Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens set for home rematch with Rochester on Pride Night

Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up
Mar.2/24 vs Rochester Americans (NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres)

The Set-Up:

Even though they came flying out of the gate, the Belleville Senators saw their win streak end at four last night, as they fell 4-1 to the Rochester Americans at CAA Arena. However, they’ll get a chance for payback tonight when the two divisional rivals clash in the Friendly City again. Angus Crookshank scored Belleville’s only goal and Leevi Merilainen stopped 31 shots for the Senators, who still hold on to third place in the North Division, though the Amerks are gaining ground. Rochester sits just one point back of Belleville, with Toronto trailing the B-Sens by two points and second-place Syracuse ahead by six points, with 19 games to go. The Sens will look to start as they did on Friday, but keep the energy up through the entire game, and split this critical weekend set on home ice.

Previous History:

Friday’s loss was the first time in the eight-game season series that the Senators failed to pick up at least a point (3-1-0-1). Belleville is 1-1-0-1 at CAA Arena against the Amerks this season, after a win and a shootout loss earlier in the year. Lifetime against Rochester, Belleville is 22-11-5-1, with a 9-6-4-1 mark at home. The final two games of the season set will be played in Rochester on April 12 and 13.

Roster Notes:

After a quiet week or so on the transaction front, the Senators organization has made four moves over the last 24 hours. Goaltenders Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen, along with defenceman Max Guenette and forward Zack MacEwen have all been recalled to the NHL by Ottawa. In a corresponding move, the Bellville Sens recalled goaltender Mark Sinclair from his loan to the Allen Americans (ECHL). Sinclair played one game for Belleville on a professional tryout last season and registered a shutout. Full lineup details including tonight’s alignment will be available prior to puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Angus Crookshank continues to power the Belleville offence and has received some league-wide recognition. The North Vancouver, BC product was named the AHL’s Player of the Month for February yesterday, after recording 14 points in 12 games last month, with a plus-4 rating. He was the only B-Sens player to find the net on Friday night, extending his point streak to three games (three goals, one assist). He also passed Jake Lucchini for sole possession of third place on Belleville’s all-time points list (104). Should he dress tonight, forward Boko Imama will play in his 300^th game. He hit a couple of posts on Friday and was one of Belleville’s most engaged players on the forecheck.

Forward Tyson Jost was named the game’s first star last night, scoring a goal and registering three shots on goal for the Amerks. However, he’s not been the most consistent point-getter for Rochester in the past few games. Jiri Kulich extended his point streak to five games with an assist and five shots last night, while Isak Rosen has points in three consecutive games.

At the rink:

It’s Pride Night at CAA Arena so fans can arrive early to check out our LGBTQ+-friendly vendors market around the concourse. Members of Bay of Quinte Pride will be on hand for the ceremonial pick drop as well. The Season Seat Membership renewal window is also open for fans to buy or renew their seats for 2024/25. The early bird window, featuring special benefits, will close on March 31, 2024, and seats that aren’t renewed by April 22, 2024, will be released for public sale. Fans interested in renewing or purchasing season seat memberships at the rink this weekend can stop by Section 111 and speak to a member of the Belleville Sens Sales Team. Additionally, this is the last weekend for fans to take advantage of the sale on replica jerseys and customizations, as well as a BOGO 50% sale on all kids and adult t-shirts.

Ticket info:

Tickets for tonight’s game against the Rochester Americans and 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 7:00 p.m. (ET) and can be seen on AHL TV and heard on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from CAA Arena, in Belleville, Ontario, begins at 6:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot and Brock Ormond.

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

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