Two teams not likely to make the playoffs will battle it out as the Binghamton Senators and Lehigh Valley Phantoms take the ice in tonight’s affair. The Senators are in the middle of a three in three weekend as the Phantoms were idle last night. Should be a good one with Peter Mannino likely starting in-goal.
(22-26-5-1, 50 pts) Tied for 4th in East Division
@
(24-22-6-1, 55 pts) 3rd in East Division
7:05 PM
PPL Center
RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live.
MATCH-UP HISTORY
Senators with a big 4-3 win in overtime with Aaron Johnson scoring the game winner as they hold a 5-3 edge over the Phantoms.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brandon Manning, LV – Leads the league with 23 power play points and tied for first with 18 PP assists as the defenseman is second in points on the team with 39 (9 goals, 30 assists in 51 games).
Max McCormick, BNG – The feisty rookie has been fun to watch this season as he has the wheels and gives it all laying it on the ice while throwing down the gloves on occasion as he leads all rookies with 111 PIMs in just 39 games.
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Similar Goaltending Shortages – With the Flyers’ Ray Emery and Steve Mason both out with injuries, Lehigh Valley’s Rob Zepp and rookie Anthony Stolarz were suited up in last Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricane. Since then Stolarz has been returned and should be ready to go tonight for the Phantoms.
2. Shortages on Offense – With Colin Greening back in Ottawa and Matt Puempel still on re-call, the offense took a hit as evident in Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Hershey Bears, as the Senators will have to rely on some secondary scoring this weekend.
3. Phantoms Will be Ready – With the Senators last two games in Allentown yielded both wins, the Phantoms will be charged up and with the big home crowd behind them, this will be a tough one to grind out with a ton of animosity between the two growing rivals.
B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME
Hey @bsens_hockey... we will see you tomorrow. #LVvsBNG #mulan pic.twitter.com/weqUWDTzFc
— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) February 27, 2015
*Cover Art Courtesy of SenShot’s Graphic Artist Matt Trayling