game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators look for New Year’s Eve payback on first visit to Utica January 4, 2025 Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up Jan.4/25 @ Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils) The Set Up: It might be a new year, but it was another frustrating defeat for the Belleville Senators in Syracuse on Friday Night. Belleville put another new season high of 43 shots on net, but goals from Tyler Boucher and Matt Highmore weren’t enough to help Belleville back into the win column, as the Sens fell for the fourth consecutive game. However, a season’s first visit to Utica tonight provides opportunities to pick up a victory and get some payback on the Comets, who beat Belleville 4-3 in overtime on New Year’s Eve at CAA Arena for just their third win in the past 10 games. As the Comets try to dig out of the North basement, 13 points back of Belleville, the Senators are looking to regain ground on the rest of the division and begin the pushback into the playoff places with a little over 40 games to go. Previous History: Tonight’s matchup is the third of eight between Belleville and Utica this season as the North Division foes see each other a couple more times than usual in past years. Belleville has earned at least a point in each of those first two games this season, picking up a 5-4 win during their Home Opener presented by CAA, and then the New Year’s Eve overtime defeat, also at CAA Arena. This is Belleville’s first visit to Utica this season where they have a lifetime record of 8-8-2-0 in 18 games. In their lifetime against the Comets, the Senators are 20-16-4-0 over 40 games. Roster Notes: The Ottawa Senators made one more move yesterday after sending goaltender Mads Sogaard back to Belleville. Defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo was reassigned to Belleville as well, but didn’t arrive in Syracuse in time to dress in last night’s game, though he’s likely to get into the lineup tonight. Head Coach Dave Bell hasn’t yet decided on a goaltender after Mads Sogaard played last night in Syracuse. Mark Sinclair is the other goaltender on the trip for Belleville and if he starts, he would get a chance at some payback against the Comets for their win earlier in the week. He could also pick up his first career AHL victory if Belleville can come out on top. You can click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions, with lineup details available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens) before the game. Who to Watch: 2021 first-round draft pick (10th overall) Tyler Boucher is starting to come along after an injury-riddled start to his career. At 26 games played this season, the 21-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, has played more than he has in any of the past four seasons, dating back to his time with the Ottawa 67s (OHL) and Boston University Terriers (NCAA). Boucher has scored in back-to-back games and had an assist in the game prior, putting him on the first three-game point streak of his AHL career. Along with re-finding his offence, Boucher has also been developing his two-way game, spending time on the penalty kill and scoring shorthanded last night. There are no Comets on Significant point streaks heading into tonight’s game, though captain Ryan Schmelzer and leading scorer Adam Beckman each scored in Utica’s loss to Lehigh Valley last night. Should the game get tight in the late stages, Belleville will need to key in on Mike Hardman. The 25-year-old forward has notched four game-winning goals this season, including the overtime winner in Belleville earlier in the week. He’s also the Comets top scorer against Belleville this season with three points (one goal, two assists) in two games. At the Rink: This afternoon’s game starts at 3:00 p.m. for our 2024 New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown, with CAA Arena gates opening at 2:00 p.m.! Ring in 2025 with a countdown during the game and celebrate the new year with friends and family at CAA Arena! The first 700 younger Sens fans to enter CAA Arena will receive free M&M Minis courtesy of Mars, and fans can take advantage of the club’s New Year’s sale at The Locker Room Store, with 25% off replica jerseys and all 2024-25 merchandise. That deal is available through January 1, 2025, at the Locker Room Store (inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre), the Gate 2 Merchandise Stand inside CAA Arena, or via The Locker Room’s online store, using the promo code “2025”. The U18 Tampa Bulldogs Rugby 7’s team will also be on-hand for a CAA Chuck-A-Puck activation. Follow the Action: Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. ET with David Foot, 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. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com Watch the Belleville Sens on AHLTV on FloHockey: www.watchtheahl.com
