LAST WEEK: The B-Sens dropped two divisional games to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
FRIDAY, OCT. 31 vs. BRIDGEPORT (4-2 L): The B-Sens fell behind early as Bridgeport put 15 shots on net in the opening period and converted on two of those. Andrew MacDonald netted the first tally followed by Kurtis McLean’s short-handed marker to give Bridgeport a 2-0 lead. Binghamton responded early in the second period with a power-play goal from Ryan Shannon. Rookie Zack Smith put home a loose puck to tie the game at 2. Tim Jackman buried the eventual game-winner on a 5-on-3 advantage. Jackman added another late goal to make it a 4-2 final.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1 vs. BRIDGEPORT (6-5 L): The Sound Tigers once again took command early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead with goals from Jack Hillen & Mike Iggulden. Rookie Kaspars Daugavins netted his first marker of the season, intercepting a pass in the neutral zone and firing a slap shot past netminder Peter Mannino. After a Shawn Weller goal, Ilya Zubov scored two goals in a 1:41 span to bring the B-Sens within one goal. Winger Ryan Shannon scored on a deflection two minutes later to tie the game a 5. The Sound Tigers netted the game-winner with 9 seconds remaining in regulation to complete the weekend sweep.
THIS WEEK: The B-Sens continue their home stand when they host Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 7 followed by a visit from the Worcester Sharks on Saturday, Nov. 8.
FRIDAY, NOV. 7 vs. SYRACUSE (7:05 p.m.): The B-Sens get their third crack at Syracuse on Friday night and are hoping for their first win against the North Division squad. The Crunch (7-2-0-0, 14pts.) spoiled Binghamton’s home opening game on Friday, Oct. 17 with a shootout victory. The B-Sens grabbed another point in an overtime loss in Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 24. Ilya Zubov has two goals and one assist in two games against the Crunch this year, while defenseman Mattias Karlsson has three assists. Dan LaCosta has been in net for both Syracuse victories against Binghamton.
SATURDAY, NOV. 1 vs. WORCESTER (7:05 p.m.): Binghamton hasn’t faced Worcester since the 2006-07 season. The Sharks (4-4-0-0, 8 pts.) won both of their games this past weekend, in Hartford on Friday night and then home against Manchester on Saturday. Netminder Thomas Greiss has been between the pipes in all eight games for the Sharks. Former B-Sen Ryan Vesce captain’s the Sharks squad and has six points (1+5) in eight games, with his lone goal a game-winner.
SENS SNIPPETS: The B-Sens are into their busiest month of the year with 15 games slated for November. Right wing Ryan Shannon (4+3) and defenseman Brendan Bell (2+4) are each riding a six-game point streak. Second-year forward Ilya Zubov tied a career high with two goals and set a new career high with three points (2+1) in the B-Sens 6-5 loss to Bridgeport on Saturday night. The B-Sens power-play unit is tied for 4th in the AHL (8/40, 20%).
B-SENS LEADERS:
POINTS: Zubov (5+5=10)
GOALS: Z. Smith (6)
ASSISTS: Bell (6)
POWER-PLAY GOALS: Shannon (4)
SHORT-HANDED GOALS: None
GAME-WINNING GOALS: Z. Smith (2)
SHOTS: Z. Smith (26)
WINS: Elliott (3)
SAVES: Elliott (168)
GAA: Glass (2.41)
SAVE PERCENTAGE: Glass (0.918)
B-SENS PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
11-3-08 - 10:30 - 11:30 @ BCVMA
11-4-08 - 10:30 - 11:30 @ BCVMA
11-5-08 - 10:30 - 11:30 @ BCVMA
11-6-08 - 10:30 - 11:30 @ BCVMA
11-7-08 - 10 - 10:45 @ BCVMA
7 vs. Syracuse
11-8-08 - 10 - 10:45 @ BCVMA
7 vs. Worcester
B-SENS ON THE AIR: Catch all the action LIVE on WINR 680-AM & WENE 1430-AM, via webcast or streaming video cast at www.ahllive.com
B-SENS TICKET PACKAGES: 2008-09 full-season, half-season tickets, coupon books, 10-game, 5-game and 4-game plans are on sale. For information on ticket packages contact the Binghamton Senators’ executive office at (607) 722-SENS.
