Binghamton Senators vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms: Game Day Preview

The Binghamton Senators face two critical East Division clashes this weekend with the first game ever against the old Adirondack team the Lehigh Valley Phantoms tonight, then travel to Scranton on Sunday for an late afternoon meeting with the Pens.

(2-2-1, 5 pts) 4th in the East Division

VS.

(3-1-0, 6 pts) Tied for 1st in the East Division

7:05 PM

Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena

RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live

MATCHUP HISTORY

First ever meeting between the two clubs. As far as the old Adirondack team, Senators lost four out of six games last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Scott Laughton, LHV – The former first round draft pick in 2012 (20th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers is playing his first full year in the pros and leads the club with four goals in four games. Known to be a solid two way player that reads the ice well and likes to take the body.

Chris Wideman, BNG – The club’s top offensive leader with 2g and 3a in 5 games with a +4 and 21 shots, also team best. The third year pro has found a way to be one of the best offensive defenseman in the league and is off to a fast start so far this season including the game winner in OT against St. John’s.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1.  Defense Allows League High SOG – Despite the overall defensive improvement in last Wednesday’s win, they still allowed 40 shots which continues to lead the league giving up an average of 40.40 shots over the five games played. Hopefully the trend takes a turn as new addition’s get accustomed to one another.

2.  Advantage Binghamton? – The Phantoms are in the middle of a three-in-three game weekend having defeated the Hershey Bears on Friday, travel for tonight’s meeting with the Sens, then back down to Hershey on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Senators are fresh off their midweek contests rested coming off a big win and should be ready to go.

3.  Hammond’s Early Burnout Part II – His stats exploded after this past week as it now reads 17 GA, 3.47 GAA, 0.912 SA% and a league high 177 saves, which is ridiculous. I can only blame Hammond so much with his occasional softie’s and inconsistencies, but if this continues he’s going to need some relief at some point, and with Chris Driedger having not seen any action for Evansville, Scotty Greenham might be summoned to play this weekend.

B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME

*Cover Photo Pic Courtesy of Alicia Strauch.