Binghamton Senators @ Syracuse Crunch: Game Day Preview

The Binghamton Senators head up north I81 an hour away to take on their rival’s the Syracuse Crunch for the first of eight meetings between the two clubs. The Sens are fresh off their first win of the season hope to make it two in a row as the club continues to come together. Meanwhile, the Crunch won their first game in three tries beating Springfield by the same score on Friday night.

(1-0-1, 3 pts) 3rd in the East Division

@

(1-1-1, 3 pts) Tied for 2nd in the Atlantic Division

7:05 PM

Oncenter War Memorial Arena

RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM, AHL Live

MATCHUP HISTORY

Last season saw the Senators own the Crunch in winning eight out of ten games, and continued into the preseason being victorious in two contests played over in France.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jonathan Drouin, SYR – 19 year old rookie forward is on a two-week conditioning stint as he recovers from a thumb injury with the Crunch. He was the #1 pick for the Tampa Bay Lightening in 2013 and third in the draft and is overall the top prospect selected by the NHL.com.

Chris Wideman, BNG – Wideman had an assist with a +2 after the win against the Portland Pirates on Friday. Chris was active on the power play and finished the game with four shots on goal.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1.  Syracuse Moves Out Of East – The East Division realignment has the Crunch relocated to the Northeast Division to make room for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. While the move makes sense on paper, there’s still an ongoing rivalry between the two teams as they return to an eight game format after playing each other ten times in 2013-’14.

2.  Winning Ways at the War Memorial – The Sens are 7-2 over the last two seasons on the road in Syracuse as many fans make the trip and invade the Oncenter to root on the Senators.

3.  Andrew Hammond‘s Solid Start? – His total stats after two games reads a 2.38 GAA and 0.938 SV% saving 76 out of 81 goals in 125:57 minutes ranking him 22nd among netminder’s in the AHL. He seems to gain some confidence, but still gives up the soft goal here and there. As compared to this point last season in his professional career, Hammond is miles ahead in his progress but still lacks that Ray Emery talent in comparison that Razor flashed for Binghamton.

B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME

*Cover Photo Art Courtesy of Matt Trayling.