game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators return home to begin back-to-back with Comets February 9, 2024 Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up Feb.9/24 vs Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils) The Set-Up: With the American Hockey League All-Star break complete, the Belleville Senators (20-17-2-3) are preparing for a sprint to the finish, as they try to climb the North Division standings with 30 games left to play in the regular season. The Sens will be looking to build off their pair of wins over the Crunch in Syracuse last weekend, as they welcome another divisional rival in the Utica Comets (18-17-4-3) for a pair of games this weekend, beginning tonight back home at CAA Arena. The Senators now find themselves in fifth place in the division standings, just one point back of Rochester and Toronto, who are tied in third and fourth, and nine points off the division leaders in Cleveland. The Comets continue to have a streaky season and are back down in seventh, but just two points behind Belleville coming into tonight’s contest. Previous History: This is the third meeting of the season between the Sens and Comets and the first at CAA Arena. The teams have split a pair of games at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica earlier this season, with Belleville winning 6-3 on November 29th and the Comets edging the Sens 4-3 back on January 17. Lifetime against the Comets, the Belleville Sens are 15-14-3-0 with a record of 8-7-1-0 at CAA Arena. Roster Notes: There were no transactions for the Senators over the All-Star break, with Rourke Chartier expected to make his AHL season debut for Belleville, after being returned from Ottawa prior to the break. Full lineup details and an update on players who were listed as injured prior to the break will be available ahead of puck drop tonight. Who to Watch: Belleville All-Star Angus Crookshank turned heads last weekend, scoring Friday, netting the overtime winner Saturday and notching a pair of goals at the AHL All-Star Classic presented by Tech CU. He brings a three-game point streak into tonight’s contest. Power forward Jiri Smejkal was also a key to the Sens offence in Saturday’s win. The big man from Czechia recorded his first career three-point night at Upstate Medical University Arena, finding the net twice and adding a helper. It was Smejkal’s third two-goal game of the season. Comets forward Graeme Clarke was also in San Jose this past weekend, representing Utica at the AHL All-Star Classic presented by Tech CU, playing alongside Belleville’s Crookshank and other North Division rivals. Clarke sits among the league leaders in game-winning goals (six) and has four points against Belleville (two goals, two assists) in two games so far this season. Goaltender Isaac Poulter has also picked up three straight wins and stopped 27 of 32 shots in his last appearance against Toronto last weekend. At the rink: It’s Super Friday at CAA Arena tonight, with football theming, games, and activations throughout the night. The first 1,500 fans will receive a free Belleville Sens mini foam football to take home, with tailgate food specials also available. Fans are also encouraged to wear their favourite sports jersey and stop by guest services, inside Gate 2, to enter our door prize jaw for a chance to win Belleville Sens team-signed merchandise, Ottawa Senators signed merchandise and other prizes. 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: Today’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 CAA Arena, in Belleville, Ontario, begins at 6:50 p.m. (ET) with David Foot and Tim Durkin. 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
