B-Sens Weekly

January 21, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Binghamton Senators News Release


LAST WEEK...

Wednesday, Jan. 15: Binghamton 3, Adirondack 5

Shots: Binghamton 34, Adirondack 34

PP: Binghamton 0 for 6, Adirondack 2 for 4

Binghamton dropped their second straight game to Adirondack, falling 5-3 on the road to the Phantoms. Four Adirondack skaters recorded a goal and an assist while Yann Danis stopped 31 of 34 shots faced. B-Sens Corey Cowick notched two goals and an assist to lead Binghamton offensively.

Adirondack built a two goal-lead heading into the first intermission following Petr Straka and Kris Newbury's first period tallies. The Phantoms peppered Binghamton goaltender Andrew Hammond with 18 shots in the opening 20 minutes of play while the B-Sens managed only 11 chances on Danis.

Cowick cut the host's lead to one when he received a feed from Fredrik Claesson and carried the puck past a few Phantom defenders before lifting it past Danis. Cowick's fifth goal on the year broke an 18-game goalless streak. Just over two minutes later, Tye McGinn returned Adirondack's lead to two as he beat Hammond on the power-play for his seventh goal for the year. The B-Sens got one back before the final intermission when Wacey Hamilton scored shorthanded for his second goal of the season at 17:49.

Adirondack once again returned their lead to two less than five minutes into the final frame when Jason Akeson scored the Phantoms second power-play goal of the night off assists from Ben Holmstrom and McGinn. Cowick knocked home his second goal of the night with less than a minute remaining, but the Phantoms answered with an empty-net tally to push the final score to 5-3 with only seconds remaining.

Friday, Jan. 17: Bridgeport 2, Binghamton 6

Shots: Bridgeport 32, Binghamton 35

PP: Bridgeport 1 for 4, Binghamton 2 for 8

Binghamton beat the visiting Bridgeport Sound Tigers 6-2 in their only visit to the Broome County Arena this season. Mike Hoffman added to his team-lead in points for the season chipping in two goals and an assist while linemate Stephane Da Costa assisted on four goals to lead the B-Sens to victory. Andrew Hammond played solid between the pipes turning aside 30 of the 32 shots faced for his tenth victory for the year.

Bridgeport struck first at 7:26 of the opening period on a power-play goal from Anders Lee. Just over seven minutes later Petersson notched his first of two goals on the evening off an assist from Fredrik Claesson. The teams remained tied 1-1 heading into the first intermission with Hammond stopping 12 of 13 shots faced while Bridgeport's Kenny Reiter turned aside nine of 10 shots.

Binghamton's power-play gave the Sens their first lead of the night 1:16 into the second when Hoffman powered home his 17th goal of the year off a great look from Da Costa. Petersson doubled the B-Sens lead at 10:30 of the frame on an even strength tally. Bridgeport cut the Sens lead to one with less than two minutes remaining when Mike Halmo put home his 13th goal of the year. However, Cole Schneider put Binghamton back up 4-2 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the period to give the hosts a two goal cushion heading into the final intermission.

The B-Sens power-play once again wasted little time in the final period when Matt Puempel put home his 13th marker on the year at 4:24 of the third. Hoffman pushed the score to 6-2 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to put the game out of reach from the visitors.

In addition to Hoffman and Da Costa's big game, Binghamton had three other skaters finish with multiple points on the night with Petersson scoring twice, along with Wideman and Claesson notching two helpers apiece.

Saturday, Jan. 18: Binghamton 6, Syracuse 3

Shots: Binghamton 29, Syracuse 38

PP: Binghamton 2 for 4, Syracuse 2 for 4

The B-Sens traveled to Syracuse Saturday and came home with a 6-3 victory. Binghamton's power-play went 2 for 4 on the evening while Andrew Hammond played strong between the pipes to keep the Senators in first place in the East Division.

Brett Connolly gave the hosts the early lead at 5:59 of the first period on a power play when he beat Hammond on a tough angle for his 10th goal on the year. Jim O'Brien equalized the scoreboard when he put home a short-handed rebound off his own shot making it 1-1. Less than three minutes later, Andre Petersson chipped home the puck off a wrist shot from Chris Wideman at 14:26 giving the Sens a 2-1 lead. Puempel put home his 14th goal of the season at 15:45 on the power play to give Binghamton a 3-1 lead. However, Connolly put home his second goal of the night with less than three minutes remaining in the first making the score 3-2 after 20 minutes of play.

