Toronto Marlies Top Binghamton Senators 3-1
Senators' four game win streak comes to an end at the hands of the red hot Marlies
The annual late morning turned early afternoon affair was on hand in Toronto, as the 11:00 AM start was to benefit a large influx of kids as they enjoyed a 3-1 win over the visiting Senators. The loss ended the Senators (21-29-3-0) modest four game winning streak while sending the Marlies (41-9-4-0) to their fourth straight victory.
Three goals in the first period would stick the remainder of the game until a late empty netter by the Marlies, as they showed why they are the cream of the crop in the AHL.
Senators would open of them scoring 9:01 with Travis Ewanyk on a difficult angle to the left of Marlies netminder Garret Sparks, who finished the contest with 22 saves. Sens defenseman Michael Kostka chose to pass down low in lieu of taking a shot through traffic, and Ewanyk made it pay off with his fourth of the season. The good vibes would be short lived as the Marlies added two quick goals to take the lead.
Just 58 seconds after, budding star William Nylander scored his 17th taking a short pass in the middle from defenseman Andrew Campbell and sniped it by goaltender Matt O'Connor to tie it at one apiece. Then 41 seconds after that, defenseman T.J. Brennan let a wrist shot go from his blueline that was deflected in front by rookie Zach Hyman, as the puck rung of the post and in past O'Connor giving the Marlies a 2-1 lead.
Not much of an eventful tilt between the two clubs as they make the most of the early draw with little drama the rest of the way. With O'Connor pulled late in the third, Zach Hyman would get the empty netter to end the afternoon with the Senators on the losing end by a score of 3-1.
TONIGHT'S LINE-UP
Bailey-O'Dell-Schneider
Rupert-Flanagan-Robinson
Hobbs-McCormick-Allen
Carlisle-Ewanyk-Stortini
Lepine-Kostka
Sdao-Claesson
Fraser-Harpur
Matt O'Connor
Chris Driedger
WHO'S OUT
Matt Puempel, injured. Dave Dziurzynski, healthy.
POST GAME NOTES
- What are you gonna do as the Marlies are running away with it this season and are a dangerous club. I don't see how they will be denied in the playoffs as they will be expected to make a deep run.
- The team's first game against ex-Sens Tobias Lindberg after he was traded to Toronto and recorded two shots while wearing #20. It was also the first with Ryan Rupert and Casey Bailey, as the latter was on ice for all three goals allowed. Sens property Matt Frattin wore the A for Toronto.
- Binghamton played a 11:00 AM pre-season game a few years back, but Toronto has made it an annual event with the Senators every season.
- David Dziurynski was returned by Ottawa after a lengthy stay that saw him on the sidelines with an injury, only to recently return as a healthy scratch before being sent down. In his place, Ryan Penny was returned to Evansville, as he also has been a healthy scratch as of late.
- Binghamton had an opportunity with a win to crawl within 4 points of Syracuse in the division standings, as the Crunch continues to free fall losing 10 out of their last 11. There's still hope they can climb out of the basement, and what would be better than sending their rivals in its place as the next two games are against them.
BOX SCORE
UPCOMING GAMES
Two big meetings with the Syracuse Crunch on tap for the coming weekend with the first taken place in Syracuse on Friday. After an off day on Saturday, back to Bingo on Sunday for a late afternoon tilt.