game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators head to Cleveland to take on division-leading Monsters December 14, 2023 Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up Dec.14/23 @ Cleveland (NHL Affiliate: Columbus Blue Jackets) The Set-Up: As the Belleville Sens continue to climb the North Division standings, riding a six-game point streak, they come across an opportunity this weekend to earn some critical points that could have them closer to the top of the standings as the Holiday Break nears. The Senators are in Cleveland to take on the Monsters at Rocket Mortgage Field House, with a chance to swipe some points against the division leaders. The Sens took five of six points out of their three games last week, with wins over Laval and Grand Rapids, along with an overtime loss to the Griffins in their last trip out. The Monsters, meanwhile, have earned just one win in their last four games, including back-to-back losses on a road trip to Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last weekend. Previous History: This week’s pair of games will round out the four-game season series between the Sens and Monsters, who split the first two matchups at CAA Arena earlier this season. Cleveland picked up a 4-2 win on November 10, while the Sens answered back with a 2-1 overtime win two days later, with Angus Crookshank netting the game-winning goal. Lifetime against the Monsters, the Sens have an even 12-12-0-2 record, with a 5-7-0-0 mark on the road in Cleveland. Roster Notes: There are a few of roster updates to pass along since last Saturday’s loss to the Griffins. Defenceman Donovan Sebrango was reassigned to Belleville from the Allen Americans (ECHL), while goaltender Leevi Merilainen was reassigned to Allen. There was also an NHL player swap, with forward Jiri Smejkal returning to Belleville, after making his NHL debut with Ottawa earlier this week, and defenceman Jacob Larsson was recalled again to the NHL. Full lineup details, including tonight’s alignment, will be available before puck drop. Who to Watch: Senators forward Garrett Pilon brings a six-game point streak (five goals, three assists) into tonight’s contest. The veteran forward had the game’s first goal last Saturday, cueing Sens fans to toss their teddy bears onto the ice. Angus Crookshank is on a new three-game point streak (one goal, three assists), while defender Ryan MacKinnon has points in back-to-back games (two assists). Defenceman Max Guenette had his three-game point streak (one goal, three assists) snapped on Saturday, but still sits 8th in American Hockey League defensive scoring with 17 points. Cleveland has no players currently riding point streaks, after being shutout in Hershey in their last game. However, forward Trey Fix-Wolansky sits 14th in AHL scoring (22 points) and is always dangerous against Belleville, while defenceman Jake Christiansen is tied with Guenette on the AHL defensive points list, with 17. 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: Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and can be seen on AHL TV and heard on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage from the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, begins at 6:50 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
