Game Day Build-Up: Fresh Battle of Ontario begins in Toronto tonight

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Oct.25/24 @ Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Set Up:

Following four straight games against opponents from New York State, the Belleville Senators turn their focus to a more local rival this week, as they’ll play the first two rounds of the American Hockey League’s “Battle of Ontario” against the Toronto Marlies, starting tonight in the Ontario capital, before shifting back to CAA Arena tomorrow. The B-Sens have had a solid start to the campaign, earning points in three of their first four games and establishing themselves again as a physical force and a tough team to play against. That suffocating physicality will be needed this weekend to slow down the American Hockey League’s only remaining unbeaten team, a Toronto Marlies squad that’s outscored opponents 19-8 over its first five games.

Previous History:

Belleville had a strong season against Toronto in 2023-24, skating to a record of 6-3-0-1 and then eliminating their provincial foes in three games in the Calder Cup Playoff North Division First Round. Lifetime against the Marlies, the B-Sens are 37-32-2-4, with a 20-14-2-1 mark at in Toronto. The Senators and Marlies will meet 10 times in the 2024-25 season, including two games at Scotiabank Arena, home of the Marlies’ National Hockey League parent club, the Maple Leafs. Their next meeting is tomorrow night at CAA Arena.

Roster Notes:

There’s been some movement for a handful of players in the organization over the past week. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen was called up to Ottawa and spent the week/a few games backing up Anton Forsberg on the NHL club’s western road trip, but was reassigned to Belleville this morning and is expected to start tonight. He’ll likely be backed up by rookie goaltender Michael Simpson, who was recalled from the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), after Mads Søgaard was injured in Belleville’s loss at home to Syracuse last Sunday. Up front, forward Cole Reinhardt was sent back to Belleville, but recalled again this morning and is unavailable for the B-Sens tonight. However, veteran forward Matthew Highmore is expected to be in the lineup, after he was returned from the NHL earlier this week. Full lineup details, including line combinations and defence pairs, will be available via the Belleville Sens social media channels (@BellevilleSens) ahead of puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Forwards Zack Ostapchuk and Garrett Pilon each carry three-game point streaks into tonight’s game, with each collecting a goal and three assists over that span. New Belleville defender Jeremy Davies has tallied in back-to-back games while rookie forward Stephen Halliday, back for his first full pro season after joining the team just before last season’s playoffs, had an assist in each game last weekend. B-Sens defender Nikolas Matinpalo also has assists in back-to-back games.

Due to their strong start to the season, there are plenty of players to watch on the Toronto side of the ice this weekend. Forward Alex Nylander, who signed with Toronto from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization in the offseason, has collected points in five straight games (five goals, one assist). The brother of William Nylander, who plays for Toronto’s NHL parent club, has also scored in four straight games for the Marlies. Forward Joseph Blandisi is on a three-game point streak (one goal, two assists) for Toronto, while former Belleville Sens Captain Logan Shaw has assists in back-to-back games and seven helpers in total this season.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for and all  home games games through the first half of the 2024-25 Belleville Sens season are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. or The Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. today.

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 putting down a deposit for 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.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. from Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. with David Foot and Tyler King, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. 

The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available by clicking here. 

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