Ottawa Senators prospect roundup: April 6, 2011

To start off, a quick summary on where Ottawa Senators prospects are these days, in the various leagues: The Elmira Jackals have clinched a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season, the Binghamton Senators are in a playoff spot but aren't yet a lock, and Canadian major-junior and NCAA playoffs continue on this week. Read on for updates on our boys in Binghamton, the CHL, and NCAA.

To the jump!

The 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament continues tomorrow, with Louie Caporusso and Michigan looking to advance to the finals against Ben Blood's North Dakota  squad. Jeff Costello and Notre Dame will face Minnesota–Duluth in the battle of number three seeds. With North Dakota and Michigan facing each other in the National Semifinals, Ottawa is guaranteed at least one in the national championships, and could have two if Notre Dame wins.

Spokane beat the Chilliwack Bruins in five games and move on to the WHL semi-finals to take on the Tri-City Americans. Medicine Hat beat Brandon in six games, so Stone and his team is out of the playoffs while Hamilton and his move on to face the Red Deer Rebels. The Rimouski Oceanic put up a fight in the QMJHL playoffs, but were eliminated in 5 games by the Gatineau Olympiques. Only Jared Cowen and Wacey Hamilton remain in the playoffs, both captains of their WHL teams.

AHL

Binghamton gained only one point during their three game weekend (outscored 13-9 by their opponents) but lucky for Binghamton, Norfolk (who they play tonight) only has a two-point lead for fourth place in the East Division. Robin Lehner was pulled on Friday five after allowing five goals in the second, and Barry Brust played the rest of the week. In Friday's 6-4 loss the Crunch scored five unanswered goals in the second to take the lead, and eventually the win. But Binghamton did put up a fight in the third, out shooting Syracuse 22-7 in that final frame. On Saturday, Binghamton lost to Bridgeport 4-3, while being outplayed by AHL rookie scorer Rhett Rakhshani, Binghamton kept the game close with goals from Patrick Coulombe, Ryan Keller and Roman Wick. On Sunday, Binghamton held a 2-0 lead with two minutes left in the game. Cody Bass and Patrick Coulombe were set to be the game's only goal scorers, but Matt Anderson and Darcy Zajac tied the game and Albany went on to beat Binghamton in the shootout to win 3-2.

Corey Locke was named to the 2010-11 AHL First All-Star Team, and Andre Benoit received 2010-11 AHL Second All-Star Team honours.

ECHL

The ECHL playoffs started yesterday with the eighth-seeded Elmira Jackals going up against the number one seed Greenville Road Warriors. Greenville won game one by a 5-2 score, and game two is Wednesday night in Elmira.

Europe

David Rundblad and Skellefteå AIK are in the 2010–11 Elitserien Finals against Färjestads BK, which Färjestads BK leads with a 5-4 win in game one.

The Scouting Report's Top 2011 NHL Entry Draft-eligible players