Roster Notes:
There will likely be a bit of added focus on the Belleville blue line tonight, as Nikita Zaitsev joins the team, after clearing waivers from the Ottawa Senators last week. The 31-year-old brings a solid resume into the Friendly City, which includes 405 NHL games split between Toronto and Ottawa, along with a IIHF World Junior Championship title in 2010/11, a pair of IIHF World Championship bronze medals and multiple KHL all-star selections. With Zaitsev drawing in, Xavier Bernard will be a healthy scratch. Jarid Lukosevicus will rejoin the lineup in place of Matt Wedman, who blocked a shot with his foot last night and left the game. Logan Flodell will make his first start of the season, after coming into Wednesday’s game in relief of Antoine Bibeau, who will back up tonight.
Injury Report:
Who to Watch:
Newly-acquired forward Brennan Saulnier has made an immediate impact for Belleville, notching three assists in his first two games. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native has fit in nicely on the Sens “identity line”, alongside Scott Sabourin and Cole Cassels and Scott Sabourin, after being traded from the Laval Rocket earlier this week.
A familiar name to some local hockey fans, Crunch defender Declan Carlile has had a strong start to his first full pro season. The former Wellington Dukes standout has three points in his last three games, including a goal and an assist in Syracuse’s win over Springfield earlier this week.
Follow the action:
Tonight’s game can be
seen on AHL TV, or heard live on the
Belleville Sens Entertainment Network
Zaitzev starts for Belleville
