The Binghamton Senators face off against their Interstate rivals Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in what continues to be a classic battle for two stubborn teams wanting to win the East Division title. Both clubs are coming off victory’s but the Senators are percentage points out front of the Penguins as they have a game on hand. This is heading to the best time of any hockey fan’s wishes as two rivals are battling for bragging rights in winning the East.
(42-23-1-5) 90 pts
/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.eiDTkNPD.dpuf(8-4-0-0) 16 pts
First in East Division
VS.
(41-23-3-5) 90 pts
Tied for First in East Division
Notes
The Senators keep finding a way to win despite their seriously depleted line up with guys either out injured, or playing up in Ottawa as I have a hard time convincing myself that we can do this but the club continues to prove me wrong. Although lots of credit is actually due to head coach Luke Richardson and Steve Stirling as I ran a recent article on how well Richardson has his player’s dialed in.
Sens are still seeded third in the Eastern Conference and hope to finish up at that spot as the first round in the post season stands facing the St. John’s IceCaps if they falter and fall to fifth spot. No thanks. As reinforcements are on the horizon next week, let’s just escape this weekend in clinching a playoff berth and no more injuries and worry about the division title next week.
New defenseman Alex Grant has fit in well and has added some experience to the Senators’ blue line as he has one powerful slapper that is most accurate. I bet it’s been a welcome change for Alex in returning to the hockey ‘hotbed’ in the Northeast where his past team being located in Scranton while Bingo is more centrally located. His past Norfolk, Virginia days might have been a bit more entertaining for him on his down days, but surely don’t think he misses the travel and long bus rides that accommodates it.
Shane Prince and Matt Puempel have been dazzling for the team as Richardson has been forced to put those two on the first line and it’s working. They both read each other well and have hockey IQ’s that are better than average. With players healing up and returning from Ottawa, it’s going to be hard for Richardson in making line up decisions that benefits the team along with who’s the best fit in any given situation.
Players To Watch For
W/B-Scranton: Forwards Andrew Ebbett (12g 26a 41gms) and Nick Drazenovic (13g 28a 60gms), Defenseman Brendan Mikkelson (8g 29a 70gms).
Binghamton: Forward Matt Puempel (29g 18a 69gms) and David Dziurzynski (11g 11a 63gms), Defenseman Mike Sdao (6g 5a 57gms).
Season Series
Senators have won four out of six played against the Penguins with two games remaining including tonight’s contest.
Current Playoff Picture
- Percentage of reaching the playoffs: 99.9%
- Overall position (out of 100%) : 11th in the league
- Won or loss after last game +/-: +0.1 (W over Hershey).
Sens Tweet of the Day
Media
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Article Pic
Cover photo courtesy of Matt Trayling.