Binghamton Senators Search For 3rd Straight Win Vs. Penguins
By Jeff Ulmer
As the up and down season continues for the Binghamton Senators, they will be playing for their third straight win as they faceoff tonight against their rivals down south of the border, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
(27-28-7-1, 62 pts) 4th in East Division
@
(36-20-3-4, 79 pts) 2nd in East Division
7:05 PM
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live.
MATCH-UP HISTORY
Senators has lost five of six to the Penguins this season as it hasn’t been a pretty one with two clubs going in different directions.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matt Murray, WBS – The Sens will most likely see goaltender Jeff Zatkoff in net as Murray played in Friday’s loss to the Syracuse Crunch, but it has to be noted this rookie has been on fire in setting an AHL record shutout streak of 304 minutes and 11 seconds beating Barry Brust‘s record of 268:17 in 2012. He has 9 shutouts tying him for the most by a rookie and has a record of 20-8-3, 1.61 GAA and a 0.939 SV%. But does he like hamburgers?
Cole Schneider, BNG – Cole leads the club in goals with 23 and has 22 assists in 56 games as his line with Carter Camper and Shane Prince are tearing it up offensively as one of the bright spots to the Senators’ so-so season. Those are numbers you can’t ignore as Ottawa needs to address a renewal contract at some point for the 24 year old third year pro.
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Alex Grant Returns – After being out for some time with a bruised ankle suffered while blocking a shot, Alex is slated to return leaving someone to sit on the blue line, likely Guillaume Lepine. He brings something this team has plenty of on the offensive side, but is slightly above average on the defense but should finish strong as he’s playing for a contract for next season.
2. Zack Smith – Wears #23 as his old #18 is taken, should be stronger as the more games he gets under his belt during this conditioning stint. Appears no ill effects to his ankle as he skated at times filling in on every other shift in the third period in Friday’s win over Norfolk. Should be ready to go after the weekend back up in Ottawa. (Somehow I think he’ll remain for the two weeks here in Bingo if Ottawa keeps having their winning ways.)
3. Penguins Cool Off on Ice – With the Pens having a recent stretch of winning seven of eight, they have cooled off some losing their last two as they chase the Hershey Bears for first place in the East Division. Possibly they may take the Senators lightly as hopefully Binghamton can steal two points in a tough place to do it.
*Cover Art Courtesy of SenShot’s Graphic Artist Matt Trayling
Next: Schneider, Prince Lead Binghamton Senators Comeback Past Norfolk