Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens host Comets to begin Home Opener Weekend presented by CAA

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Oct.19/24 vs Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils)

The Set Up:

Following a season-opening road trip that saw them pick up three points against divisional opponents, the Belleville Sens finally return to CAA Arena, six months after their last home game, as they open the home portion of the 2024-25 season against the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils) for the Home Opener presented by CAA. B-Sens players have been excited to be back on home ice and experience the energy brought to CAA Arena during last season’s Calder Cup Playoffs. The Senators welcome a Comets team that sputtered at home out of the gate, dropping back-to-back decisions to Syracuse and Rochester, while being outscored 9-1 over those two matchups.

Previous History:

The eight-game season series between Belleville and Utica last season was quite competitive, with the B-Sens taking a 5-3-0-0 record (3-1-0-0 at home and 2-2-0-0 on the road) and outscoring the Comets by a slim 24-23 margin. In 38 lifetime meetings between Belleville and Utica, the B-Sens are 19-16-3-0 and 11-8-1-0 at CAA Arena.

Roster Notes:

Belleville will be without goaltender Mads Sogaard, who has been up in Ottawa for most of the week, with NHL Sens goaltender Linus Ullmark out with an injury. Rookie netminder Michael Simpson has been called up from the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) and will join Leevi Merilainen as one-of-two prospective starters in net tonight. Forward Wyatt Bongiovanni was banged up in the preseason and hasn’t yet played for Belleville, but there’s no word yet on what the lineup will look like tonight. Full lineup details, including line combinations and defence pairings, will be available via the B-Sens social media feeds (@BellevilleSens) before puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Belleville newcomer Jan Jenik is the only Senator to have picked up a point in each of the club’s opening two contests. The 24-year-old from Nymburk, Czechia had an assist in the season opener in Rochester last Friday, before scoring his first goal in a Belleville uniform, in the shootout loss at Syracuse last Saturday. The Senators acquired Jenik in a trade with Arizona (now Utah), that saw Egor Sokolov go the other way. Jenik has collected 122 points (47 goals, 75 assists) in 167 career AHL games, while also picking up four goals and two assists in 22 career NHL games.

29-year-old forward Max Willman was the only Comet to score in their first two games of the season, last weekend. The native of Barnstable, Massachusetts, scored Utica’s only goal in a 4-1 loss at home to Rochester last Saturday. The former Brown University graduate split last season between the Comets, where he had 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 33 games, and their NHL parent club in New Jersey, where he had four points (three goals, one assist) over 18 games. In his career, Willman has notched 90 points (45 goals, 45 assists) in 177 AHL games, and 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 68 NHL contests with New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

At the Rink:

Tonight’s matchup kicks off Home Opener Weekend, presented by CAA, with plenty going on around the rink to keep you busy. Before the game, fans can meet the players and get autographs as the team walks the red carpet into Gate 1, starting around 3:30 p.m. Starting at 4:00 p.m., the Fan Fest opens in the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre gymnasium featuring inflatables, games and activities. Once inside, after doors open at 6:00 p.m., fans will receive a free Belleville Sens foldable noisemaker, courtesy of CAA. Fans can also browse dozens of new clothing, hats, and souvenir styles at The Locker Room Store, from brands like Zephyr, 47 Brand, Blue 84, Violent Gentlemen, Sticker Mule and more.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for tonight’s Home Opener presented by CAA and all games through the first half of the 2024-25 Belleville Sens season are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. or The Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena will be open from Noon to 7:30 p.m. today.

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.

Follow the Action:

Fans should be in their seats early for the player introductions, which begin around 7:00 p.m., puck drop tonight is set for about 7:10 p.m. from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. with David Foot and Brock Ormond, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage on both platforms begins at 6:50 p.m., with David Foot.

The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available by clicking here. 

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