game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens begin two-game Moose hunt in Winnipeg December 6, 2024 Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up Dec.6/24 @ Manitoba Moose (NHL Affiliate: Winnipeg Jets3) The Set Up: It may seem like the Belleville Senators continued road trip might appear to be coming at a good time with winter weather rolling into the Quinte Region last week. But, while the Sens are out of town, they’re hardly escaping the cold as their five-game swing takes them into Winnipeg this weekend, for two games with the Manitoba Moose. Belleville has made its mark early as one of the best road teams in the American Hockey League (with a road points percentage of .778) and was able to improve on that last weekend with a pair of wins against the Islanders in Bridgeport, CT. But even with the wins, the Sens find themselves battling for seeding in the always-competitive North Division, sitting seven points back of Toronto and Cleveland who are tied atop the standings. For the Moose, the season hasn’t started as they would have liked. They’ve won just six games this season, including two at home at Canada Life Center, and are looking to turn things around as they complete a six-game homestand. Previous History: Tonight’s matchup is the first of four between Belleville and Manitoba this season, and the 35th all-time, with the Senators holding a lifetime mark against the Moose of 16-14-4-0 and an 8-5-3-0 here at Canada Life Center in Winnipeg. Last season, the Senators went 3-1-0-0 against the Moose, including a pair of wins on the road, and outscored them 11-5. Roster Notes: The Senators had a swap on the blue line this week, with Donovan Sebrango being returned to Belleville and Nikolas Matinpalo earning his first NHL recall of the season. Matinpalo headed up to Ottawa after scoring a goal and adding on five shots last Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport. Otherwise, forwards Jan Jenik and Hayden Hodgson remain on the injured list, while goaltender Mads Sogaard is continuing to work his way back to full health. Cole Reinhardt and Zack Ostapchuk are both still up with the NHL club, along with Matinpalo, as well. A full list of up-to-date transactions can be found by clicking here, with full lineup details available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens) before the game. Who to Watch: Senator’s leading goal scorer Angus Crookshank comes into tonight’s game on a three-game point streak, but only one of those points was a goal. The North Vancouver, BC native had an assist in each game in Bridgeport last weekend and surprisingly, no shots on goal. Crookshank had nine goals to go along with three assists in 12 games this season. Meanwhile, forward Wyatt Bongiovanni scored the game-winning goal in both games in Bridgeport last weekend and had a total of 15 shots over the pair of contests. The Michigander returns to Winnipeg where he began his pro career after leaving Quinnipiac University. Bongiovanni had a total 33 points (21 goals, 12 assists) in 93 games with the Moose between 2021 and his trade to Belleville last season. Moose sophomore forward Nikita Chibrukov has been leading the charge for Manitoba this season with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 17 games. A 2nd round draft pick (50th overall) to the Winnipeg Jets in 2021, Chibrukov had 47 (17 goals, 30 assists) over a 70-game rookie AHL season in 2023-24. He also had two goals in four games against Belleville last season. Follow the Action: Puck drop tonight is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Broadcast coverage begins at 7:50 p.m. ET with David Foot and Ross Levitan, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Ticket Info: Tickets for all remaining 2024-25 Belleville Sens home games 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 looking to get a head start on locking up tickets for any game on the schedule can do so now by becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or by booking a group experience. More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. 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. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com Watch the Belleville Sens on AHLTV on FloHockey: www.watchtheahl.com
