November began strongly for the Belleville Senators with a 7-4 road win at Upstate Medical University Arena against the Syracuse Crunch in their last game six days ago.
Through nine games this season, Belleville has seen a big jump from some of its players on the roster. Stephen Halliday, Xavier Bourgault, Wyatt Bongiovanni and Tyler Boucher are just a few of the team's players who have made some solid strides this season.
Although Belleville is in a steady position with a 4-4-1-0 overall record ahead of tonight's game at 7 p.m. ET against the Utica Comets at Adirondack Bank Center, it will be the start of the first true test for the season.
Belleville has incredible busy schedule ahead
Tonight is the start of a pivotal six-game stretch for Belleville, and the schedule isn't a friendly one either.
Belleville's next six games on its schedule:
Tonight @ Utica Comets
Tomorrow vs Hartford Wolf Pack
Sunday vs Laval Rocket
Nov. 12 @ Rochester Americans
Nov. 14 @ Utica Comets
Nov. 15 @ Syracuse Crunch
It's a good thing Belleville hasn't played since last Saturday, with tonight being the start of a back-to-back-to-back. Three games in three nights, with the first one starting on the road, can be a tough task mentally and physically. However, it's one that the team will have to embrace for the team to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs this Spring.
After the three consecutive games, three road games await the team in a four-night span in New York. Having three road games over a four-night span can be exhausting for a team. However, there's a reason to be optimistic for Belleville.
Belleville has beaten two of the five opponents on the schedule earlier this season. While Belleville hasn't played Hartford and lost the first meeting against Rochester, it's still early into the season to get ahead in the standings.
Tonight, Utica awaits Belleville to begin the tough six-game stretch.