WB/S Pens Double Up BSens 4-2
Matt O’Connor pulled early with the damage already completed in Binghamton’s latest loss
Inconsistency has been the word and the latest burden surrounding the Binghamton Senators as the club took another hit in the loss column following a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night.
The loss was the Senators sixth out of the last eight games, as they fall nine points out of the final playoff position in the North Division behind next week’s opponents, the fourth place St. John’s IceCaps.
The WB/S Penguins, with the best record in the league (36-11-3-0) jumped to an early 2-0 lead after goals from defenseman David Warsofsky and forward Sahir Gill 2:02 apart in the opening minutes of the first period that abruptly ended the night of goalie Matt O’Connor, as he was quickly replaced by Chris Driedger in net. Completely different outcome tonight from the second year pro after his performance in Friday night’s win over Syracuse.
Binghamton (20-25-2-1) would see some light after they cut the Penguins lead in half in the second period, as Casey Bailey recorded his 13th of the season on a one-timer from a short pass by defenseman Michael Kostka from the blueline.
Followed by forward Kyle Flanagan, as he reached his seventh of the year with a two on nothing break with Francis Perron after a Penguins turnover at center ice. His wrist shot eluded Pens netminder Casey DeSmith as he ended up with 30 saves on the night.
However, that would be it as far as any comeback was concerned despite the overall shots in favor of the Sens 32-29.
POST GAME NOTES
- O’Connor pulled after he gave up two goals on four shots in the beginning of the first period as Driedger was called in. That’s been the story of O’Connor’s short career in the pros, one step ahead, two steps back. Not sure on the thinking of starting O’C in back-to-back games as he should have been rested with confidence in the win up in Syracuse. Major backfire tonight.
- Bailey’s goal tied him with Max McCormick and Jack Rodewald with 13 for the team lead. He’s got a legitimate shot with a NHL club but I don’t see it being with Ottawa. Unless they unload some dead weight.
- Power play continues to be a total disaster this season with another 0’fer, this time 0 for 6.
- Ben Harpur looks to have turned the corner with another assist tonight giving him 14 so far in 41 games as I’m thinking of having him front and center in my next Bingo Bites.
- Akeson-Varone-Rodewald, McCormick-Paul-Bailey, Krushelnyski-Nehring-Blunden, Perron-Flanagan-Hagel. Englund/Harpur, Lepine/Kostka, Rumble/Carlisle. Sieloff and Gagne were again healthy scratches./
POST GAME HIGHLIGHTS
UPCOMING GAMES
Senators make their annual trek into northern territory to The Rock for the final time with the St.John’s IceCaps for two crucial games slated for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.