Share this Game Day Build-Up: Sens welcome Rocket to wrap home-and-home set on Bell Let’s Talk Night January 20, 2024 Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up Jan.20/24 vs Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens) The Set-Up: The Belleville Sens (18-14-2-2-) have officially reached the halfway point of the American Hockey League season and they’ve put themselves in a good spot for a second-half charge, sitting tied with Rochester for third place in the North Division at 40 points. The Sens enter the second half just four points back of second place Syracuse and 10 back of first place Cleveland and will try to pick up a couple more points and hold off the Laval Rocket’s (16-14-4-1) push to catch them in the standings, at CAA Arena tonight as the divisional rivals wrap up their home-and-home set on Bell Let’s Talk Night. The Sens fell 5-2 to the Rocket in Laval on Friday, in what can only be described as a prototypical rivalry game, that was back-and-forth and extremely physical, with the teams combining for 85 minutes in penalties, and tonight’s matchup is expected to have a similar feel. Previous History: Tonight is the 75th all-time meeting between Belleville and Laval, with the Sens lifetime record against the Rocket falling to 41-29-1-3, after Friday’s loss. Belleville is now 3-2-0-0 against Laval on the season but is 2-0-0-0 on home ice this year and 23-11-0-3 against the Rocket at CAA Arena all-time. After tonight’s game, the divisional rivals won’t play again until late March. Roster Notes: There were no transactions for the Senators overnight, but Head Coach Dave Bell said after Friday’s game that a pair of big additions could make their return. Boko Imama is eligible to return after serving a three-game suspension and Garrett Pilon may be available after missing a couple of games due to injury. The Sens will again be without the services of Phil Daoust and Roby Jarventie, who remain on the injured list. Full lineup information, including tonight’s alignment, will be available before the puck drop. Who to Watch: Sens defenders Jacob Larsson and Tyler Kleven both scored in Laval on Friday and both stretched their point streaks to three games. Larsson has collected four points over that stretch (two goals, two assists), while Kleven has three points (one goal, three assists). Forward Cole Reinhardt, who had an assist last night, will play in his 200th career American Hockey League game tonight. Laval continues to have contributions throughout their lineup, as they’ve extended their team point streak to eight games. Philippe Maillet has at least a point in each of those games (five goals, seven assists), while Emile Heineman has points in four straight games (two goals, three assists). Forward Jan Mysak had three points on Friday (one goal, two assists) as well, with goaltenders Jakub Dobes has earned at least a point in five straight starts, and Kasimir Kaskisuo has won his last three appearances. At the rink: It’s Bell Let’s Talk Night at CAA Arena increasing awareness about mental health. As part of Saturday’s event and leading up to Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 24, the Senators will be sharing in-game messages promoting mental health awareness and initiatives and discussing how they make their mental health a priority. The first 2,500 fans will also receive a free Bell Let’s Talk Toque, with members of the Quinte West Youth Centre also on hand to promote an increased focus on youth mental health. Bell will also be supporting the QWYC by donating tickets, and a special cheque presentation will take place during the pregame ceremonial puck drop. 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 Place Bell, in Laval, Quebec, 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
