Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Jan.4/25 @ Utica Comets (NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils)
The Set Up:
It might be a new year, but it was another frustrating defeat for the Belleville Senators in Syracuse on Friday Night. Belleville put another new season high of 43 shots on net, but goals from Tyler Boucher and Matt Highmore weren’t enough to help Belleville back into the win column, as the Sens fell for the fourth consecutive game. However, a season’s first visit to Utica tonight provides opportunities to pick up a victory and get some payback on the Comets, who beat Belleville 4-3 in overtime on New Year’s Eve at CAA Arena for just their third win in the past 10 games. As the Comets try to dig out of the North basement, 13 points back of Belleville, the Senators are looking to regain ground on the rest of the division and begin the pushback into the playoff places with a little over 40 games to go.
Previous History:
Tonight’s matchup is the third of eight between Belleville and Utica this season as the North Division foes see each other a couple more times than usual in past years. Belleville has earned at least a point in each of those first two games this season, picking up a 5-4 win during their Home Opener presented by CAA, and then the New Year’s Eve overtime defeat, also at CAA Arena. This is Belleville’s first visit to Utica this season where they have a lifetime record of 8-8-2-0 in 18 games. In their lifetime against the Comets, the Senators are 20-16-4-0 over 40 games.
Roster Notes:
The Ottawa Senators made one more move yesterday after sending goaltender Mads Sogaard back to Belleville. Defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo was reassigned to Belleville as well, but didn’t arrive in Syracuse in time to dress in last night’s game, though he’s likely to get into the lineup tonight. Head Coach Dave Bell hasn’t yet decided on a goaltender after Mads Sogaard played last night in Syracuse. Mark Sinclair is the other goaltender on the trip for Belleville and if he starts, he would get a chance at some payback against the Comets for their win earlier in the week. He could also pick up his first career AHL victory if Belleville can come out on top. You can click here for a full list of up-to-date transactions, with lineup details available via the B-Sens social channels (@bellevillesens) before the game.
Who to Watch:
2021 first-round draft pick (10th overall) Tyler Boucher is starting to come along after an…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Belleville Sens…