Binghamton Senators @ WB/Scranton Penguins: Game Day Preview

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins host their nemesis the Binghamton Senators for the first time since game four of Round I of the AHL playoffs last spring for the first of eight tilt’s coming up this season. Both club’s are coming off losses suffered last night as the B-Sens lose 5-4 in OT while the Pens lost in Hershey by a score of 4-1.

(2-2-2, 6 pts) Tied for 2nd in the East Division

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(3-4-0, 6 pts) Tied for 2nd in the East Division

4:05 PM

Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live

MATCHUP HISTORY

Last season Binghamton won five out of eight played while winning the last four out of five. Early post season exit for the second consecutive season to the Penguins still haunts the Senators as they look to reverse the trend this season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bryan Rust, WBS – The 22-year-old native of Pontiac, MI is having early success in his first professional season with a team leading four goals and adding an assist in seven games. He’s a graduate of Notre Dame where he led the team in goals with 17 as a senior.

Matt Puempel, BNG – The second year professional will be banking on returning as the club’s leading scorer with one goal in the books so far. Matt played a great game against the Phantoms on Saturday as he will break out soon enough.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1.  Binghamton Looks to Ride Late Goal(s) Emotions – With the team trailing by two against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms with 15.4 seconds left, tied up the game with goals nine seconds apart that showed true character leading up to today’s matinee. The hangover loss could be a good thing for the Sens as a never quit attitude should carry over.

2.  Battle of the Power Play – Not. Binghamton is 1-22 ranking them next to last in the AHL while Wilkes-Barre is getting ‘hot’ scoring twice recently as they are 2-29, moving them from last place to 27th.

3.  Pens Lose Key Players – During the off-season the Penguins lost Brian Gibbons (Springfield) and Chuck Kobasew (SNL-A) as those two alone ate up the Sens during the playoffs. Look for a slightly different squad this season as netminder Jeff Zatkoff does return but is out with an injury that is slated to be “week-to-week” according to head coach John Hynes.

B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME

*Cover Graphic Art Courtesy of Matt Trayling