B-Sens Still Chasing Hershey For Final Playoff Spot

April 1, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Binghamton Senators News Release


LAST WEEK: The B-Sens (33-28-8-5, 79 pts.) were 1-1-0-1 last week to remain in the thick of the East Division playoff race. The B-Sens began the week with their most dominating win of the season, a 7-1 rout of Hamilton at the Arena on Wednesday night. A trip to Philadelphia on Friday night wasn't as friendly, with the Phantoms edging the B-Sens 5-3. The B-Sens capped the weekend grabbing a key point in Rochester on Sunday with a shootout loss against the Amerks.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26th vs. HAMILTON (7-1 W): The B-Sens dominated the Bulldogs from start to finish in their most lopsided win of the year. Alexander Nikulin buried two goals for the B-Sens and added one assist to lead the B-Sens attack. Niko Dimitrakos, Nick Foligno and Matt Kinch each had one goal and one assist to lead the B-Sens attack. Netminder Brian Elliott stopped 39 of 40 shots in net. Thirteen Binghamton players found the score sheet, including Denis Hamel for his team-leading 31st marker of the season. The win marked the first of the season against the defending Calder Cup champion Bulldogs. With the victory, Binghamton extended its record versus the North Division to 12-6-3-0.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28th @ PHILADELPHIA (3-5 L): Center Justin Mapletoft buried his league-leading eighth shorthanded goal of the season for Binghamton. Defenseman Matt Kinch collected two helpers for his third consecutive two-point game. The Phantoms outshot the B-Sens 40-22 on the night. Danny Bois and Scott May also tallied for the B-Sens. The B-Sens finished 3-4-0-1 against the Phantoms this season.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30th @ ROCHESTER (3-4 SOL): Binghamton's bid for a season sweep of the Rochester Americans was spoiled as the Amerks battled back to tie the game in the final seconds before going on to victory in a shootout. Left wing Nick Foligno buried the B-Sens first two goals of the night, a new AHL high for the 20-year-old rookie. Defenseman Derek Smith chipped in for Binghamton's third goal, a shorthanded tally in the second period. The B-Sens converted on one of eight shootout attempts, with Josh Hennessy the only skater finding twine. Rochester slipped two past netminder Brian Elliott to secure the victory.

THIS WEEK: The B-Sens face upstate NY rival Syracuse (39-26-2-6, 86 pts.) on Wednesday night. Binghamton returns to home ice on Friday night to host the Hershey Bears (38-30-1-5, 82 pts.) in a critical East Division contest. The B-Sens return on Saturday night for their end of a home-and-home series against the Springfield Falcons (32-31-5-5, 74 pts.).

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2nd @ SYRACUSE (7:00): Syracuse is currently the hottest team in the league, winning nine of their last 10 games and earning points in 16 straight. After winning three straight against the Crunch, the B-Sens have dropped their last two. Zenon Konopka's hat trick powered the Crunch to a 4-3 overtime win over the B-Sens on March 16. Konopka leads Syracuse with 51 points (22+29=51), with seven of those points coming in four games versus Binghamton.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4th vs. HERSHEY (7:05): The B-Sens have been chasing the Bears for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division for weeks. The Bears are .500 over their last ten games, but they hold a 5-1-0-0 record against the B-Sens this year. Fortunately for the B-Sens, winger Grant Potulny will not be skating for the Bears after being loaned to Springfield in February. Potulny netted seven goals, including one game-winner, in six games against Binghamton this year.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5th vs. SPRINGFIELD (7:05): The Falcons are currently five points behind Manchester in the Atlantic Division for the fourth and final playoff position. Springfield defeated the B-Sens 5-3 on Dec. 11 at the MassMutual Center. Center Rob Schremp buried two goals and added one assist to lead the Falcons to the victory. Schremp powers the offensive attack with 67 points (19+48=67).

SENS SNIPPETS: The B-Sens are 22-2-1-2 when leading after the second period this season. Defenseman Matt Kinch has tied his career-high with seven goals this season. He registered seven goals while playing for the Hartford Wolfpack during the 2002-03 season. Justin Mapletoft continues to add to his franchise record for shorthanded goals with his eighth this past week. Mapletoft's 17 goals are a career-high.

SENS TRANSACTIONS: The Ottawa Senators reassigned left wing Kaspars Daugavins from Mississauga (OHL) to Binghamton on Saturday.

SENS LEADERS:

POINTS: HAMEL (31+24=54)

GOALS: HAMEL (31), HENNESSY (20)

ASSISTS: NYCHOLAT (36), NIKULIN (34)

PPG: HAMEL (14), NYCHOLAT (8)

SHG: MAPLETOFT (8), HAMEL (4)

GWG: HAMEL (5), HENNESSY & MAULDIN (3)

WINS: ELLIOTT (18)

GAA: GLASS (2.80)

SENS ON THE AIR: Catch all the action LIVE on WINR 680-AM & WENE 1430-AM, via webcast or B2 Networks streaming video cast at www.binghamtonsenators.com

2008-09 SEASON TICKETS: 2008-09 season tickets are on sale. Please call the Binghamton Senators' executive office at (607) 722-SENS for information on ticket packages.



American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central