Senators' Prospect Roundup: January 17th, 2012
When I write these updates, I get the opportunity to pass on some pretty outstanding numbers. Allow me to cut to the chase: Mark Stone has 73 points in 39 games. Jean-Gabriel Pageau has 46 in 26. Shane Prince? 50 in 33. Let's return to earth... a little. Stefan Noesen has 44 in 37, Matt Puempel has 33 in 30 and Jakob Silfverberg has 30 in 32. In total, that random helping of Senators prospects have combined for 276 in 187 games, which means absolutely nothing, but is still a pretty fun statistic to look at.
Still, after two years of reading absolutely eye-popping numbers from some of our prospects (Mark Stone is doing a fine job of leading that charge) one can't help but look ahead and wonder how these kinds of statistics will translate to production in the NHL. And I can't tell you. But, for those who have recovered from a year of watching YouTube highlights of David Rundblad (and that frustratingly catchy song that went with it) we can think about it some.
Binghamton Senators:
Binghamton came into this weekend having won 2 of their past 3 and looking like a better group than the beleaguered team they had been. This weekend fell hard. The B-Sens were 0-for-3, including some pretty disappointing losses. Shall we?
Syracuse Crunch 5, Binghamton Senators 2
Andre Petersson actually opened the scoring for the B-Sens in this one, but they were buried soon thereafter. Recently traded Luca Caputi chipped in for the Crunch, putting up a goal and an assist. The weekend didn't start off well for Mike McKenna, who surrendered all five of the goals scored against the B-Sens, before being pulled for the final twenty in favor of Robin Lehner. In a 5-2 loss, Jim O'Brien and Eric Gryba were both +1- they chipped in with assists on Borowiecki's third period tally, but the game was over.
Hershey Bears 6, Binghamton Senators 4
Two point nights for Da Costa, Petersson and Borowiecki were spoiled in spectacularly ugly fashion by a third period to forget for Binghamton. Leading by two going into the final frame, the B-Sens were overwhelmed by Hershey in the third, allowing a comeback... and then some. Binghamton was outshot 15-4 in the third period. Ick.
Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3, Binghamton Senators 2
Gillies and Lessard dropped the gloves twice. This is mostly notable because they both get into extremely low fighter stances. It's fairly curious to watch in a hockey game. The B-Sens showed some real fight in the second period, and were helped by back-to-back 5-on-3 penalties, cashing in on them both. They came to life with an absolute blast from Da Costa, followed by Klinkhammer adding in his requisite tally- Klinkhammer has been a point-per-game player since joining Binghamton. For some consolation, I would point out that the Islanders' affiliate has some fairly repulsive uniforms. I am no aficionado of jersey fashion, but I do not like these things.
More Stuff!
- Robin Lehner has gotten some breaks for his feisty competitiveness, so Ben Blood deserves one for this pretty unsavory deed. Blood has been stripped of his assistant captaincy for the move, so I'm sure he knows this was not a good move.
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau was traded to Chicoutimi, ending his reign as one of the two most accessible prospects for Senators fans. He had a pretty strong debut on Sportsnet last Friday, recording a goal and two assists.
- There was a little bit of talk that Shane Prince was beneficiary of playing on a line with Tyler Toffoli (67 points in 39 games) heading into this season. Not so. At least, not entirely so. This article from the Ottawa Sun discusses Prince's production on the 67's' secondary scoring unit.
- Andre Petersson may make his NHL debut during the upcoming Western swing. He has been outstanding of late, playing on Binghamton's top unit with a rejuvenated and healthy Corey Locke and Rob Klinkhammer. I spoke last week about his transition into a top role for Binghamton, a position he has completely embraced. No doubt that Binghamton will miss him this weekend.
- The Senators drafted Michael Sdao for his dominant physical presence on the ice. Not for his 15 points in 20 games, which is a weighty amount of awesome.
- If Binghamton is convincing you Ottawa is losing throughout the farm system, I'll point you in the direction of the Elmira Jackals. The Jackals are currently leading their division, and Sens' prospect Louie Caporusso has 23 points through 24 games with the club.
