B-Sens look to stay hot against Manitoba

When the Belleville Senators play the Manitoba Moose Wednesday night, they will be without forward Drake Batherson, who was called up to the National Hockey League last week, The Senators have managed a 4-1 record without Batherson, but he remains their leading point scorer and is fourth in points in the entire American Hockey League with 41. Photo courtesy of the Belleville Senators

By Allen Steinberg

BELLEVILLE –The North Division-leading Belleville Senators are back in action as they visit the Manitoba Moose Wednesday night.

The Senators (23-13-2-1) previously defeated the Moose 5-3 on Monday, perching them atop the North Division standings. The Sens have been firing on all cylinders this season as their 146 goals lead the AHL.

Manitoba has been struggling as of late, losing four in a row and sitting seventh in their division.

Belleville is showing no signs of homesickness this season, carrying a 14-3-1-0 record away from CAA Arena.

Defenceman Andreas Englund was playing for Ottawa in the NHL  just days ago, but cleared waivers and was reassigned to their AHL affiliate Belleville on Tuesday. He will rejoin the B-Sens Wednesday night, adding a veteran presence on their back end.

Joey Daccord suited up between the pipes for Monday’s win against the Moose, so it’s likely that coach Troy Mann will start the goaltender again. Daccord, a seventh-round selection by the Ottawa Senators in 2015, is 7-2 this season with one shutout and a .911 save percentage.

Forwards Jonathan Davidsson and Jordan Szwarz continue to be out of the lineup with injuries.