
Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs. Comets, March 20
March 20, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Belleville Senators News Release
The set-up
It's the game everyone around the AHL has had circled on their calendars for a while as the Belleville Senators and Utica Comets do battle in a gigantic contest in the North Division playoff race.
Belleville (32-25-3-5) comes into tonight's game holding onto the fourth and final playoff spot in the North where they hold a four-point lead on the Comets, as well as the Monsters, as the Sens look to remain in control of their destiny.
Utica (30-27-6-2) has been holding onto fourth spot for the majority of the season but have been in a recent downfall that has seen them go 1-8-1 over their last 10 games, and coupled with Belleville's recent 17-game point streak, now find themselves on the outside looking in of a playoff spot.
The Senators are 19-8-1-3 at CAA Arena this season while the Comets are 13-14-3-2 on the road. The Sens also boast the third best home power play in the Eastern Conference at 22.3 percent while their 208 goals are the sixth most in the AHL.
Roster notes
Filip Gustavsson, Boston Leier and Aaron Luchuk are back with Belleville after spending some time in Brampton.
Marcus Hogberg is expected to start tonight for Belleville but expect Gustavsson to get a start either Friday or Saturday night. The Swedish netminder last played an AHL game on Feb. 9 as Hogberg has started the last 14.
Andrew Sturtz, Max Lajoie and Morgan Klimchuk are out for Belleville.
Previous history
Tonight's contest is the final match-up this year between the two sides. Belleville is 3-2 this season against the Comets and have won both games at CAA Arena. The Sens won the last meeting 5-2 on Jan. 19.
Who to watch
Former Comet Darren Archibald will be looking to bury his old team as he looks to guide Belleville into the playoffs. Archibald has played 19 games since joining Belleville where he has seven goals and 14 points.
Reid Boucher continues to be an elite player in the AHL as in 48 games this year, he has 55 points. His 27 goals are tied for seventh most in the AHL this year.
Where to watch
Wednesday's game starts at 7:00pm and can also be seen on AHLTV as well as Facebook Watch. Fans can also watch tonight's contest at Shoeless Joe's in Belleville.
The radio broadcast on CJBQ 800 begins at 6:50pm with Jack Miller on the call and David Foot on colour.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2019
- Sens Move Six Clear of Utica - Belleville Senators
- Bridgeport extends point streak at home to eight games in overtime loss to Toronto on Wednesday - Bridgeport Islanders
- P-Bruins Drop Only Trip to Laval 3-2 in Shootout - Providence Bruins
- Special Teams Send Checkers over Syracuse - Charlotte Checkers
- Crunch Downed by Checkers, 4-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Comets Late Push Not Enough in Belleville - Utica Comets
- Anaheim Ducks Recall Welinski - San Diego Gulls
- Eagles Add Defenseman Peter Tischke - Colorado Eagles
- Game #58 Preview: Tucson vs. Iowa - Tucson Roadrunners
- Moose Reassign Justin Woods - Manitoba Moose
- Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Defenseman Cameron Gaunce from Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Bears Weekly: New Point Streak Starts as Bears Eye Playoff Spot - Hershey Bears
- Thunderbirds Sign F Brendan Robbins to ATO, Recall F Matt Marcinew from Manchester (ECHL) - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Drew Melanson Recalled from Maine of ECHL, Greg Chase Released from PTO - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Roadrunners Sign Aliu to Professional Tryout - Tucson Roadrunners
- Marlies Visit Bridgeport for Midweek Match Up - Toronto Marlies
- Griffins Sign Loggins to Three-Year Contract, Pearson to ATO - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Bring Your Dog to the BMO Tonight for Hogs' Lottery Cup Showdown - Rockford IceHogs
- Bears Sign Forward Joe Snively to Amateur Tryout Agreement - Hershey Bears
- Admirals Sign Novak to ATO - Milwaukee Admirals
- Libor Sulak Recalled by Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monsters Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission with 'Moon Landing Night' this Saturday - Cleveland Monsters
- Devils Ink Ryan Walker to Amateur Tryout - Binghamton Devils
- Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs. Comets, March 20 - Belleville Senators
- Sound Tigers Look for Eighth Straight Home Win Tonight - Bridgeport Islanders
- Chaput's Two Spur Roadrunners to a 5-2 Victory over Iowa - Tucson Roadrunners
- Iowa Falters against Tucson in 5-2 Loss - Iowa Wild
- Moose Need OT to Repel San Diego - Manitoba Moose
- Griffins Win Second Consecutive Shootout, 2-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Gulls Rally from Three Down to Grab Point - San Diego Gulls
- Rampage Fall to Griffins in Shootout - San Antonio Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Belleville Senators Stories
- Belleville Sens Season Ends against Rival Rocket
- Belleville Sens Launch 2024-25 Year in Review and #MySensMoment Campaign
- Belleville Sens Announce 2024-25 Player Award Winners
- Comeback Falls Just Short in Sens Season Finale
- Sens' Playoff Push Ends in 5-1 Loss in Laval

