Senators' Prospect Roundup, Nov. 22, 2011

This last week saw Binghamton extend its losing skid to eight, before rebounding with an important win Friday night against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Unfortunately for the B-Sens, the return to the W column has been followed by six days of no scheduled matches. Although the break would be more torturous had the team dropped their ninth straight, it is unwelcome either way. Binghamton will look to build some momentum this coming Thursday at home against the Adirondack Phantoms, Friday on the road in Syracuse against the Crunch, and Saturday back at home against Wilkes Barre/Scranton. The AHL schedule is unforgiving. 

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3, Binghamton Senators 0

The B-Sens beat themselves in this one. Outshot 32-25, the team negated just about every powerplay opportunity by taking a penalty of their own. This loss was pretty much in the mould of the previous seven. Taking penalties and being outshot is a perfect recipe to losing a game, something the B-Sens had become quite accustomed to. 

For insight into happier times, prospects and more, take the jump with me.

Binghamton Senators 4, Hamilton Bulldogs 2

A win! Oh, glorious victory! Yes, I'm being a little dramatic. It's fitting, though. The last time Binghamton won a game, it was Halloween weekend. It was also an important one to win. For players who are going to spend most of their season playing in the AHL, getting the chance to spend two games in an NHL arena in front of a larger crowd, is pretty memorable. Losing both of those games would have been a serious disappointment. Also, Binghamton wouldn't have gotten another chance at the Bulldogs- the last week's meetings were the only two of the season. How did they do it? Nikita Filatov was a major part of the equation, scoring two and adding an assist. He looked strong all night, as did Captain Mark Parrish. Mike McKenna made some highlight reel saves that helped to cushion Binghamton's lead. With one Bulldog bearing down on an empty net in the first period, McKenna managed to dart across the crease and make the stop. Another good piece of the puzzle: outshooting Hamilton, something they accomplished only twice in the previous eight games. While Binghamton took the majority of penalties in the game, they were the ones to capitalize: Filatov and Cannone had two on the man advantage, while the Bulldogs scored one. Riley Armstrong, playing his first game since being called up from Elmira, had a goal and an assist. Also, I was there, so that was pretty super. 

Mike McKenna started the game on Friday, and you can count on him likely getting the start this coming Thursday. It seemed as though the B-Sens expected Robin Lehner to be ready (he went down in practice), when they sent Brian Stewart back to the ECHL. It seems as though he won't be- Brian Stewart was called back up yesterday. 

How them kids are doing:

• You can take a look at the full table of numbers, courtesy of the Senators' weekly prospect update. 
• Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been putting up outstanding numbers and was recognized for it earlier this season. Much to the chagrin of the Olympiques, he is expected to be out for about a month with a broken finger. 18 goals in 17 games made Pageau Gatineau's highest scoring player. The next player in line has 13 goals in 25 games. 
• Picked one round earlier and one year earlier, Jakub Culek is Ottawa's only other prospect playing in Quebec Major Junior Hockey. He has not had an explosive start to the season- Culek's point totals have actually declined from his first season for Rimouski, although he was restrained by injury last year.
• Shane Prince continues to do what he does. Tyler Toffoli, Prince and Sean Monahan have all been outstanding for the 67's so far this year.
• Mark Stone is the leading scorer in the CHL. Go figure. He has three more points than Barrie's Tanner Pearson, who went undrafted in the Twin Cities last year. I imagine most people are excited to see how Stone performs at the next level. And where Pearson gets drafted this year.
• In three games last week, Mika Zibanejad was a -4. As if that stat isn't compliment enough, Mika has not had any points lately. This afternoon, Zibanejad's Djurgardens club are playing Alfie's hockey alma mater, Frolunda. 
• Patrick Wiercioch was called out by Coach KK earlier in the week, and responded on Friday night. He had an assist and four shots on goal. The BoroCop led the team in shots, with five.