Utica Comets Host Binghamton Senators II: Game Preview

The Binghamton Senators will be playing against one of the hottest goalies in the Western Hemisphere in Jacob Markstrom as he will be gunning for the history books for the most consecutive shutout minutes played in the AHL while backstopping the upstart Utica Comets. Meanwhile, the Sens look to put an end to their three game losing streak with two games on tap this weekend.

(2-4-2, 6 pts) 4th in the East Division

@

(6-1-1, 13 pts) 1st in North Division

7:00 PM

Utica Memorial Auditorium

RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live

MATCHUP HISTORY

Wednesday night’s 3-2 win for the Comets was the first of six games scheduled this season between the two teams.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jacob Markstrom, UTI – The recent CCM/AHL Player of the Week, goaltender Markstrom is undefeated (4-0-0, 0.25 GAA and a 0.991 SA%) and closing in with 36:04 minutes shy on former Senator Barry Brust‘s AHL record of 268:17 shutout minutes and could break the record tonight after under just two periods of play.

Derek Grant, BNG – The 24-year-old, fourth year pro all with the B-Sens, has registered 3 goals and 2 assists, +3 rating in 8 games, while excelling on the penalty kill. He’s tied for second on the team with five points as his season is off to a strong start being one of the more consistent players on the club thus far.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1.  Sens Have Been Involved in One Goal Decisions – Seven out of eight games have been decided by one goal, which appears on paper to be a solid competitive club, but not the case in many circumstances. With the Hershey Bears residing in 1st place in the East with four points up on Binghamton, wins are needed now before they lose pace in the division.

2.  Desperate Hockey Anyone?– The last game the Senators came out on top was in St. John’s in overtime. Perhaps a bus trip is needed with the  stress placed on not allowing Markstrom to earn the record tonight might be the right mix for a win. The last thing this club wants is the team played against for the record. Light the lamp early and often then back it up.

3.  Player Changes Need to be Made – Move struggling veteran Carter Camper (1g, 0a, 8gms) in favor of Ryan Dzingel (2g, 0a, 7gms) on the second line. Matt Puempel (1g, 3a, 8gms) and Cole Schneider (3g, 1a, 7gms) are doing their own thing but rookie Dzingel might bring an upgrade. Bring up Ty Wishart and Chris Driedger from Evansville and give them a shot. Driedger is rotting away in Indiana so far with Cal Heeter getting both starts for the IceMen as he’ll at least get better practices in the AHL.

B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME

*Cover Art Courtesy of Matt Trayling