Binghamton Senators vs Syracuse Crunch: Game Day Preview
Fresh off their thrilling 4-3 win over Utica on Friday, the Binghamton Senators are hoping to make it two straight in their quest to right the ship and get on a roll starting tonight against their rival’s the Syracuse Crunch, losers of their past three games.
(3-4-2, 8 pts) 4th in the East Division
VS
(3-4-1, 7 pts) Tied for 4th in Northeast Division
7:05 PM
Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena
RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live
MATCHUP HISTORY
Senators lost in Syracuse 4-2 earlier this month for the only game not decided by one goal, as the Crunch make the first appearance of the season in Binghamton.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jonathan Marchessault, SYC – Just returning from his one game stint for parent club Tampa Bay Lightning, forward Marchessault leads the Crunch with 2 goals and 5 assists, a +6 in 6 games. Originally signed to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he was traded to the Lightning in a four player swap earlier this year.
Chris Wideman, BNG – Imagine what role he would play filling in the skates of Mike Hoffman. The offensive defensive is on a roll remaining hot off the charts with 6 goals and 5 assists in 9 games to lead the league in scoring amongst all defensemen and tied for third overall with his 11 points.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1. Syracuse In a Heep of Early Trouble – After being in the Calder Cup Finals two seasons ago, the Crunch have landed in the basement in their division as the team’s total offensive output for those three losses is 2 goals while giving up 10 as the club is mired in a slump, with the latest a 3-0 set back at home to arch-rival Rochester Americans.
2. Binghamton Perhaps Turns the Tide? – Between the effort of Friday night’s win over Utica and the dysfunctional loss to the Comets’ on Wednesday, this club is still in the developing phase in team harmony and co-hesiveness. If they can sustain the effort like the first 30 minutes of last night and double that to a full 60 minutes, this club should be better then okay.
3. Will Ryan Dzingel Continue to Dangle? – Ryan had a strong game up in Utica as he was involved in many scoring opportunities including two quick breakaways. The rookie is fast and agile and now has support moving up from centering the fourth line to the second line. Let’s hope he puts up some points tonight.
*Cover Pic Courtesy of Alicia Strauch