Binghamton Senators Swimming Upstream Without A Paddle

One step forward, two steps back as hockey begins after the break.

It’s been that type of season for the Binghamton Senators as evident in Saturday’s overtime loss in Hershey by way of Fredrik Claesson’s stick, as the puck caromed off of it after a Peter Mannino save for the winning goal in overtime. Seems to be an all too familiar common ground as of late.

At just a little past the halfway mark, making the playoffs is going to be a reach to say the least as the way things are churning out for the Senators. In making the post season in each of the last two, it abruptly ended with similar results thanks to our friends that play in the Northeastern section of Pennsylvania, the Penguins.

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The team is 10 points out of the final playoff spot sitting in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 17-19-4-1. Last season at this time, the Senators were 26-13-0-3 and a respectable 15-5-0-3 home record. In 2012-’13, 26-9-1-3 and at home, 15-3-1-1. This season not so much success at 9-6-3-1 on home ice. They have gone from one of the best teams in the league the last two seasons to a point now where there’s a 7.7% chance of making the post season accordingly to SportsClubsStats.com.

It’s a difficult comparison with many different component’s in place, as players interchange quite rapidly in this league as there are currently 11 players that are holdovers from the 2012-’13 season and still playing in Binghamton. That also can be claimed for the coaching staff as well with the only change in Tim Marks for Matty Meacham as the new video coach.

~DEFENSE

I miss Mark Borowiecki. And so does this team in perhaps the missing paddle. The style of play in this league can be a Helter-Skelter type atmosphere at times, which he perfected with his intensity and his on ice ferocious attitude which led to him being one of the most feared players in the AHL. Fans loved it as he set the tone even during warm-ups. That’s a big hole that is now missing.

Oh Ty Wishart. Why did you abandon us so early as you certainly would be manning the blue line for the Senators by now with a possible phone call away from Ottawa. Despite his absence, there’s just way too many defensive turnovers resulting in an occasional goal here and there. The D is quite shallow and scary thin with little depth, as the team has currently signed two PTO’s playing in wake of some injuries.

~GOALTENDING

While goaltender Scott Greenham takes his turn with Chris Driedger down in Evansville, he hasn’t had the same results for Indiana as he did leaving behind his three game winning streak for Binghamton, as he’s 1-4-1 3.49 GAA 0.907 SV% for the IceMen. Albeit they are a last place in their division. More importantly, how many re-direct goals have we seen put in past Andrew Hammond? A lot. He can’t catch a break, and it’s killing his confidence.

With new veteran Mannino in having only one win in five tries to brag about, he’s been pretty solid and still possesses a quick glove with good reflexes for a 31-year-old, as I would like to see him back next season.

~OFFENSE

Gone are four very big offensive weapon’s with the first three consisting of Mike Hoffman, Stephane DaCosta and Mark Stone as you can’t replace that kind of talent overnight with the exception of possibly veteran Carter Camper. Second year pro Matt Puempel doesn’t have a dance partner at this season’s ball contest and his production has suffered as a result with Camper feeding the fishing lure to Shane Prince on the first line.

This team isn’t built for the run and gun offense like it has showcased during the last two years. The goals netted are respectable on one end, but atrocious on the other in giving up the most in the AHL on average. Same can be said about the shots per game. It’s no wonder our goaltending crisis is the way it is.

~IN SUMMARY

A few bright points to mention. The play of rookie Max McCormick. His fellow rookie team-mate Ryan Dzingel, who was a handful of healthy scratches as he falls short in finishing his plays, but shows promise. The gutsy effort put up by Darren Kramer in every shift. The always reliable Claesson. The offensive juggernaut on D has emerged again this season from Chris Wideman, as he now has an All-Star labeled to his profile. Same can be said about Prince, in having quite an All-Star season himself, including his hat trick at the recent event up in Utica.

Wideman gets the only call-up other than the inevitable Jean-Gabriel Pageau as the fourth missing piece to the puzzle for the offense. Prince is in his final year of his contract but has put out his best season in a Binghamton jersey as he claims he’s happy to be part of the organization and loves playing for the fans here in a recent interview from an out-of-town source. But will he be back?

Forward’s Derek Grant and David Dziurzynski are the only two left from the championship team of 2010-’11. Man time flies as that wonderful playoff run will always be one for the ages. Is there still enough of it to catch the front-runners for the playoffs? Sure. Will it happen? Let’s just say it’s going to be an uphill battle from here on out that hasn’t been on all too familiar grounds in recent years.

Tough one to swallow if we miss out folks.

*Cover Pic & Insert Courtesy of SenShot’s Photographer Alicia Strauch

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