Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens make quick trip to Syracuse as season shifts into November

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Nov.2/24 @ Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning)

The Set Up:

It’s already a month into the 2024-25 AHL season, and it’s been a steady start for the Belleville Senators, who wrap up a two-game week in Syracuse tonight against the Crunch. The B-Sens have had their best October going back three seasons, collecting nine points over their first seven games and at least a point in all but one of those contests. Even that game, a 5-2 loss at home to Syracuse in their last meeting, was a one-goal game until the final 10 minutes and another example of how the Senators are a team that shouldn’t be taken lightly and is showing early signs of being a contender in again in the North Division. The Crunch, meanwhile, have been a worthy opponent for the Senators and sit just one point ahead of them in the standings, following an overtime win against visiting Hartford last night.

Previous History:

This is Belleville’s eighth game of the season and already their third against the Crunch. And, despite having a 7-1-0-0 record against Syracuse last season, have yet to pick up a win against them in 2024-25. The B-Sens are 0-1-0-1 against the Crunch this season, falling in a shootout in Syracuse on October 12 and dropping a 5-2 decision at home on October 20. Lifetime against Syracuse, Belleville is 20-17-2-3, and 6-10-2-3 lifetime on the road.

Roster Notes: 

There weren’t any significant transactions between Ottawa and Belleville between Wednesday’s game against Providence and publication time this morning. Forwards Hayden Hodgson and Jan Jenik remain injured, along with goaltender Mads Sogaard, while Wyatt Bongiovanni has been skating in full equipment this week but was questionable to play tonight, as of an injury update from Coach Bell earlier this week. With three forwards on the shelf, Belleville newcomer Jake Chiasson made his B-Sens debut last Wednesday and could see action again tonight. With Sogaard out, Malcolm Subban has been settling back into the Friendly City, but there’s been no indication if he’ll make his first appearance with the Senators, or if Leevi Merilainen will start for a fourth consecutive game.  A full list of up-to-date transactions can be found by clicking here, with full lineup details available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens) before the game.

How to Watch:

 Forward Cole Reinhardt returned from the NHL on Wednesday and scored again, putting him atop the team in overall points (six) and in a tie with defenceman Jeremy Davies for the team lead in goals (three). The 24-year-old Albertan is among the Belleville franchise leaders in games played and points and has four points (two goals, two assists) over his last two games. Belleville captain Forward Phil Daoust also has points in back-to-back games (two assists) and has added his name to the scoresheet in three of the four contests he’s played in this season.

Syracuse’s offence seems to be running through rookie forward Gabriel Szturc of late. The 21-year-old from Czechia has six assists over his last four games and is among the top rookie point-getters early in the season. Fellow rookie Niko Huuhtanen (one goal, one assist), and veteran offensive contributor Gage Goncalves (three assists) have points in back-to-back games. The Crunch also got a veteran boost this week when Connor Sheary was reassigned from their NHL parent club in Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old has played close to 600 NHL games, including a pair of Stanley Cup wins, but was minus-two in the Crunch’s Friday night overtime win against Hartford.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. from Upstate Medical University Arena at Syracuse, NY. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. with David Foot and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. 

Ticket Info:

Belleville’s next home game is Friday, November 8, against the Laval Rocket (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadians and is Military Appreciation Night. Tickets for that game and all games through the first half of the 2024-25 Belleville Sens 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 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 putting down a deposit for 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.

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.

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