Lawson Hurt In 4-1 Set Back To The Phantoms

The Senators Nathan Lawson suffered what appeared to be a groin or muscle pull in an awkward save outside the cage as he tried to regain his balance and get back to his feet, only to collapse in his crease flat on his stomach that hushed the large almost sold out Saturday night crowd at the Arena. Andrew Hammond came in on relief but the damage was done as Adirondack cruises to a 4-1 win over a sloppy game played by Binghamton.

GAME RECAP

Senators gets things rolling early as Mike Hoffman‘s quick shot is saved by Yann Danis. However, it’s Kris Newbury who gets the Phantoms on the board first with his tenth of the season as his slapper beats Lawson handedly down low for the 1-0 lead. Lawson then draws the goalie interference penalty on Rob Bordson as he displays the effective dramatics for the call. Sens power play amounts to nothing, but it’s Lawson who now is flat on the ice in pain to stop the game. He is helped off as he doesn’t put any weight on his left leg. Hammond is now in for relief.

Matt Puempel delivers a big hit on Brandon Manning as he slow to get back to his feet. Soon after Senators go on another powerplay as Manning in the box for tripping but fail to get the perfect set up with too many passes and not enough shooting. Now it’s the Phantoms opportunity with Jim O’Brien called for tripping and they cash in. Jason Akeson dekes both David Dziurzynski and Derek Grant and whistles one in down low by Hammond for a 2-0 lead.

Into the second as the Senators must play better as their passes are off and making some mental mistakes on this tough Phantom club. Andre Petersson gets nailed by Bruno Gervais and Puempel shoves him while a melee breaks loose amounting to even up penalties as a result. Lots of play stoppage as the period drags on. Senators aren’t showing their usual pep and are playing sluggish with the puck.

A couple of fights break out and the home team can’t even get it done either. Dziurzynski and Derek Mathers do the whirlybird with nothing amounting in punches thrown. Soon after, a pair of fives tussle as Mark Borowiecki takes on Steven Delisle but Boro gets nailed in the visor knocking him to the ice and the two end up wrestled down. Later, it’s the Senators going on a four-minute man advantage when Mike Matczak‘s stick draws blood from Darren Kramer‘s chin but the B-Sens manage just one shot on Danis during the whole powerplay. Unbelievable how awful this game is turning out to be.

Petersson decides to take matters into his own hands as Andre burned through center ice and made the Phantoms pay with his highlight reel wrister beating Danis top shelf to cut the lead by one. Awesome play and quality shot as Danis never saw it. 2-1 Phantoms as we head to the final period as the B-Sens potent offense needs to start playing better and get out of its funk. Hopefully Luke wakes them up during the intermission.

Third period underway and nothing has changed as the Senators are flat and have no flow to their game. Missed passes and bad puck control gives Adirondack ample opportunities in the period. Hammond does what he can but it’s not the Sens night as Danis has, meanwhile played a solid game in net. A pair of late goals by Adirondack seals the deal as Hammond gets pulled for the extra attacker but Akeson scores the empty netter for his second of the night making it 3-1. Bordson adds to it seconds later picking up the rebound off of Hammond and into the empty net for the 4-1 final.

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS

• As I predicted in my pre-game article concerning Lawson playing back to back games, I said the following statement, “Let’s not risk Lawson to an injury that puts too much pressure on the rookie netminder that last resulted in the team not winning in seven games.” And that is exactly what would happen unfortunately. Look for Scott Greenham getting the call from Elmira as Lawson has a history of groin pulls throughout his career that could sideline him for awhile.
• Sens lead in the East cut to one as W/B-Scranton won at home over Hartford 5-3.
• Danis played brilliant making some key saves, as few as they were, some point-blank as he shuts down the high-powered Sens offense. Just the fourth loss in regulation on home ice all season for Binghamton.
• Senators were 0 for 8 on the powerplay as the team had no flow or control of the puck in many of the man advantages they held, including a four-minute pp that yielded one shot.
• Adirondack’s booster club made the trip in section 12 and was rewarded the victory for the nice bus ride back home to Glens Falls.
• Phantoms sweep the three Stars of the Game honors on home ice for the first time in a long while since I can remember, and deservedly so.

3 STARS OF THE GAME

• #1 Danis (33 saves)
• #2 Akeson (2g 1a)
• #3 Newbury (1g)

—————

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME

Wednesday Night vs Adirondack Phantoms

*Cover photo and insert both courtesy of Alicia Strauch