Binghamton Senators Misery Continues

It took just 59 seconds into the first period to indicate what type of night was possibly in store for the Binghamton Senators as the St. John’s IceCaps ended their modest two game losing streak while increasing the Senators to three in a 4-1 road win at The Floyd on a rare Tuesday night in Binghamton. The loss was in similar fashion with no offense being the problem in this, their seventh loss out of the last eight games for the BSens (3-8-0-1).

Tonight goaltender Chris Driedger was not the victim of pucks off player’s skates as in Saturday’s loss to Springfield as the IceCaps (7-7-1-0) played smart, heads-up hockey and turned turnovers into scoring opportunities.

With the first that led to early success for St. John’s as defenseman Michael Kostka’s up the middle pass from behind the net was intercepted by forward Nikita Scherbak near the hash-marks, as he anticipated the play and proceeded to rip the puck down low past Driedger for a 1-0 lead.

Binghamton would finally reach a goal as Wichita call-up forward Jack Rodewald recorded his first in a Sens’ uniform to break a nearly six period goal-less streak at home. Buddy Robinson battled behind the cage and fed Rodewald in front as he buried the puck past St. John’s starter Charlie Lindgren that tied the game, 1-1. That would ignite the small crowd on a rainy night to thinking the team had a chance, but that would be put to rest as the IceCaps went ahead and scored the next three.

St. John’s defenseman Brett Lernout’s blast from the point caught some legs in front and deflected to David Broll, who reached around and tapped the loose puck by Driedger’s stick for his first of the season that made it 2-1 after two periods.

In the final 20 minutes St. John’s continued their onslaught with a pair of goals from Stefan Matteau and Charles Hudon a 1:26 apart. Matteau’s slapper from the side wall was so hard that a video review was needed to confirm that the puck went through the webbing's of the net. Replays did indeed show it did.

Then Hudon recorded his ninth with a shot that sailed far side through traffic as Driedger was late in his attempt to block it. Same effort, little to show for in this latest loss for Binghamton.

POST GAME NOTES

• Sens have one win in seven games at home. They also are dead last in scoring with 20 goals in 12 contests.
• The team finally named a Captain with veteran Mike Blunden earning the ranks.
• There were nine scouts in attendance which is rather unusual with so many. I’m sure with the big club shopping Andrew Hammond around there might be some kind of connection with a prospect or two.
• Andreas Englund has looked good with mimnimal mistakes and uses his big body effectively. Obviously needs some seasoning but so far pretty good.
• A pair of forwards switched spots as Nick Paul traded places with Ryan Rupert half way through the first period.
• Shots haven’t been an issue with another advantage, this time 32-29.
• McCormick-Varone-Lazar, Bailey-Rupert-Blunden, Rodewald-Flanagan-Robinson, Perron-Paul-Sortini. Sieloff/Kostka, Englund/Rumble, Lepine/Carlisle. Ben Harpur, Chad Nehring and Alex Krushelnyski all scratched. Vincent Dunn sent to Wichita./

UPCOMING GAMES

Next up, a three game weekend that begins with a visit by the Albany Devils on Friday.