Game Day Build-Up: Belleville and Rochester battle again as Senators finish seven-game homestand

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Apr.5/25 vs Rochester Americans (NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres)

The Set Up:

The Belleville Senators certainly showed they belong in the North Division playoff conversation with an emphatic 5-0 win over the visiting Rochester Americans last night. And, with lots still to play for, Belleville will need to continue making noise through its final seven games of the regular season to qualify. The Senators enter tonight’s rematch with Rochester still four points behind fifth-place Cleveland. And, after the Syracuse Crunch beat Toronto last night, Belleville is just five points back of those opponents who sit in third and fourth, respectively. With all seven teams in the division in action today, a Belleville win wouldn’t get them back into a playoff position, but it would help their chances as they finish their seven-game road trip and get set to play five of their last six games on the road.

Previous History:

Belleville’s win last night improved their record this season against the Amerks to 2-4-0-0 and evened their record against the North Division to 18-18-3-4. The Senators lifetime record against Rochester now sits at 25-16-5-1, with a 10-8-4-1 mark at CAA Arena. Belleville and Rochester will cap their eight-game season series next Wednesday, April 9, at the Blue Cross Arena.

Roster Notes: 

Defenceman Max Guenette suffered a significant facial injury on Wednesday night against Syracuse and missed last night’s game. The Senators also reassigned forward Jake Chiasson from Orlando (ECHL) to Belleville yesterday. Forward Hayden Hodgson will serve the second game of his two-game suspension tonight, while Angus Crookshank remains on NHL recall to Ottawa. You can click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions, with full lineup details ahead of game time via the Belleville Sens social channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

Forward Xavier Borugault brings a three-game point streak into tonight’s game (two goals, one assist). He and linemates Phil Daoust and Jan Jenik have been generating plenty of chances and energy for the Sens the past couple of games, despite the split results. Daoust has three points over his last two games, including a goal and an assist on Wednedsay and another helper last night. Captain Garrett Pilon recorded his 40th point of the season last night, giving him at least 40 points in back-to-back seasons and for the third time in his AHL career. Leevi Merilainen’s fourth shutout of the season last night was also his 15th win, and he becomes the fifth Belleville goaltender to win 15 games in a season (Joey Daccord, Filip Gustavsson, Marcus Hogberg, Mads Sogaard x2).

While no Amerks were able to find the net on Friday, rookie forward Konsta Helenius has enjoyed the rest of the season series against the Senators. The 18-year-old Finn, selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 14th overall selection in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft has 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) this season with nine of those points coming against Belleville. His last four multi-point games have also all come against the Senators.

At the Rink:

Tonight is the Belleville Sens first ever “Fossils and Faceoffs Night” in partnership with the Quinte Museum of Natural History! Fans will be able to learn more about one of the Quinte Region’s newest educational attractions, get their hands on prehistoric fossils from the QMNH collection, and have a chance to snag some in-game giveaways as well.  The the latest Belleville Sens gear is also available at the Locker Room Store inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre before the game, the Gate 2 Merchandise Stand in-game, and anytime, at the Locker Room Store website.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena, in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. ET with David Foot, and Brock Ormond, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games through the 2024-25 season are now on sale via Ticketmaster, or by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. Hours for the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena are available here.

Fans can click the following links for more information on becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. For more details on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages, visit the Belleville Sens website or email tickets@bellevillesens.com.

The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available here. 

About the Belleville Senators

The Belleville Senators are the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators and have been operating in the AHL since the 2017-18 season. The Senators play their home games out of the CAA Arena at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre and have graduated more than 60 players to the NHL since moving from Binghamton, New York.

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