Binghamton Senators 2nd Quarter Grades: Defense And Goaltending
By Jeff Ulmer
Lots of issues to address as a lively second quarter took place for the Binghamton Senators starting with goaltending. Popular netminder Scott Greenham was sent packing to Evansville, Indiana to make room for newly signed veteran Peter Mannino for starters, as second year pro Andrew Hammond has had his struggles in net.
Meanwhile the defense has been banged up a bit with injuries to Alex Grant and Mike Sdao, which left some vacancies to fill as Danny New stepped in and 27-year-old Guillaume Lépine was brought up from Evansville.
The defense as a whole, have given up a 3.31 GPG (Goals per game average) placing them next to last in the AHL, while allowing 34.21 SOG average per game ranking them at the bottom.
This is a second part in a two-part review of the B-Sens 2nd quarter grades with the first featuring the offense here posted this past Monday.
Defense. Binghamton Senators. #3 FREDRIK CLAESSON. A-. Still playing consistently as he picked up his game on the physical side of things with a recent outing taking out two players on one check. Not much more to report different from the first quarter as he is easily the best defensive player on the team.
D+. Been out injured and hasn’t skated while suffering a lower body injury. Has times of carelessness with the puck but makes up for it as the club’s tough guy. Careless penalties remain troublesome as expected from big Mike.. Defense. Binghamton Senators. #4 MIKE SDAO
A-. Still the go to guy on the offensive side of things as he has nearly reached the pinnacle of his minor league experience alike <strong><a href=. Defense. Binghamton Senators. #6 CHRIS WIDEMAN
Defense. Binghamton Senators. #8 DANNY NEW. C+. Has stepped up in filling the role as back-up and has done an adequate job in response. Doesn’t really stand out but you can’t help but notice him on the ice with his aggressive play with the puck. Showed some fighting skills over the past weekend.
Defense. Binghamton Senators. #14 PATRICK MULLEN. C-. Great on the power play with some smooth puck handling skills and on the dime passes in serving as the set-up guy on one timer’s for the D. Just lacks in the defensive mode with some costly turnovers and poor outlet passes which are scary at times.
C+. Been sidelined for a few weeks as he might have suffered a concussion with that hit across bridge of his nose. He shed some light with his explosive slap-shots that otherwise diffused in what has been a disappointing quarter.. Defense. Binghamton Senators. #2O ALEX GRANT
Defense. Binghamton Senators. #72 AARON JOHNSON. B-. Perhaps a better showing in this quarter as Johnson has come around and found his style while minimizing mistakes. Looks good on the power play as he’s used often showing signs that he’s still a valuable asset. Continues to be the team leader in fulfilling his role as Captain.
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D. Let’s face it, Hammond struggled this quarter, and there’s not a chance it can be sugar-coated in any way, shape, or form. That Allentown performance was something to forget but will be forever be linked to him, regardless if his team let him down or not. Seems to be a victim of a somewhat porous defense in every outing.. Goaltender. Binghamton Senators. #30 ANDREW HAMMOND
Binghamton Senators. #31 PETER MANNINO. C. Been in four games since his signing winning his first one recently. Has good, tight coverage of the net without losing his positioning. As he gets more familiar with his role, could be a strong force coming up, especially in the push for the playoffs.. Goaltender
#35 SCOTT GREENHAM. B+. While he was here playing in the second quarter his work was commendable in winning three straight and giving the club some breathing room. Unfortunately, it ended up a numbers game and his time was up. On the positive side, he has proven to be a reliable goaltender in the clutch.. Goaltender. Binghamton Senators
*Cover Pic Courtesy of SenShot’s Photographer Alicia Strauch