Binghamton Senators Shutout Rochester In Season Finale

Goaltender Scott Greenham made 30 saves and recorded his second shutout of the season as the Binghamton Senators rolled over the Rochester Americans by a score of 5-0. It was a festive night as the large crowd on Fan Appreciation Night went home on a happy note to what was otherwise a disappointing season of hockey here in the Southern Tier of NY.

RECAP

Forward Derek Grant gets the party started by scoring his 21st as he takes off from center ice and fires a wrister from the right circle putting his club in front 1-0 at 4:53 of the first. Defenseman Guillaume Lepine throws a hard shoulder into Dan Catenacci knocking him down on the ice as Greenham gobbles up a shot from forward Allan McPherson. Senators' Shane Prince develops a breakaway from an Amerks' turnover but his backhander rings off the iron. Greenham then gets a slapper to the throat protector from Rochester's Eric Cornel from about 15 feet out, but appears okay and no damage is done.

Two players on ATO's decide to drop the gloves behind the net as Matthew Zay of the Senators and Jayden Hart go at it with Zay landing a series of rights to the back of Hart's head. Greenham then flashes the leather on a chip shot from the stick of Sam Reinhart. Binghamton goes up by two as Buddy Robinson dishes a short drop pass to defenseman Troy Rutkowski, and from the blue line his slapper finds a hole and trickles into the back of the cage past Amerks' netminder Anthony Peters for a 2-0 game.

Into the third period is where the fun begins as Binghamton and the home fans are in a celebratory mood. Captain Aaron Johnson from deep in his zone, sends the puck up ice to Cole Schneider along the half wall as Cole quickly finds Prince near the corner of the net as his pass is tipped in past Peters.

Just 26 seconds later, rookie forward Alex Guptill scores his 9th with a chip shot from about 30 feet out high slot as the puck sails by Peters sending the crowd into a frenzy. All Senators as Rochester is just flat in the third. Senators' veteran Carter Camper slides the puck from behind the net in front to Schneider and he one times it home giving Binghamton a 5-0 lead. That is Schneider's team leading 29th of the season as the final horn blows with the team doing a stick salute to the home fans.

GAME NOTES

• Always impressed with the play of rookie forward Max McCormick with his hustle on every shift as he really stuck out for me on a good note. Kid is going to be a decent addition to the Ottawa Senators someday soon.
  

• Same can be said of his room mate Ryan Dzingel as he earned two assists tonight with his second setting up Guptill from the boards on a alert pass. The kid can really skate.

• Good game from rookie defenseman Rutkowski with a goal and an assist while +4, as he is slated to begin next season in Binghamton./

• Greenham was outstanding at times with his 15th win of the year. Local goaltender Justin Summerfield was brought in as a back up with Chris Driedger out with an injury and Peter Mannino celebrating the birth of his first child.

• Shots end up in favor of the Senators, 36-30.
  
• Fan Appreciation Night always a bittersweet one as it marks the end of the season and no playoffs this year. However, winning a car is always fun, along with a packed house, Eddie and his dance, the B-Mets team in attendance and the final victory of the season.
• The Senators have a lot of work to do during the off-season. I'll be sure to include updates and player analysis throughout the summer months here at my new home.
  
• Team Awards were handed out pregame with the following recipients bringing home the hardware;/

Most Valuable Player - Chris Wideman

Rookies of the Year - Ryan Dzingel & Max McCormick

Top Defensive Forward - Derek Grant

Top Defenseman - Chris Wideman

7th Player Award (Team Vote) - Max McCormick

Star of the Year - Shane Prince

Man of the Year - Mike Sdao