B-Sens Struggling to Find Identity

November 28, 2006

Things have been a bit hectic at home so I haven’t had a chance to post. Seems like the longer I wait the more the B-Sens change. After an exciting, fight filled, win upon Kelly Guard’s return the Sens lapsed back into their old ways. Then a funny thing happened on the way to a matchup with division leader Wilkes-Barre Scranton. The Senators did something that fans have been begging for since before the season began…they brought in a legitimate enforcer in Mike Sgroi to skate against his former team. Sgroi’s presence provided a spark to this team that we haven’t seen all season. After falling behind 4-0 in the first 11 minutes on some very soft goals allowed by a sluggish Jeff Glass, the team finally showed some aggression and stormed a huge comeback to win 6-5 in a shootout.

There are two questions now. Can they sustain this type of play without another relapse and will the B-Sens commit to signing Sgroi to something more than a 25 game PTO.

The answer to the second one seems to be yes. Not only did the Sens loan Chanse Fitzpatrick to Elmira (Sgroi’s former team), but they have remove Fitz from their roster and put Sgroi in his place. I have to admit that I am an instant fan of Sgroi’s. Not just for his fight with Bonvie or his huge checks and hustle throughout the game but for his attitude:

“You know,” Sgroi said, “now they’re the enemy. Anybody I play against is the enemy now. This is my team. This is my home. And when I’m here, and I put on a Binghamton jersey, I represent this team and this organization. And I’ll do (my) absolute best. I’ll break my back for this team if I have to.”

This guy could to wonders for this team. The biggest change I saw was that the Senators stopped thinking and started doing. The passing was faster, the shots much harder and everyone had an extra jump to their step. The next big test for this team will be Saturdays rematch against the Penguins. I just hope the Senators have enough sense to keep Sgroi on the team.

Written by pucknut · Filed Under Binghamton Senators | Leave a Comment

Weekly Crosscheck Vol. 2, #8

November 21, 2006

Hi Everybody! Winnipeg Johnny here to inform you via another exciting edition of the Weekly Crosscheck.

A pretty good week all-around last week. I didn’t call them all right, but I came pretty close. The Ice Bats and Pucknuts won both their matchups and are tied with a league leading 88 points. The Spankers finally woke up much to the Sublimators dismay. The Monks beat Take Off Eh. The A-Team just squeaked by Spezztacular, but Camo lost to Sen Stanley, fulfilling my prediction that the A-Team would take the lead in the Northern Division.

New Records:
It was both a good week and a bad week for the Ice Bats. They finally got some goaltending (yeah… rotating 4 goaltenders) and smashed the old Wins record. In the meantime they lost the goals record to Camo, and worse, lost the PIM record to the Monks. The Sublimators tied the old Saberswinthecup! shorties record of 3. Although the Ice Bats have a firm lead in overall PIM, we might see some drastic line-up changes before the end of the season for no other reason than to re-take the goon title.
What are the picks for this week?

Week 8 Matchup

Ice Bats vs. Saberswinthecup!
The Ice Bats will take this one vaulting them in to sole possession of the lead.

Spezztacular vs. Pucknuts
The Pucknuts will win, although Spezztacular will put up a battle in Assists and Goaltending.

5 For Fighting vs. Sublimators
The Sublimators should take this easily and start their climb back up the ladder.

Spankers vs. Monks
This is the matchup of the week. Both teams with a hot hand right now. It’s going to be close in all categories. Lets call it a draw.

SenStanley vs. A-Team!
The A-Team is on top of the Division, but they won’t stay there. They might beat SenStabley but not by enough points to stay ahead of Camo.

Camo vs. Take Off Eh
Camo still has the better line-up although they’ve been cold. Camo will come out ahead and re-take the Northern Division.

Now the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The first ever induction into the Hockey Blog All Stars Hall of Fame. Ladies and Gentlemen…. it gives me great pleasure to announce the 2006 inductee…… Bamboni!

That is all.

