LONDON, ON – The Ottawa Senators team of rookies looked impressive over the weekend, going a perfect 3-0 against the rookies of the Penguins, Blackhawks and Maple Leafs. Many Binghamton Senators players from last season contributed to the on-ice success, including Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Derek Grant.
Grant, who spent all of last year with Binghamton, was spectacular in the Sens opening game on Thursday hustling his way to a pair of goals in the 4-2 victory over the rookies from Pittsburgh. The game was a physical one from the first puck drop as it was clear to see some bad blood still existed from the Calder Cup playoffs last season where the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins swept the B-Sens in three straight one goal victories.
Having Friday off, the Senators took to the ice Saturday for a shot at the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks’ rookies. This game was the toughest test for the Sens all weekend as they battled all afternoon to a 4-3 shootout win. Pageau was the star of the game netting two goals and narrowly missing a hat-trick late in the game. In the shootout Senators’ prospects Curtis Lazar and Andre Petersson were both good on their chances to pull out the victory.
With a chance to be perfect in the tournament the Senators took the ice Sunday against their division rival Toronto. Despite being down early 2-0, the Sens were able to find an offensive explosion netting six unanswered goals to beat the baby Leafs 6-2. Mark Stone, who along with Stephane DaCosta led the B-Sens in points last year, netted two goals to top off a fine tournament performance.
Pageau clearly was the best player on the ice throughout the tournament posting four points with three goals and an assist. B-Sens coach Luke Richardson was impressed with Pageau all weekend but not surprised.
“People ask why he’s even here (with rookies who are a step behind him) but it’s a process he’s gone through,” Richardson said. “Even with the success he had last year in the NHL (four points in nine games, six in four playoff starts), this was a good step for him to go out and have a chance to dominate, be real confident and stay on that level. He’s showing more of that offensive touch that he had in junior.”
The Ottawa Senators will start Training Camp this Wednesday, September 11. Their camp will run through September 29 when Ottawa faces the New York Islanders in a spilt-squad scrimmage. The Ottawa Senators will open their 2013-2014 regular season on the road in Buffalo against the Sabres Friday, October 4. The following day the B-Sens open at home, Saturday, October 5 at 7:05 p.m. against their division rival, the Syracuse Crunch.
Full-Season, Half-Season, 20-Game Coupon books as well as 5 & 10 game plans are available now by calling the Binghamton Senators Executive Office at (607) 722-SENS (7367) or by visiting our website at www.bsens.com. We will also be having an Open House at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena this Saturday, September 14 from 12-3 p.m.
-end-
For more information, please contact:
Joe Battaglini, Director of Media Relations, 607-722-7367
|
