Binghamton Senators Weekly

Published on December 8, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Binghamton Senators News Release


LAST WEEK: After dropping both games last weekend, the Sens enter the week in fourth place in the East Division (11-9-2-2, 26 points) placing Binghamton four points behind Philadelphia and just three points ahead of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

FRIDAY, DEC 5th, @ HAMILTON (2-4 L): In a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference final, the Sens looked poised to grab it's first ever win at Copps Coliseum, leading 2-0 heading into the final period on goals from ALEXANDRE GIROUX (4th) and CHRIS KELLY (5th). But Binghamton matched a dubious franchise record in surrendering four, third period goals as the Bulldogs continued their home mastery over the Senators (3-0 regular season, 3-0 post-season) in a 4-2 win. BENOIT GRATTON scored twice on the power play and set up the other two Hamilton scores by JOZEF BALEJ to register a four-point night to spark the comeback. Hamilton outshot Binghamton 36-30 with BILLY THOMPSON making 32 saves and ERIC FICHAUD stopping 28 shots. The Sens were held scoreless on the power play for the fourth straight game (0x2) while the penalty kill was victimized on three of seven shorthanded situations. SATURDAY, DEC. 6th, vs. WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON (1-4 L): The Sens dropped their second straight contest and have now won just once in their last six outings. The fifth sellout of the year (4,717) on Dusters Throwback Night saw the Penguins grab a 1-0 lead after one period on the first of two goals on the night by MICHEL OUELLET. OUELLET put home a rebound on the power play at the 16:16 of the opening period. SHANE ENDICOTT slipped the eventual game-winner underneath RAY EMERY (24 saves in 57:05) at 8:54 of the second period. CHRIS KELLY extended his point streak to four games when he put the Sens on the board with a drive from the high slot just 2:03 into the final period for his sixth of the year and his third in the last four games. OUELLET's second of the night padded the Penguins' lead at 5:50 of the third before COLBY ARMSTRONG's strike closed out the scoring at 9:18. The contest featured a team record 76 PIM by the Senators, including Brian McGrattan's record-tying total of 27 (minor, major, misc, game misconduct) at 17:05 of the final period. ANDY CHIODO (20 saves in 57:05) and EMERY hooked up for center ice fisticuffs, accounting for 34 of the game's 132 total PIM. Binghamton's power play floundered once again, going 0x8, and is now 4x64 in its last ten games. The Penguins went 2x8 on the power play.

COMING UP: The Senators tackle three games against two North Division opponents this week beginning at home Wednesday versus Manitoba before heading to St. John's a for a pair of games with the Maple Leafs Friday and Saturday.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10th, vs. MANITOBA, 7:05 p.m.: The Sens welcome the Moose to the Arena for the first time ever on Press & Sun Bulletin Score-4 Fun Pack Night. Binghamton took three of four points in Winnipeg earlier this season with a 3-1 win October 26th and a 2-2 draw October 28th. SERGE PAYER picked up a goal in each game while JOSH LANGFELD set up a score in both contests to lead the Sens. RAY EMERY was in goal both nights, stopping 22 shots in the win and season-high 38, including the potential game-winner as the final horn sounded. RYAN READY lead the Moose in the two-game set with a goal and an assist. ALEX AULD (21 saves in the loss) and TYLER MOSS (17 saves in the tie) split the series in goal for Manitoba. The Moose makes one more trip into Binghamton on Wednesday, March 24th (7:05), to complete the four-game season series.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12th, and SATURDAY, DEC. 13th, @ ST. JOHN'S, 6:05 p.m.: The Sens and the Maple Leafs close out their four-game season set with a pair of games from Mile One Stadium in Newfoundland. St. John's took both meetings here in early November while south of the border on a five-game road trip. HAROLD DRUKEN scored a pair of goals, including the overtime game-winner at 3:44, to lead the Leafs to a 4-3 win at the Arena November 1st. On November 8th, the Leafs finished off their road trip by again trimming the Sens by the same 4-3 count. DRUKEN posted another two-point night (1+1) while CLARKE WILM scored twice in the victory. WILM's second of the night at 6:01 of the third period was followed :56 later by the eventual game-winner put home by BRAD LEEB. JAMIE HODSON picked both wins in goal with 31 saves each night. ANDY HEDLUND notched a goal in each game to lead the Sens.

SENS SNIPPETS: With a goal in Saturday's loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, CHRIS KELLY matched a career-high with a point in his fourth straight game (3+1=4) and now has goals in two straight contests...Rookie BROOKS LAICH is out indefinitely with mononucleosis...Winger TONY TUZZOLINO was released from his 25-game professional tryout and will continue his career in Italy...Friday night's loss in Hamilton marked the sixth time Binghamton has failed to win in Copps Coliseum while the Sens hold the upper hand at the Arena at 3-1-1, both marks include last year's Eastern Conference final...After scoring 11 goals in his first 16 games, DENIS HAMEL has failed to find the net in his last eight games...The Sens played before their fifth sellout crowd of the season in the club's 14th home game Saturday on Dusters Throwback Night...It took the Sens until February 16th of last season (home game # 29) to record the fifth of nine regular season sellouts last year...Binghamton's attendance is up 405 fans compared to the same juncture last season (4,356 compared to 3,951 through 14 home dates.

B-SENS ON THE AIR: All Binghamton Senators contests are broadcast live on Clear Channel radio's 680-WINR with the M&T Bank Countdown to Face-Off preceding each broadcast 20 minutes prior to the scheduled face-off time. Fans can also access the broadcasts on-line at www.binghamtonsenators.com or at www.sportsjuice.com. B-Sens webcasts are presented by Integrated Computer Solutions.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2003


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