The Norfolk Admirals are in town to face the Binghamton Senators once again as two teams gunning for the playoffs with the Senators percentage points atop in the East and Norfolk crawling to stay alive. Binghamton has now shifted to survivor mode as the offense has been somewhat depleted with injuries and call ups throughout the organization. All is well if we make the playoffs but I want an East Division banner hanging in the rafters as last year we fell short by a single point to Syracuse. Perhaps I’m being too greedy. (Insert smiley face here.)
(40-22-1-5) 86 pts
/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.eiDTkNPD.dpuf(8-4-0-0) 16 pts
First in East Division
VS.
(35-24-2-7) 79 pts
Third in East Division
Projected Lines
Puempel-D. Grant-Prince
Robinson-Dzingel-Schneider
Thompson-Dziurzynski-Hobbs
Kramer-Hamilton-Cowick
Borowiecki-Mullen
Claesson-A. Grant
Wideman-Sdao
Lawson-Hammond
Scratches
Injured Reserve: Defensemen Danny New. Forwards Stephane Da Costa and Jim O’Brien.
Healthy: Forward Jacob Culek.
Notes
The word out on the streets Friday was Jean-Gabriel Pageau sticking up with Ottawa even though Jason Spezza was back in the line up drawing ire from B-Sens fans. I don’t know how Binghamton is going to do this from this point on in accomplishing a post season berth, but I have faith in Luke Richardson and his system in place, and so should fans. Once Ottawa’s season is completed on the 13th, Pageau along with Mark Stone, Cody Ceci, Mike Hoffman and Stephane Da Costa will all be available for Binghamton’s final three games of the season and into the playoffs if we clinch. Yup, that’s a big ‘if’.
Fredrik Claesson continues his steady play while his +39 is tops in the league. Alex Grant and Pat Mullen have been decent adding experience to the back-end and help steady what was once a young defense. Captain Mark Borowiecki and his physical play dominates action in his waning days in Binghamton while Chris Wideman keeps adding up the points. I’d like to see one more Mike Sdao fight though, before the season is up. Come on Mike, bring it.
Ryan Dzingel had an impressive first game in Friday night’s loss to Rochester having an assist, but the real test will be on home ice and the smaller rink. Same goes for Garrent Thompson as the two college players will be debuting in Binghamton in front of the home fans. Here’s wishing for better results in winning over Norfolk tonight as we count on Shane Prince, Cole Schneider, Derek Grant and Matt Puempel to lead the way for the new look offense in what it is for the time being.
Players To Watch For
Norfolk: Forwards Emerson Etem (17g 27a 43gms) and Devante Smith-Pelly (27g 16a 55gms), Defenseman Kevin Gagne (2g 18a 63gms).
Binghamton: Forward Shane Prince (20g 22a 61gms) and Buddy Robinson (11g 14a 61gms), Defenseman Mark Borowiecki (2g 6a 49gms).
Season Series
Sens are 5-1-0-0 this season against the Ads with one game remaining after this evening’s contest.
Current Playoff Picture
- Percentage of reaching the playoffs: 99.8%
- Overall position (out of 100%) : 8th in the league
- Won or loss after last game +/-: –0.1 (L to Rochester).
Sens Tweet of the Day
Couldn't be more excited for this opportunity with the @Senators organization! Thank you everyone for the support #blessed
— Garrett Thompson (@GarThompson) April 2, 2014
Media
Tune into iHeartRadio for audio and on TWCS Channel 325 in the Southern Tier.
Article Pic
Cover photo courtesy of Alicia Strauch.