Game Day Build-Up: Belleville to celebrate City’s hockey history as Sens get rematch with Amerks for Belleville Bulls Tribute Game presented by Mackay Insraunce

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Dec.14/24 vs Rochester Americans (NHL affiliate: Buffalo Sabres)

The Set Up:

It wasn’t the start to the weekend that the Belleville Senators wanted, but they’ll get an immediate chance at some payback after a 7-4 home loss to the Rochester Americans on Friday night. The Senators got a pair of goals from Angus Crookshank and markers from Keean Washkurak and Zack MacEwen but were felled by an opportunistic Amerks offence. Despite the loss, Belleville still holds one of the highest points percentages in the league and has the second-fewest regulation defeats, just behind the Toronto Marlies. And, with a big crowd expected for tonight’s Belleville Bulls Tribute Game presented by Mackay Insurance, the Sens will look to correct a few mistakes from 24 hours ago and begin a new winning run as the chase to Christmas continues.

Previous History:

Friday’s defeat evens the Belleville/Rochester season series at 1-1-0-0 after the Sens picked up a win on Opening Night at Blue Cross Arena back in October. The Sens and Amerks will play six more times this season, with their next matchup after tonight not coming until early February. Lifetime against Rochester, Belleville’s record is now 15-13-5-1 and 10-7-4-1 at CAA Arena.
Roster Notes:

 There have been no transactions announced this morning, so it appears forward Cole Reinhardt will stay with NHL Ottawa for the time being, after being recalled yesterday. Belleville did get goaltender Mads Sogaard back from injury last night, though he was pulled partway through the game, while forwards Jamieson Rees, Hayden Hodgson, and Jan Jenik remain on the injured list. Though, it’s expected that Jenik could return to the lineup soon. Click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions. Full lineup details will be available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens) before the game.  

Who to Watch:

Forward Angus Crookshank did as much as he could last night to help the Sens in their loss, notching another pair of goals, to extend his team lead to 12. That puts the North Vancouver, BC native into the top 10 in American Hockey League goal-scoring this season. Second-year forward Stephen Halliday had a career-high three assists in the game, extending his points streak to seven games (three goals, six assists). Meanwhile, Sens defenceman Max Guenette is poised to become the second Belleville Sens defender to play 200 games (behind Lassi Thomson), assuming he gets in the lineup tonight. Guenette is also sitting on 99 career points and would become the first Belleville blueliner to reach that milestone, should he find the scoresheet tonight.

Rochester defender Ethan Prow has been an offensive key for the Amerks, notching points in three consecutive games (one goal, two assists). Five other Rochester players have points in back-to-back games, including Jack Rathbone (two assists), Lukas Rousek (one goal, three assists), Riley Fiddler-Schultz (one goal, one assist), Isaak Rosen (two goals, one assist), and Cale Clague (one goal, two assists). Meanwhile, goaltender Devon Levi has won six straight starts and holds the league’s sixth-best goals-against average.

At the Rink:

It’s our Belleville Bulls Tribute Game presented by Mackay Insurance tonight, with a special pregame ceremony recognizing the 25^th anniversary of the Belleville Bulls-only Ontario Hockey League Championship. Quinte Broadcasting Sports Director Jack Miller will emcee the event, which will include some 1999 Bulls alumni, a banner raising and more. The Senators will wear the iconic Bulls’ black and gold uniforms tonight and auction those jerseys off via DASH Online Auctions, with bidding opening at 6:00 p.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m. on December 22. Fans will also be able to take advantage of some special concession and merchandise deals, including 1999-era pricing on hot dogs ($3.00) and popcorn ($2.50), plus a $19.99 T-shirt sale at The Locker Room Store and the Gate 2 merchandise stand.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, ON. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. ET with David Foot, Brock Ormond and Tim Durkin, 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.

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