game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators return home for two-game set with Amerks December 1, 2023 Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up Dec.1/23 vs Rochester Americans (NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres) The Set-Up: As the calendar flips to December, the Belleville Senators find themselves back home from a three-game road trip, which saw them pick up three-of-six points, to begin a 12-game month with nine matchups inside the North Division. Those divisional games start this weekend, with a back-to-back set with the Rochester Americans, at CAA Arena. The Senators scored a season-high six times in their slump-snapping victory over the Comets in Utica on Wednesday, with six different Sens finding the back of the net and Mads Sogaard making 33 saves, including a handful to keep Belleville in the game. The Sens will need another strong group effort tonight against an Amerks team that sits six points ahead in the standings and is coming off a week of rest, following a loss to Lehigh Valley last Saturday. Previous History: Tonight marks the first of eight meetings this season between the Sens and Amerks and the 35th meeting between the clubs all-time. Since 2017-18, the Senators have a 19-10-5-0 record against Rochester, including an 8-5-4-0 mark at home. Last season, Belleville was 5-1-2-0 against their rivals from across Lake Ontario. Roster Notes: There are no changes to Belleville’s lineup from Wednesday’s win in Utica. Cole Reinhardt, Graham McPhee, Tarun Fizer, Tyler Boucher, Phil Daoust and Brennan Saulnier emain out with injuries. Full lineup details, including tonight’s alignment, will be available before puck drop. At the Rink: CAA Arena gates will open to fans at 6:00 p.m., with fans being encouraged to bring advance donations for tomorrow’s Gleaner’s Food Drive Night presented by Rosebush Energies. All fans who bring at least two non-perishable food items to donate will be entered into a draw for a VIP experience during the Sens Fan Appreciation game in the spring. Who to Watch: Forward Garrett Pilon snapped a mini three-game pointless drought with a goal and an assist on Wednesday. The 25-year-old already has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 15 games for the Sens this season and is nearing the halfway point of his total from 2022-23. Meanwhile, Angus Crookshank has taken over the team points lead with 14 (seven goals, seven assists), and Roby Jarventie scored Wednesday in his return from the NHL, giving him points in the last three AHL games he’s played in. High-flying teenager Jiri Kulich will be worth keeping an eye on for Rochester tonight. The 19-year-old, who was taken by Buffalo in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (28th overall), already has 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in 16 AHL games this season. He also recently made his NHL debut with the Sabres, before being returned to Rochester. Last season against the Senators, Kulich had four points (three goals, one assist) in six games. 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 CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario, begins at 6:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot and Tim Durkin. 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. 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 Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens
