Game Day Build-Up: Belleville Sens say goodbye to 2023 with another visit to Toronto

Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up
Dec.30/23 @ Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)           

The Set-Up:

The Belleville Senators finish up the 2023 portion of the schedule and continue a stretch of seven straight games against Canadian opponents this afternoon, as they’re back in Toronto, to square off again with the Toronto Marlies. The Sens are looking to close out 2023 on a four-game winning streak, after picking up three consecutive victories, including two wins against Toronto and most recently, a 4-1 win over the Laval Rocket at home on Thursday night. And while the Sens are trending upwards the Marlies are headed in the opposite direction, having lost three straight, including a 3-2 defeat at Cleveland this past Wednesday. It sets up a fight for sole position of third place in the North Division, with both teams sitting at 13 wins and 30 points on the season.

Previous History:

Belleville has had the edge in the season series and has earned points in all four games so far, with a 3-0-0-1 record. This will be the Sens first regular season visit to Coca-Cola Coliseum this season, after playing there in the preseason and then winning at Scotiabank Arena on Boxing Day. Lifetime against the Marlies, the Senators are 35-29-2-4, with a 20-12-2-1 mark in Toronto.

Roster Notes:

There have been no transactions reported between Belleville and either the NHL parent club or the ECHL affiliate in Allen, Texas, since B-Sens’ last game on Thursday. The Sens will be without captain Dillon Heatherington again, as he continues with Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, while Philippe Daoust and Brennan Saulnier are still out injured. Full lineup details, including today’s alignment, will be available prior to puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Both Roby Jarventie (five games) and Garrett Pilon (four games) extended their point streaks against Laval on Thursday and will look to keep pacing the Belleville offense. Matthew Highmore has scored in three straight games, while Egor Sokolov has added an assist in each of his last three contests. Defender Jacob Larsson also scored his first non-OT-winning goal of the season on Thursday and is a key piece of the Belleville lineup, with the Senators skating to a 13-4-2-2 mark when the Swedish veteran is patrolling the blue line.

Kieffer Bellows continues to be the hottest hand for Toronto, bringing a six game point streak into tonight’s game. Forwards Joseph Blandisi and Ryan Tverberg each have points in back-to-back games, while goaltender Dennis Hildeby holds this second-best goals against average in the American Hockey League at 2.15.

Ticket info:

Tickets for 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, 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:

Today’s game starts at 4:00 p.m. (ET) and can be seen on AHL TV and heard on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, begins at 3:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot.

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

—

Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com
Engage with the Belleville Sens on X: @BellevilleSens
Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens
Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens