LAST WEEK…
Friday, Feb. 4: Binghamton 3, Norfolk 4
Shots: Binghamton 28, Norfolk 33
PP: Binghamton 1 for 4, Norfolk 2 for 5
The B-Sens played their first of two games last weekend at the Norfolk Scope Arena. Binghamton stormed back from a 3-1 deficit, scoring a pair of goals in the third period to force overtime against the Admirals. Bobby Butler, Patrick Wiercioch and Kaspars Daugavins each recorded goals for the B-Sens, while Corey Locke earned credit for a pair of assists. Daugavins’s 11th goal of the season came with just 1:05 remaining in regulation to send the teams to overtime tied 3-3. At 3:03 of extra time, Matt Bergeron’s second goal of the game gave the Admirals the 4-3 overtime victory. Mike Brodeur manned the net for Binghamton, making 29 saves.
Saturday, Feb. 5: Binghamton 3, Norfolk 2
Shots: Binghamton 20, Norfolk 34
PP: Binghamton 1 for 4, Norfolk 0 for 2
The B-Sens enacted some revenge on the Admirals Saturday night. With the teams tied 2-2, it seemed that overtime was inevitable, until Roman Wick net the game-winner for Binghamton with just 12.5 seconds remaining in regulation. Derek Smith scored a pair of goals for the B-Sens while Corey Locke added a pair of assists for the second straight game. Barry Brust returned to goal for the B-Sens for the first time since Jan. 19, stopping 32 of 34 shots faced. Dustin Tokarski appeared in goal for Norfolk for the second straight game, stopping 17 of 20 Binghamton shots.
Record:25-20-3-3
Standings:The B-Sens are fifth place in the East Division (56 points).
THIS WEEK…
Friday, Feb. 11 @ Rochester Americans (Florida Panthers)
The B-Sens travel to the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester tonight to face the North Division’s Amerks for the sixth of eight meetings between the two teams this season. Rochester fell to 21-25-3-2 following a 1-0 home loss to Abbotsford on Wednesday night. The B-Sens have won their last three games against the Amerks, most recently defeating them 2-1 in Binghamton on Jan. 8. Michal Repik continues to lead Rochester in scoring with 40 points (eight goals, 32 assists) in 45 games played. The Amerks may be without the services of Bill Thomas who is currently on recall to the Florida Panthers. He has played in 35 games with Rochester this season recording 24 points (five goals, 19 assists). Thomas tallied three assists against the B-Sens in the Amerks 6-4 victory on Nov. 10 in Rochester.
Saturday, Feb. 12 @ Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)
B-Sens may be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief following Saturday’s game as it is the last time the B-Sens will face the Hershey Bears during the 2010-11 regular season. The B-Sens are only 2-5-0-0 against Hershey this season and haven’t won a game at the Giant Center since Oct. 24, 2009 (a 5-2 Binghamton victory). The Bears are 9-0-0-1 in their last ten games and have pulled within eight points of the first place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the East Division. The Bears also currently hold the second best winning percentage overall in the AHL at .680. A bright spot for the B-Sens to focus on is the fact that although Hershey is 11-1-1-3 so far in 2011, their only regulation loss came at the hands of the Senators on Jan. 16, a 2-1 Binghamton victory at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Sunday, Feb. 13 @ Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)
The B-Sens pay their second visit of the season to the Glens Falls Civic Center on Sunday for the fifth of eight meetings between against the Phantoms. The B-Sens swept their first three games against the East Division rival, all at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, outscoring the Phantoms handsomely 19-5. Adirondack turned the tables on Jan. 26 when the teams met for the first time in Glens Falls this season. The Phantoms went on to beat the B-Sens in that game 4-3. Former B-Sens captain Denis Hamel leads all Phantoms in points with 31 (17 goals, 14 assists) in 37 games played.
SENS SNIPPETS…
Going into the weekend, B-Sens forward Corey Locke is three points ahead of Oklahoma City’s Alexander Giroux for the AHL’s scoring lead. Locke currently ranks first overall in the league in scoring with 64 points (16 goals, 48 assists) in 45 games played. He is also first in the league in assists and power play assists (26).
B-SENS BRINGING IT HOME TO THE COMMUNITY…
On Monday, Feb. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m., Cody Bass and his Binghamton Senators teammates will hold a special outdoor skate at Highland Park (801 Hooper Rd., Endwell, N.Y.) to help raise awareness and funds for WINGS (When I Need Guidance & Support). Those who wish to participate must bring their own skates. There is no cost to skate. Hackerthreads.com will be on hand to sell WINGS t-shirts which were designed with the assistance of Bass and there will be refreshments available at the park concession stand. Proceeds from the sale of t-shirts and refreshments will benefit WINGS. Visit www.codybasswings.com for more information.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE (Times are subject to change) …
Friday, Feb. 11
2:30 p.m. – bus departs for Rochester
7:35 p.m. game @ Rochester Amerks
Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Square, Rochester, N.Y.
Post game – bus departs for Binghamton
Saturday, Feb. 12
2 p.m. – bus departs for Hershey
7 p.m. game @ Hershey Bears
Giant Center, 550 Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, P.A.
Post game – bus departs for Binghamton
Sunday, Feb. 13
12 p.m. – bus departs for Glens Falls
5 p.m. game @ Adirondack Phantoms
Glens Falls Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Glens Falls, N.Y.
Post game – bus departs for Binghamton
Monday, Feb. 14
DAY OFF
Tuesday, Feb. 15
10:15 a.m. practice – Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
Tioga Downs Casino, 2384 West River Road, Nichols, N.Y.
Wednesday, Feb. 16
10:15 a.m. practice – Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
Thursday, Feb. 17
10:15 a.m. practice – Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
-Go B-Sens Go-