Prospect Update: B-Sens Light It Up
The B-Sens hosted both the Manchester Monarchs and Albany Devils this weekend in hopes of picking up back-to-back wins for the first time this season
After almost a full week off, the Binghamton Senators took to the ice on Friday against the Manchester Monarchs (the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings). Michael Sdao opened the scoring for the Sens off of a failed breakout pass by the Monarchs. He picked up the loose puck just inside the blue line and snapped it hard on net, scoring on a shot that had no business going in the net to give the Sens an early 1-0 lead.
Manchester would tie it up 25 seconds later after a feed from the corner was quickly buried past Senator goaltender, Andrew Hammond. The tie would not last either, Binghamton regained the lead on a powerplay shortly thereafter. Matt Puempel rifled a pass through the penalty kill box to Jean-Gabriel Pageau who one-timed a pass down low to Cole Schneider who fired it home.
The Monarchs would tie it up again on a powerplay of their own when the Senators could not find the bouncing puck in the slot. The Monarchs got to it first and made it 2-2 halfway through the first period.
The Sens received another powerplay opportunity in the second period, and they took full advantage with a blast from the point from the league-leading point scorer, Chris Wideman. Yet again, the Monarchs would answer back with a powerplay goal of their own when a rebound was batted out of the air and past a helpless Hammond to make it 3-3.
Shortly after the goal, some pushing and shoving after the whistle led to a scrap between Binghamton's Michael Sdao and Manchester's Scott Sabourin. After the spirited fight finished, three other Senators (Dziurzynski, Kramer, and McCormick) all squared off for scraps of their own for a good old fashioned line brawl.
The Senators would get the last laugh in 4-on-4 overtime. Wideman fired it on net for a tip from Ryan Dzingel who picked up his own rebound and finished off the overtime winning goal for his fourth of the season.
Like the Ottawa Senators, Binghamton continues to give up way too many shots on a nightly basis. They gave up 42 shots on Friday, including 22 in the first period. Not an ideal situation, but Hammond played well enough for the Sens to get the win.
Binghamton Senators 4 - Manchester Monarchs 3 (OT)
Binghamton Senators Record: 6-8-2
Saturday: Albany Devils at Binghamton Senators
Coming off an overtime win the previous night, the Senators looked to string together back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Derek Grant would open the scoring for the Sens with a shot from through traffic from the high slot. Not long after, Garret Thompson would tip home an Aaron Johnson point shot for the 2-0 lead.
The Sens would pour it on in the second period, with a bad angle powerplay goal from Patrick Mullen. Wideman would follow that up with a blast of his own. Carter Camper would get in on the fun with one of his own after some excellent offensive zone play by the Sens. They went into the second intermission up by a score of 5-0.
In the third, Derek Grant would backhand home his second of the night when he beat a discouraged Albany team to a loose rebound in the slot. On a late penalty kill, Buddy Robinson stole the puck behind the Albany net, dished it out to Pageau who put the Sens up by a converted touchdown, 7-0.
It was great to see the Sens start converting on their opportunities and finally string together back-to-back wins. Everything seemed to be clicking for the Sens, as 13 of 18 Senator skaters picked up at least a point. Hammond shut the door for a 31-save shutout.
Binghamton Senators 7 - Albany Devils 0
Binghamton Senators Record: 7-8-2
Who Stood Out this Week:
Chris Wideman: He got back on track this week, potting a goal and an assist in each game this weekend. He is now first in the league in points with 21 (10 goals and 11 assists). Wideman is also sixth in the AHL with 58 shots (Pageau is second with 66).
The Week Ahead:
Wednesday, November 26 at 7:00pm. St. John's IceCaps at Binghamton Senators
Friday, November 28 at 7:00pm. Binghamton Senators at Syracuse Crunch
Saturday, November 29 at 7:00pm. Rochester Americans at Binghamton Senators
Notable Updates from North American Prospects:
Francis Perron: He played in both QMJHL vs. Russia games of the Subway Super Series and scored one goal and recorded an assist through the two games. He continued his busy week with another three games with Rouyn-Noranda, picking up a goal and three assists. Perron is now tied for 12th in the QMJHL points race with 15 goals and 19 assists.
Ben Harpur: He returned from his suspension and chipped in on every goal in a 3-0 win for his Guelph Storm over the Kitchener Rangers, picking up a goal and two assists.
Tobias Lindberg: He put up one goal and three assists in three games this week with the Oshawa Generals. He continues to be Mr. Consistency, as he has only failed to record a point in four of 22 games this season.
Nick Paul: He only played two games this week, recording two assists in a 3-0 win over Sudbury.
Chris Driedger: It was a much better week for Driedger with the ECHL Evansville Icemen. He received three starts, earning a 34 save shutout win on Wednesday, a 4-0 loss on Friday, and a 6-2 win on Sunday.
