Norfolk Admirals Win 2-1 In OT Over Binghamton Senators

Norfolk Admirals’ rookie defenseman Andrew O’Brien saw an opportunity and went for it unloading a hard slapper that eluded starting goaltender Scott Greenham as the Admirals defeated the Binghamton Senators 2-1 in OT completing the weekend sweep. The Senators have now lost their last 10/12 as they not only sit last in their division, they are the new tenants occupying the basement of the Eastern Conference 12 points out of a playoff berth.

GAME RECAP

Greenham makes one of his first saves of the night stopping Friday night’s hero forward Emerson Etem‘s point-blank shot as the opening period begins. Soon after Senators defenseman Nick Tuzzolino sends Dany Heatley awkwardly into the boards behind the net drawing the penalty whistle, sending Norfolk to their first power play of the game.

The Senators end up with a shorthanded rush though scoring, as David Dziurzynski dishes off to Derek Grant as he shifts to his backhand sliding the puck under goaltender John Gibson for the 1-0 lead. Gibson with a leg save on Shane Prince while Greenham stick saves a Chris Wagner wrister on the other end. Much better effort in the first by the Senators compared to Friday night as they end up with a 9-4 shot advantage.

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At the start of the second Binghamton has a brief power play left over from the end of the first, but nothing to show for it. Sens defenseman Guillaume Lepine swings his leg out knocking Antoine Laganiere to the ice, and John Hurtz rushes after Lepine as the two exchange punches. Hurtz ends up with instigator penalty sending Binghamton to another power play, but Gibson is strong making several key saves.

Off a faceoff win by William Karlsson over Ryan Dzingel, Etem picks up the puck left behind and rips it past Greenham low, glove side for an even strength goal to tie up the game. Senators end up being lured into Norfolk’s slow play as they had less energy than in the first.

Dzingel with a good scoring opportunity but is denied by a quick Gibson glove as the third is underway. Cole Schneider’s quick deke has Gibson fooled luring him out of position but is hauled down by Norfolk’s Louis Leblanc sending the Senators to their fourth power play of the evening. Binghamton with quality chances and puck movement but Gibson throws up a brick wall again as the two clubs head to overtime.

In the extra session with the teams battling for the bonus point, Norfolk prevails with O’Brien’s slapper at the 5:01 mark inside the circle beating Greenham far side for the 2-1 win and the weekend sweep. Shots for the game end up 31-27 Norfolk.

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS

The scary part of all of this? This team, for the most part, is healthy as they have been fortunate with very little call-ups or injuries this season. Defense might be banged up some with a couple of PTO’s in the line-up, but the roster has been pretty set otherwise compared to some years.
Interesting move sending Dzingel on the point with Alex Grant on Binghamton’s power play. Dzingel did well moving the puck and creating several good scoring chances.
Alex Guptill took exception for Joseph Cramarossa’s meddling of Fredrik Claesson along the wall into his own fists in a third period tilt, with both landing punches. Surprising in that tight of game as he didn’t receive an instigator call which the ref totally missed.
Colin Greening looked better with more fluid skating as he shakes off the rust. Had some chances on the offense but missed the net often.
Big crowd and great atmosphere that comes with it as always but not much to cheer about in this one as the season is slowly slipping away.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT CARD

In his first game back after getting sent down to Evansville, Greenham played well in a tight defensive contest stopping 29 Norfolk shots for the Senators. The popular netminder had several crowd pleasing saves in his 14th appearance of the season for Binghamton but fell just short in overtime. Still, good to see him in net with a strong performance.. Goaltender. Binghamton Senators. #35 SCOTT GREENHAM. B

B-SENS LINES

Forwards – Puempel-D Grant-Greening, Prince-Camper-Schneider, Guptill-Dzingel-Robinson, Kramer-McCormick-Dziurzynski

Defense – Claesson-A Grant, Johnson-Tuzzolino, Lepine-Wideman

Out – Brad Mills, Mike Sdao, Danny New and Patrick Mullen, injured. Danny Hobbs and Garrett Thompson, healthy.

UP NEXT

Friday night JOB and his Bears are in town as he returns to the place where his professional career took off.

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

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