The Belleville Senators (21-25-8-0, 50 points) are set to face the Utica Comets (16-25-5-4, 41 points) on February 27, 2026, at the Adirondack Bank Center, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. Fans can watch the game live on FLO Sports or purchase tickets through Ticketmaster. This Belleville Senators game preview focuses on the stakes and preparations for both teams as they meet in this tightly contested AHL matchup.
Recent Performance of the Belleville Senators
Belleville has been struggling lately, dropping three consecutive games, most recently a 4-0 loss to Hartford last Saturday. Over their past five contests, the Senators hold a 1-4-0-0 record, averaging 1.8 goals scored per game while allowing 3.6 goals against. Despite these difficulties, Belleville has the upper hand in the season series against Utica with a 3-1-0-0 record.
Current Status of the Utica Comets
The Comets also enter the game having lost 6-3 to the Hershey Bears in their last outing on Wednesday night. Their recent form includes a 2-2-0-1 record across five games, with an average of two goals scored and 2.4 goals conceded per game. Versus Belleville this season, Utica’s record stands at 1-1-0-2, indicating a closely matched rivalry.
Projected Player Lineups for the Belleville Senators
Belleville’s lineup is expected to include forwards Kaliyev, Daoust, and Bourgault leading the top line, followed by Lycksell, Halliday, and Boucher on the second line. Supporting lines will feature Bongiovanni, Pilon, and Hodgson, as well as Rees, Pettersson, and Hookey. The defense pairs Donovan with Thomson, Harrington with Yakemchuk, and Hamara with Gilbert, while Parsons and Sogaard are anticipated to handle goaltending duties.
Expected Utica Comets Line Combinations
The Comets’ forward lines will likely feature Crookshank, Melovsky, and Parent on the first line, with Hardman, Criscuolo, and Halonen on the second. LaChance, Schmelzer, and Filmon form the third line, complemented by Gruden, McLaughlin, and Legare on the fourth. Defensive pairs include Vilen-Addison, Cholowski-Osipov, and Edwards-Strand, with Daws and Malek tending the goal.
Key Players to Watch in This Matchup
For Belleville, Arthur Kaliyev leads the team with 50 points, including 30 goals, making him a constant offensive threat. Philippe Daoust’s 30 assists highlight his playmaking ability, while Djibril Toure and Tyler Boucher both hold team-best plus/minus ratings of plus-six. On the Utica side, Brian Halonen and Kyle Criscuolo top the scoring chart with 24 points each, with Halonen contributing 15 goals. Seamus Casey leads assists with 18, and Dmitry Osipov holds a plus/minus rating of plus-eight, underscoring his defensive reliability.
Anticipation Builds for the Next Encounter
Both teams will meet again promptly after this game, on February 28, 2026, as Belleville hosts the Utica Comets at home. This back-to-back sequence increases the intensity around this matchup and could have significant implications for team morale and positioning in the standings as the AHL season progresses.
