Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens back home to finish season series with Comets

Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up
Mar.13/24 vs Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils) presented by Vision Transportation                    

The Set-Up:

The American Hockey League’s North Division is as tight as it’s been all season long and with 16 games remaining in the campaign, the Belleville Senators return home tonight, looking to inch closer toward a berth in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. The B-Sens host the Utica Comets at CAA Arena, just days after a narrow defeat in Utica on the weekend, which coupled with a loss in Toronto earlier last week has seen Belleville fall to fourth in the standings. However, Belleville is still well within striking distance of the third spot and would re-take that position with a victory and a Rochester loss to Syracuse. The Comets had a three-game point streak snapped on the road in Rochester last weekend, to finish a three-in-three set and are sitting five points back of Belleville and Toronto, who currently hold the final two playoff spots.

Previous History:

Tonight’s matchup concludes the eight-game season series between the Senators and Comets, with Belleville holding a slight 4-3-0-0 edge on the campaign. Two of those wins and a loss have come at CAA Arena, with Belleville blanking Utica 3-0 in the Comets’ last visit to the Friendly City. Lifetime against Utica, Belleville is 18-16-3-0, with a 10-8-1-0 advantage on home ice.

Roster Notes:

The B-Sens have had to adjust to several transactions since last Saturday’s game in Utica. Forward Tag Bertuzzi was released from his professional tryout following that game, while goaltender Mark Sinclair was returned on loan to the Senators ECHL affiliate in Allen, Texas. Forward Zack Ostapchuk received his first NHL recall on Tuesday and dressed in the Ottawa Senators overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins that night at the Canadian Tire Centre. Forward Jiri Smejkal was returned from Ottawa this morning, after also dressing for the NHL Senators last night. Full lineup details and tonight’s alignment will be available before puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Josh Currie and Egor Sokolov were among three Sens players who had points in both games last week, with Currie notching a goal and an assist, and Sokolov scoring twice. Zack Ostapchuk had three points (one goal, two assists) over last week’s pair of games, before being recalled to the NHL. Should Angus Crookshank return to the lineup tonight, he’ll carry a four-game point streak (three goals, two assists) into the game. Jacob Larsson and Cole Reinhardt each had assists last Saturday in Utica.

Comets forward Joe Gambardella has points in back-to-back games, scoring in Utica’s last game against Rochester and tallying an assist against Belleville last weekend. Graham Clarke continues to be the most dangerous Comet against Belleville this season, putting up six points (three goals, three assists) in seven games played. He also leads Utica in scoring overall, with 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) in 53 games played.

At the rink:

It’s Winning Wednesday at CAA Arena, with twenty pairs of tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 19, 2024, up for grabs! Plus, fans can take advantage of happy hour food specials, including $5 beer and $2 hot dogs between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. CAA members can also take advantage of some special perks, including limited preferred parking, a 10% discount at the Belleville Sens Locker Room merchandise store, and more. The Sens are also offering a “Gift with Purchase” sale on in-game purchases at the Locker Room Store, from today until Sunday. Fans who spend $25 will receive a free Belleville Sens water bottle, with a free Belleville Sens flag with purchases of $50 or more.

Ticket info:

Tickets for tonight’s game against the Utica Comets 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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