Prince’s Hat Trick Helps Greenham Earn His First Pro Win For The B-Sens

A pair of firsts as Scott Greenham made 33 saves and recorded his first professional win in six tries while Shane Prince netted his first natural hat trick of his young pro career as the Senators defeated the hapless Albany Devils by a score of 6-3. Binghamton wins their home and home series with Albany and takes two out of three games this weekend to remain in first place in the East, while the Devils lost all three of their contests. Keith Kinkaid was on the unfortunate end of the loss letting in three goals on as many shots in the first period before getting chased out of the game.

GAME RECAP

A sparse crowd in Albany welcomes the Senators and Devils today as Shane Prince gets the good guys in black on the board first with his 11th of the season for the early 1-0 lead. Shane’s wrister seemed to hit Raman Hrabarenka in front and in by Kinkaid. Then Prince scores his second beating Kinkaid easily from the circle by a pass from Andre Pertersson on a 2-1 break. Nice effort by Andre as he was tripped in center ice area but recovered from his knees to complete the play.

Albany responds and make it a one goal game when Mike Hoeffel shoots from the top of the slot beating Scott Greenham and a tussle breaks out between Mark Borowiecki and Cam Janssen which mounts to nothing. Greeny had little chance as player movements were abundant in front of the crease. Devils Adam Larsson makes a terrible clearing out pass from behind the net as Jim O’Brien intercepts and finds Prince in front and shoots in on Kinkaid and scores to complete his hat trick making it a 3-1 contest. Kinkaid gets the yank as he lets in three goals on three shots.

Scott Wedgewood gets the call in relief and gives his team some energy and it results in a goal by Larsson from the left circle beating Greenham glove side. 3-2 game as Albany is playing the better game with the Sens being the ones cashing in on their slim opportunities.

Dan Kelly gets the goal to start the second period with his wrist shot sliding under Greenham’s pads and ties up the game at three. Soon after, Mattias Tedenby is in the sin bin for the Devil’s bench minor for too many men on the ice, and it’s a Sens power play for the first time today. Seconds later, Kelly gets the tripping call and it’s now a two-man advantage. Binghamton makes quick work and gets the go ahead goal by Matt Puempel, his 16th as he pops in the rebound by a Mike Hoffman shot from the blue line for the power play tally to make it a 4-3 game. Lots of up and down action but a better effort for the Senators in the second.

Into the third as Wedgewood flashes the leather on shots by Puempel in front of the crease and Hoffman’s shot from the top of the circle. Greenham equals the equation by stopping  Artem Demkov from the side boards. Senators look to take over the game when OB’s shot pings into the net off of Wedgewood’s skate to regain the two goal lead.

Wedgewood gets pulled with two minutes remaining in the period and Corey Cowick finds Puempel in front of the empty net to harmlessly tap in for Matt’s second of the game making it a 6-3 game. Senators defense played a solid third period to help out Greeny earn his first pro win as both teams come off a three games in two and a half day schedule.

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS

• Greenham played decent for his AHL season debut but needs to work on his rebounds. He was fortunate the D was there to help clear the lanes as he gave up some juicy ones.
• 18, 19 and 20 dominated play today combining for eight points in help getting the offense back on track after Saturday night’s hiccup. Peterson with three assists, Prince with three goals and OB with a goal and an assist.
• Shots were 36-19 Devils as Sens only managed four in the first but cashed in on three of them. Maybe a little road fatigue set in as they had to dig deep to find their legs as the game progressed. Again, defense much better effort tonight.
• Last four games has Puempel (4g 1a), Prince (6g), Petersson (2g 5a) and Cowick (2g 2a) to help lead the Senators winning three of those last four.

3 STARS OF THE GAME

• #1 Prince (3g)
• #2 O’Brien (1g 1a)
• #3 Larsson (1g 1a)

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HIGHLIGHTS

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