The second frame was a goaltender battle as Cedrick Desjardins came into play in relief of Crunch starter Gudlevskis. Hammond turned aside all 14 Syracuse chances while Desjardins stopped all but Shane Prince's power-play strike at 15:28 of the second. Danny New ripped a rebound try to the front of the cage where Prince tipped the shot in for his eighth tally on the year. The teams headed into the final intermission with Binghamton holding a 4-2 lead.

Brett Connolly completed his hat-trick bid at 4:01 of the third off a feed from Vladislav Namestnikov making it 4-3. However, Corey Cowick put home his seventh goal of the year at 9:36 of the period off a feed from Fredrik Claesson. Petersson added an empty-netter with less than three minutes remaining to move the final score to 6-3 Binghamton.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau finished with three assists while Petersson ended the game with two goals scored. Brett Connolly notched three goals on the night while teammate Namestnikov finished with two helpers. Gudlevskis earned the loss for the Crunch allowing three goals on 11 shots faced. Hammond, playing in his third consecutive start, finished with 35 saves on 38 shots faced.

Record: 25-12-0-3 (53 points)

Standings: The B-Sens remain in first place in the East Division, one point ahead of second place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Norfolk holds third place with a 21-13-1-6 record and 49 points through 41 games played. Hershey has compiled 44 points with a 19-14-3-3 record, good for fourth place while Syracuse sits in last with a 17-15-2-4 record and 40 points through 38 games this year.

THIS WEEK...

Friday, January 24 vs. Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)-7:05p.m.

Binghamton hosts the Albany Devils this Friday for their third of six total meetings this season. Each team has taken a win from the prior two meetings, the most recent being Binghamton's 3-2 overtime victory at home December 21. Albany currently sits in second place in the Northeast Division with a 23-11-3-3 record through 40 games played.

Left winger Joe Whitney leads the Devils offensively with 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) through 40 games. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid has appeared between the pipes for Albany in 24 games compiling a 16-7-1 record and a 2.17 goals-against average.

Saturday, January 25 vs. Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)-7:05p.m.

The B-Sens welcome the Americans to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena this Saturday for the third time this season and the fifth of eight total meetings this season. Binghamton has owned the Americans through the first half of their season series, winning all four games and notching 20 total goals while allowing just nine.

Phil Varone leads all Rochester skaters with 33 points (8 goals, 25 assists) through 38 games this season while center Luke Adam leads the team with 15 goals scored. Goaltender Matt Hackett has played in 25 games for the Americans going 10-12-2 while compiling a 2.90 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Rochester sits in third place in the North Division with a 17-15-3-3 record.

Sunday, January 26 @ Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)-3:00p.m.

Binghamton finishes up the busy weekend with a trip to Albany for the back end of a home-and-home series. This will be the B-Sens first of three trips to Albany this season. The Sens are currently 3-1-0-0 on Sundays.

Promotions:

Friday night will be the first of two consecutive nights the Broome Sports Foundation will be at the game auctioning off great sports memorabilia. The Foundation will have numerous tables set up along the front concourse with items for fans to place bids on throughout the game. Bidding will end 10 minutes after the final horn of regulation.

Saturday night is Hall of Fame night as fan-favorite Denis Hamel will be inducted into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony. Fans planning on attending are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:00p.m. to ensure they do not miss the special ceremony honoring the Binghamton great.

Hamel, who played parts of six seasons with the B-Sens, leads the franchise in games played (438), goals scored (203), assists (189) and points (392). The first 3,000 fans through the gate will receive a FREE Commemorative Photo of Hamel which can be signed during the autograph session taking place on the concourse during the first intermission.

Saturday will also be the second night of auctions from the Broome Sports Foundation with new items available for fans in attendance to bid on. Bidding will once again end 10 minutes after the game ends.

New York Lottery will also be here on Saturday handing out buy-one-get-one coupons to the first 500 fans 18-years and older through the gates.

Fans also have the opportunity to put down deposits for 2014-2015 season ticket plans starting Saturday. A table will be set up along the front concourse with information explaining all the various plans offered. Those who put down a deposit will be automatically entered into a drawing for great autographed Binghamton Senators merchandise.

SENS SNIPPETS...

Forward Andre Petersson scored twice in both of Binghamton's victories this past Friday and Saturday. After missing eight games due to injury earlier in the year, Petersson has recorded 15 goals and 10 assists through 32 games this season.

Defenseman Fredrik Claesson has now recorded an assist in five straight games since January 10 versus Hershey. Claesson, who was scoreless through the first 10 games of the season, has tallied 21 points (2 goals, 19 assists) in 40 games this season. Claesson also holds the second best plus-minus rating in the league with a plus-27.



American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2014


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