Binghamton Senators Host Rochester Americans: Game Preview

Now with the first quarter of the season taking a hike, the Binghamton Senators can build on their latest momentum swing and continue to carry over some wins as they take on their long time rival’s, Rochester Americans tonight to finish out their 4/5 home-stand on a successful note.

(8-8-2-1, 18 pts) 3rd in East Division

VS

(9-10-1-0, 19 pts) 3rd in North Division

7:05 PM

Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena

RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live

MATCHUP HISTORY

The Senators took the first game up in Rochester 3-1 on Nov 7th, as this is the first meeting at home, with only two left in the season between the long time rivals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Phil Varone, RCH – Varone is playing his fourth season for the Amerks and is a club leader in points with 21 (6 goals 15 assists in 20 games) while making his NHL debut with parent Buffalo last season registering 1 goal and 1 helper.

Shane Prince, BNG – Prince has a six game point streak, 5 goals and adding 5 assists, in helping the Senators earn four wins in their last six contests as the club continues to get over the early season doldrums as Prince has been one of the hottest players during that stretch.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1. Shot Against Totals are Down – After experiencing the norm of 40+ shots against, the Senators are lowering the averages as a co-cohesive collaboration between the offense and defense, as they have average 30.67 over the last three games versus 40+ something during an earlier stretch this season.

2. Rochester Tops Grand Rapids in OT – Rochester won their Friday night affair 4-3 over the Griffins in overtime as beat writer Kevin Oklobzija had this to say about the OT session that caught my attention: “And since teams also switch ends before overtime, it’s a longer skate to the bench to make a change. The overtime becomes an endurance test if players are trapped on the ice for a long shift.” That’s a very fair analysis that is often overlooked.

3. Goaltending Scenario III– Senators’ Chris Driedger earned his first AHL win on Friday against Syracuse as Andrew Hammond has been out after getting banged up in practice. Scott Greenham was Driedger’s back-up last night as all three are in Binghamton and who knows what’s going to end up happening tonight.

B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME

*Cover Pic Courtesy of SenShot’s Photographer Alicia Strauch