previous History: Tonight’s game is the 11th of 12 meetings between Belleville and Laval this season, with the Senators holding a 4-5-1-0 record and a 2-2-1-0 mark at home. In their last meetings at the end of March, the teams split a pair of games at Place Bell, with the Senators falling 2-1 before bouncing back to win 5-2 the following day. Over 79 Lifetime meetings against the Rocket the Sens 42-32-2-3, and 23-13-1-3 at CAA Arena. Roster Notes: The Senators have only had one roster move since Wednesday’s win against Syracuse. Forward Boko Imama was returned from the NHL club, after his late-season recall, but there’s no word if he’ll dress for Belleville tonight. A complete list of recent transactions can be found here. There are no changes on Belleville’s injured list either, with 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: Two Belleville Sens players bring four-game point streaks into tonight’s critical 71st game of the season. Defender Jacob Larsson has four assists over that span, while Wyatt Bongiovanni has four goals and a helper over his last four games. Larsson also had a four-point night the last time Belleville and Laval faced off, picking up a goal and three assists in Belleville’s 5-2 win at Place Bell back on March 30. For the Rocket, top prospect defenceman Logan Mailloux has points in three straight games (four assists) and was named this week to the American Hockey League’s 2023-24 All-Rookie Team. Veteran forward Philippe Maillet also has points in three straight games (two goals, four assists), with seven points (three goals, four assists) against Belleville this season. At the rink: It’s Fan Appreciation Night presented by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board! Fans will be able to interact with and get autographs from their favourite Belleville Sens players, as they arrive on the red carpet, starting around 3:30 p.m. Players will arrive through the west doors of the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre and enter CAA Arena through Gate 1. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Belleville Sens belt bag, and staff from the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board will be on hand with plenty of prizes throughout the night, including a chance to win a Bay of Quinte Staycation (valued at $1,000) during an intermission game of Plinko. Plus, with gates opening early at 5:30 p.m., fans will have an opportunity to cruise the CAA Arena concourse and check out various games, activities and deals at the Locker Room merchandise store, including 25% off Belleville Sens T-shirts and 20% off headwear. Ticket info: Tickets for Fan Appreciation Night presented by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board are going fast, but are available via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the Belleville Sens Box Office at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre before the game. Box Office hours are available by clicking here. Fans can also click the following links for more information on 2024-25 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 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 Brock Ormond, at 6:50 p.m. (ET), from CAA Arena, in Belleville, Ontario. 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
