Binghamton Senators End Season On A High Note 4-2 Win Over Norfolk

Binghamton Senators win their second in two nights on team awards night and beat the Norfolk Admirals 4-2 to close out the regular season. Both clubs sat out many regulars in resting them for the upcoming playoffs as the game was noticeably less intense than the previous night with a more relax feel to it. Starter Scott Greenham gets credit with the win as he made 16 saves while splitting time with rookie Chris Driedger, who made his pro debut, stopping 20 shots before letting in both Norfolk goals. Next up for the Senators is the post season against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins which begins next weekend on home ice.

Cody Ceci lines up with Max Friberg during the faceoff in the Senators last game of the regular season. Binghamton goes on and wins by a score of 4-2. Photo courtesy of Alicia Strauch.

GAME RE-CAP

Binghamton scores first in the opening period when Shane Prince turnaround shot from the blue line gets tipped in by Buddy Robinson giving the Sens an early 1-0 lead. 31 seconds later Matt Puempel scores his 30th of the season knocking in the rebound into a half empty net on a wrist shot by Cody Ceci upping the lead to two. At the 10:10 mark Ryan Dzingel shoots high on a snap shot on Igor Bobkov and in with an assist given to Prince as he fed a quick outlet pass from behind the net to Ryan and putting the Sens up 3-0. Radoslav Illo hits the iron on the following play as Greenham has looked good.

Into the second as Puempel’s smooth skating has him breaking towards the net only being denied by Bobkov. Sens go on the power play as Jaycob Megna trips up Dzingel sending the rookie into the back of the goal cage. Good pressure by Binghamton as they have played well so far tonight. Greenham pulled and insert Driedger as he starts his pro career with a glove save. Fredrik Claesson with a slapper through traffic nearly finds the back of the net but Bobkov blocks the puck.

In the third period Prince gets called on back to back penalties and pays for it as ex-Senator Andre Petersson scores his 23rd wristing home from a nearly impossible angle through Driedger and into the net making it a 3-1 contest. Bobkov clutch save on Vincent Dunn‘s one timer from the top of the circle. Impressive shot from the rookie making his pro debut. Dreidger flashes the leather from a slap shot by Steven Whitney along the side boards and makes a kick save on Jesse Blacker.

Norfolk would score again tightening up the game from the stick of Kevin Gagne with 1:59 left in the third as he got his slap shot hitting a Senator stick redirecting the puck in by Driedger making it 3-2. Admirals pull Bobkov for the extra attacker to try to tie up the game but Robinson and David Dziurzynski skate the puck down towards the empty net when Petersson tosses his stick at the puck which automatically calls for a penalty shot. Since the net is empty, it’s a goal credited to Robinson for his second of the evening and the Senators win 4-2.

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS

• After last night’s thrilling, emotional win this one was a rather uneventful one as Norfolk dressed 11 ATO’s in their line-up. Yes 11! Sens sat seven players as well so lots of new faces getting good exposure leading up to next season for some.
• Dreidger a big fellow in stature, stood out making some decent saves in his pro debut. Good impression left in my mind as he has quick reflexes and holds his position well.
• Good to see the return of Stephane Da Costa in his first game back since reconstructive nose surgery as he gets a primer in heading for the playoffs.
• Games with the Pens in the best of five are as follows;  Home on Friday, 25th and Saturday, 26th. Away on Wednesday the 30th and if necessary Friday May 2nd, if necessary Home on Monday the 5th.
• Player Awards–Top Defenseman Claesson, Defensive Forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Three Stars of the Game Mike Hoffman, Man of the Year Corey Cowick, 7th Player Andrew Hammond, Rookie of the Year Puempel, Team MVP Da Costa.

3 STARS OF THE GAME

• #1 Dzingel (1g 1a)
• #2 Prince (2a)
• #3 Robinson (2g)

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME

Playoffs begin. Game I.

Friday night host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

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Cover photo/inserts courtesy of Alicia Strauch.