Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens critical weekend against Toronto and Cleveland

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Mar.21/25 vs Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set Up:

The Belleville Senators have hit the final 15 games of the season, and some clearer targets are starting to appear in terms of realistic playoff placement after game 72 in about a month, and jumping as high as third place isn’t out of the question. The Senators enter tonight’s game two points back of Cleveland and Syracuse for the final two playoff spots in the North Division. They’re also just seven points back of the third-place Toronto Marlies, who they’ll see twice in the next 24 hours, starting tonight at CAA Arena and again once next weekend. Belleville has been putting together some consistent performances lately, going 6-3-1-0 in their last 10 games, and the Senators haven’t lost in regulation at home, dating back to the end of January. Toronto, meanwhile, has only four wins and nine points over their last 10 games as they try to catch Rochester in second place and create more distance in the middle of the North table.

Previous History:

This is the eighth of 10 meetings in this season’s American Hockey League Battle of Ontario and it’s been an extremely competitive affair. Belleville has collected points in five of seven games so far this season against Toronto (3-2-1-1), with five of those games decided by one goal. Belleville and Toronto have met 82 times since the Senators moved to the Bay of Quinte Region, with Belleville holding a lifetime record of 40-34-3-5, and 19-19-0-3 at CAA Arena.

Roster Notes: 

The Senators had a handful of players on the injured list at the end of last weekend, but Head Coach Dave Bell says there could be some reinforcements coming tonight. Forward Wyatt Bongiovanni could return this weekend, after missing the last eight games due to injury. The 25-year-old from Birmingham, Michigan also missed a stretch due to injury at the start of the season, but has still collected 26 points (18 goals, eight assists) this season. While Bongiovanni could come back, Sens fans likely won’t see defenders Filip Roos and Donovan Sebrango, forward Jamieson Rees, or goaltender Mads Sogaard. 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:

On one of their most consistent offensive stretches of the season, eight Senators players had points in both games last weekend, including Jan Jenik (one goal, seven assists), Wyatte Wylie (one goal, three assists), Jeremy Davies (two goals, one assist), Xavier Bourgault (two goals, one assist) and others. Stephen Halliday had two assists and is one helper behind Logan Brown for third on Belleville’s rookie-assists list, while Max Guenette scored twice last weekend and has seven points (four goals, three assists) over his last six games.

Toronto was shutout against Charlotte in its last matchup, so no Marlies are bringing point streaks into CAA Arena tonight. Defender William Villeneuve had seven assists over a four-game point streak that was snapped on Wednedsay, while Alex Steeves had five shots on net in Toronto’s last game, though he hasn’t found the scoresheet in his last two games. Steeves is among the league’s top point getters (51) and is tied for first in AHL goal-scoring (33) with Texas’ Matej Blumel.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight 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.

At the Rink:

It’s Road to the AHL Night presented by Mackay Insurance which means fans will be able to get their hands on this season’s set of Belleville Sens Road to the AHL Trading cards when they arrive at CAA Arena tonight, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. Packs will include four random cards featuring subjects of our 2025 Road to the AHL documentaries, including Donovan Sebrango, Hayden Hodgson, Jamieson Rees, Jeremy Davies, Leevi Merilainen, Malcolm Subban, Philippe Daoust, Stephen Halliday, Wyatt Bongiovanni, and Jan Jenik. Fans can trade around to make sure they get their favourite player! And, as part of our Next Gen Weekend, fans can cash-in on some great deals at the Locker Room Store and Gate 2 Merchandise Stand, including – buy one get one free mini sticks, 25% off kids apparel, or add a Belleville Sens flag onto any kids apparel purchase for just $4.99.

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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