game day Share this Game Day Build-Up: Senators welcome Bears to Belleville for weekend double-dip at CAA Arena January 24, 2025 Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up Jan.24/25 vs Hershey Bears (AHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals) The Set Up: The Belleville Senators’ rescheduled game last weekend in Wilkes-Barre has made for a long week between games. Nevertheless, the practice time was very welcome as the club continued to adjust to injuries, call-ups, and new faces in the lineup. Beginning a three-game homestand tonight. The Sens return to action against their last opponent, the two-time defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears, who beat Belleville 4-1 at Giant Center a week ago and have picked up points in five straight games and seven of their last eight. For Belleville, two games against the defending champs this weekend give them a chance first to get some payback for last Friday but also settle in on home ice and show that the group is capable of far more than perhaps they’ve shown in recent weeks. Previous History: Belleville’s loss to the Bears in Hershey last Friday dropped its overall record against the Capitals affiliate to 5-7-0-1 and 4-2-0-1 at Giant Center. Tonight’s meeting is the 21st between the clubs and the second of four this season. Another matchup is tomorrow at CAA Arena, and the season series finale will be in Chocolatetown, USA, in March. Roster Notes: The biggest addition is that of 1,000+-game National Hockey League veteran Sam Gagner to the Belleville lineup tonight. The 35-year-old forward from London, Ontario, signed a professional tryout with the Senators today. The hope is that Gagner can provide an offensive spark and more veteran leadership to a team continuing to deal with roster turnover and turmoil. On the injury front, Belleville Sens Head Coach Dave Bell says there’s no update on the conditions of goaltenders Mads Sogaard and Malcolm Subban or forward Tyler Boucher. Defenceman Wyatte Wylie is skating again but is not expected to play tonight, while captain Garrett Pilon will return from a week off. Defenceman Kris Myllari and goaltender Mark Sinclair also remain with the Senators on PTOs. Before the game, you can click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions, with lineup details available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens). Who to Watch: Senators forward Angus Crookshank has been Belleville’s most consistent producer of late, finding his name on the scoresheet in three straight games (one goal, two assists). The North Vancouver, BC product was the only Senator to score in Hershey last weekend and is sitting on 69 career AHL goals, just seven back of Egor Sokolov for the Belleville Sens franchise lead. Forward Stephen Halliday had an assist last week and, with 24 points, is among the top-scoring rookies in the league. The Bears have seen plenty of impact from the back-end of late, with defender Chase Priskie picking up three points (two goals, one assist) over his past two games, including a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s overtime loss at Laval. Meanwhile, Bears forward and AHL All-Star Classic representative Ethan Bear also had an assist in Hershey’s last game. He’s, in fact, had a helper in six of his last seven games played, with a total of eight assists over that span. Goaltender Hunter Shepard has won his last four consecutive starts and his 15 wins have him second in that category in the league. At the Rink: CAA Arena gates will open at 6:00 p.m. tonight with Season Seat Members being hosted for an exclusive “Spaghetti with the Sens event”, plus members of Donovan Sebrango’s family will be set up on the concourse raising awareness and funds about the work of National Service Dogs. This Canadian non-profit provides training to prospective future service animals. The Sebrangos will also raise funds to help support the vet bills of “Ranger,” an NSD trainee pup Donovan sponsored during his time with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. It’s also Pizza Hut Friday! Fans who purchase tickets to any Friday home game can take their ticket stub to Pizza Hut Belleville (at 135 Cannifton Road) for 10% off their purchase at Pizza Hut Belleville. And if the Belleville Sens win, you’ll get 20% off! Following the game, fans who purchase digital tickets will receive a coupon code to their Ticketmaster account email, which can be redeemed in-store, and the offer is valid for 48 hours following the game. The Locker Room Store will also be open inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre before the game, with all the latest Sens gear and merchandise available at the Gate 2 Locker Room Store kiosk. Follow the Action: Puck drop today is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. ET with David Foot and Tim Durkin, can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Ticket Info: Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games through the 2024-25 season 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 can click the following links for more information on becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. For more details on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages, visit the Belleville Sens website or email tickets@bellevillesens.com. The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available here. 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
