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Checkmate: O'Brien's Hat Trick Lifts B-Sens Past Charlotte

February 18, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Binghamton Senators News Release


BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -The Binghamton Senators welcomed the Charlotte Checkers to town looking to extend their win streak to a season-high five games, despite having six players currently on recall to the Ottawa Senators. Nevertheless, the B-Sens had no trouble putting points on the board, netting six goals in the contest in route to a 6-2 victory that was highlighted by several noteworthy moments. On the offensive end, Jim O'Brien recorded a hat trick to lead the scoring surge, while Barry Brust set a franchise record with his eighth straight victory in net.

While Brust manned the pipes effectively all night, he also got the B-Sens started offensively, turning a save into a Binghamton goal just 26 seconds into the opening period. After denying the Checkers first shot of the night, Brust knocked the puck out to Kaspars Daugavins who tapped it wide to Jim O'Brien. O' Brien shook off Checkers coverage at the Binghamton blue line to race in on Justin Pogge on a break, scoring his 14th goal of the season with a quick backhand.

The Checkers evened the score at 7:29 as Brett Sutter beat Brust for his eighth of the season thanks to a nice setup by Jacob Micflikier. Working behind the Binghamton net, Micflikier sent a pass to Sutter in the right circle where the center was waiting to hammer home the puck and erase the Binghamton lead.

The B-Sens regained their lead just past the midway point of the period as playmaker Corey Locke sent a perfectly placed centering feed across the Charlotte crease to captain Ryan Keller who buried his 19th of the season with a one-timer to put the B-Sens back up, 2-1.

Binghamton continued their scoring prowess in the second, notching three more goals to bolster their lead to 5-1 by the period's end. Corey Locke struck first with an improbable goal taken horizontally from the right side of the Checkers' net that managed to trickle past Pogge just over four minutes into the second. With 3:21 left to play in the period, O'Brien recorded his second goal of the night with a hard slap shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced in.

Moments later O'Brien would ride the momentum to his third score of the contest, capitalizing on a power play opportunity that mirrored his breakaway goal from the first to earn the hat trick and add to the commanding lead. Daugavins was once again awarded the assist on the play giving him three for the game.

Eric Gryba chipped in his first goal of the season in the final period to cap the scoring for the B-Sens, while Micflikier added a late score of his own for Charlotte, though it was not enough to help the Checkers overcome the vast deficit. Binghamton rolled on for their 29th win of the season by the final score of 6-2, increasing the win streak to five games.

The B-Sens return to action tomorrow as they host the Albany Devils. Tickets are $17.75 for side seating, $16.75 for end seating. Fans can purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or in person at the Binghamton Senators' executive office or the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena box office.

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