Binghamton Senators 2nd Quarter Grades
By Jeff Ulmer
It’s already the midway point through the 2013-’14 B-Sens season as the 38th game has come and gone and now it’s time for the player’s evaluation based on performance on the ice for the second quarter of the season. The Senators have compiled a 23-12-0-3 record good for first place in the East Division and third in the Conference as the club went 9-7-0-3 in the streaky second quarter.
The Sens would start the quarter off winless in seven games only earning three points in three extra sessions. Then, rattle off seven wins in a row as the offense remains strong averaging 3.50 gpg as the power play still ranks in the top five in the league while suffering a 1 for 25 slump in the last four games.
1st Quarter Grades intact for a comparison as I try to keep it simple at the same time. In hindsight, I should have included player’s stats for each quarter as some fans follow this as well who are unable to watch B-Sens live, even though I dislike that option to form an opinion. Nonetheless, your comments are more than welcomed below or on twitter.
- #3 Fredrik Claesson B+/A-
Steady d-man and rarely makes a mistake costing the team. Shows offensive promise as his game continues to develop and is physical as well. A staple on the penalty kill and amongst the league leaders in the +/- category.
Could
Should have a future call up if the big club needs it and he’ll fit right in.
- #4 Mike Sdao C+/C+
Physical player that has cut down on his penalties, yet still leads the team in that category. Showing some offensive capabilities joining the occasional rush. Decent shot from the blue line that needs to line up better to the cage at times.
- #5 Mark Borowiecki I*/B+
The Captain is back this quarter as he leads by example and shows his true character both on and off the ice. Plays big with some devastating hits and likes to fight to the crowd’s delight. Has cut way down on penalties as he learns to be more disciplined. Solid addition to the penalty kill and is not afraid to join the offensive rush. A coach’s dream player and great leader.
- #6 Chris Wideman B/B+
Gritty, shifty and plays good man to man defense. Strong slapper from the blue line and is counted on for the first unit on the power play. Reads the ice well and has a mean streak when tested getting into two fights in his last two games. Putting up points to be one of the leaders in the league. Fun watching his confidence brew.
- #8 Daniel New I*/C+
Playing in every game since his call up and returns to the team he ended up playing for the majority of the year last season. Good, solid player teaming up on the first line of defense. Takes the body and moves his feet well. Not a big gunner but gets the job done and hustles.
- #9 Matt Puempel B+/B+
Continues to be an eye catcher with his quick shot release and passing abilities. Great team player always looking to step in for his line mates. Not afraid to drop the gloves and pours his heart onto the ice every game. Now found a home playing on the second line as he has been bounced around the line-up in the past quarter.
- #10 Buddy Robinson B-/C-
Has regressed and struggled sitting for a handful of games being a healthy scratch. Needs to be more of a grinder in the corners and work his body, throw some hits, be more assertive. Good potential but it’s up to him to turn it around.
- #15 Cole Schneider B/B+
Now getting ice time on the first line at the same time padding his point production. Has soft hands around the net and cashing in on the power play with the first unit. Still learning and adapting but really has come a long ways in a year and continues to grow in confidence with each game. A dark horse within the ‘prospects’.
- #16 Mark Stone B+/A-
He took his game to the next level this quarter coming off an injury and produced. Good vision and hands, smart player however missing the wide open net on a few occasions getting too anxious with the puck. Just recently got “the call” and is the missing link on this club’s first line as it is starting to struggle without him.
- #18 Shane Prince A-/B-
Seeing playing time on the power play’s second unit. Was on the second line until recently demoted to the third. Production slightly off from the first quarter but missed a hand full of games due to flu/healthy scratch. Effort is there, but hasn’t stood out as much in the second quarter.
- #19 Jim O’Brien D+/B-
Has finally discovered his game and adjusted to the minors playing with new energy on the second line and starting to produce and be effective on the pk. Now sports an A on his jersey and deserving so to help this club win some games with his veteran presence on the ice. He’s likely here for the season and has found a home living comfortably with his NHL salary.
- #20 Andre Petersson B/B
Playing well on the second line and putting up points. Could use a little more back checking but offense is his desire being the natural goal scorer that he is. Going through a stretch where there is no health related issues handicapping his game and making the most of it.
- #22 David Dziurzynski C/C+
Not a numbers man but continues to play like he is supposed to, grinding it out in the corners, throwing some solid hits and dropping the gloves when needed. Good hustler and hard worker, just with stone hands when it comes to shooting. I’d like to give the big guy a better grade but his game is what it is.
- #23 Corey Cowick C+/C
He’s had some hard luck finding the back of the twine lately, however had a three-point game last night with two goals. Very reliable penalty killer as his physical game is not of concern showing the occasional big hit, or fight. Character guy in the locker room and team leader.
- #24 Stephane Da Costa A/A-
Continues to rank in the points on the first line but recently has gone quiet being pointless in his last five games. Reliable player on the power play’s first unit and effective faceoff man. Playmaker extraordinaire continues from the first quarter into the second as the way he rolls the team goes, just not lately.
- #26 Ben Blood C+/C-
Still needs experience and it will come. Has held his share of healthy scratches rotating with another veteran D-man. It’s going to be a haul for the rookie but if he’s committed it’ll fall into place at some point. Might need a refresher in the ECHL.
- #27 Mike Hoffman A+/A+
Hoff recently has been awarded a spot on the AHL All-Star Classic line up. Continues to dominate play and quarterbacking the power play on the first and sometimes the second units. Hope he’s not packaged within a trade option anytime soon benefiting the big club.
- #29 Tyler Eckford C-/C
Has rotated in and out of the line up as a healthy scratch in the second quarter as the veteran blue liner fills in his time getting minutes in.
- #30 Andrew Hammond B+/C+
Has struggled lately and looks to have lost some confidence. A lot has fallen on the rookie’s shoulders early on but can pull through it improving his mental approach, which needs to be tougher. Plus the D has to be stronger in front of him if he’s ever going to get a chance to succeed. Was in net for five of those seven games on that winless streak.
- #36 Wacey Hamilton C+/C+
Crafty faceoff man centering the third line. Intensity is not a problem as he won’t put up much production however he’s still valuable to the club centering the fourth line and winning faceoffs.
- #37 Darren Kramer C/I*
Not much to report on the winger as he has only played in seven games in the second quarter with him mostly been sidelined with a hand injury, only recently returning to the line up. Often the odd man out as a healthy scratch as well.
- #52 Nathan Lawson A/A-
Injury bug may have bitten the veteran netminder as he currently is out with a slight muscle/groin pull. When he’s on top of his game mentally, he’s hard to beat. Played a strong second quarter but he still has tendency to be careless with the puck and around the cage. Played in only nine games while winning six of them.
- #57 Derek Grant I*/B-
The club’s shorthanded specialist is back after playing up top in the first quarter. Centering the third line and starting to get his game going as he recently scored a beauty on a shorthanded breakaway. Provides leadership on and off the ice. Had a big club hangover when demoted that hopefully continues to wear off.
#7 Codi Ceci and #44 Jean-Gabriel Pageau continue to be on re-call with Ottawa with JGP just getting sent down. #45 Ludwig Karlsson doesn’t qualify only playing parts in six games in this second quarter.
* Incomplete