-Johnny

Written by Winnipeg Johnny · Filed Under Fantasy, Featured | Leave a Comment

BU Bearcats at Cortland Red Dragons

November 18, 2006

November 18, 2006
7:00 pm

Binghamton University Bearcats at Cortland Red Dragons @ 7:00pm

Written by pucknut · Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment

BU Bearcats vs Cornell Big Red

November 17, 2006

November 17, 2006
7:30 pm

Binghamton University Bearcats vs Cornell Big Red @ 7:30pm
Chenango Ice Rink

Written by pucknut · Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment

Binghamton Senators Sign Cava to PTO

November 15, 2006

I’ve been avoid my B-Sens updates lately because there just hasn’t been anything positive to write about. Last Saturdays game against Philly was the worst game of the short season. Which is surprised since it began with the best period of the season. Bobby Robins was moved up to the #1 line and finally saw significant ice time. The move paid off quickly as his line scored the lone first period goal. But in the second period the wheels fell off and the Sens gave up 5 unanswered goals to a mostly unimpressive Philly team.

The big concern by many fans coming into this season was that our team had no real enforcers and would get pushed around. Well what we have seen so far this season is not a team getting pushed, but one that is unable to stand up. Teams are beating them physically, the problem is that the B-Sens aren’t playing much physical hockey at all, avoiding conflict and staying to the perimeter. They are registering a lot of shots, but they are all on the rush and very few rebounds. This weekend saw problems escalate as now the team is showing the effects of the losing streak and are playing ’safe’ hockey. I’ve seen faster passes from the STHA kids playing during intermissions. Their play is so telegraphed that the defense has no trouble re-adjusting and stopping any weak shot the Sens shoot their way.

The good news is that, unlike Ottawa, Binghamton seems willing to change. Yesterday they announced the signing of Chris Cava, a veteran ECHL defenseman who looked good in the preseason, but was cut due to lack of room. What is interesting about this move is that the B-Sens still have 7 healthy blue liners. The only reason Cava was signed was to address the lack of grit and to try and provide a spark plug for this team.

This is great news and I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, but this move also confirms the complaints of many other fans. This organization could have provided this type of player during the offseason by signing a legitimate AHL enforcer. Instead they are signing a ECHL player to a PTO, probably the cheapest contract in the AHL. My major concern is what relationship, if any, this cheapness has with the difficulty agreeing to a new lease agreement with the county. This is all speculation, but I’m afraid the duck is starting to quack.

I won’t dwell on things out of my control and instead I’ll be at the game rooting for our new stay at home defenseman. This is his AHL debut and I’m hoping this is a guy willing to do what it takes to stick with the team. Suspicions aside, this move can only help this team and I hope the energy provided by Cava is a catalyst to spark the hole team and turn this season around before its too late.

Written by pucknut · Filed Under Binghamton Senators | Leave a Comment

Weekly Crosscheck Vol. 2, #7

November 13, 2006

Hi Everybody! Wow! What a week.
Seven of ten league records were either broken or equaled, and I completely blew most predictions. First of all, I need to apologize to Cara. The Sublimators rocked and blew Take Off Eh out of the rink! Also The Monks totally annihilated Camo, and Five For Fighting didn’t even get off the bench against the Pucknuts. (Hey…at least I called the last one.)

New Records:
The Ice Bats tied their own goals record at 19, and set the new assists record at 39. I’m also happy to report that the Ice Bats old PIM record still stands although the Sublimators came within a 5 minute major of breaking it. Saberswinthecup! tied the Monks plus/minus record of +19, and also somehow pulled out a record 3 shorties, while the Monks went on to set a new Power Play record of 26. Also (much to Pucknut’s and my disbelief) SenStanley set two new goaltending records of 1.13 GAA and 0.971 SV%. Standings tightened up as The Pucknuts took first overall, and Take Off Eh fell into the basement. Camo got knocked from first to third overall, but are still tops in the Northern Division.

Well, lets see if I can do any better predicting the outcomes for this week.

Week 7 Matchup

Ice Bats vs. 5 For Fighting
This is an easy call. At least 7/10 for the Ice Bats. Perhaps a little goaltending from them this week? I sure hope so.

Saberswinthecup! vs. Pucknuts
Again an easy call. At least 6/10 for Pucknuts. Pucknuts are in big goaltending trouble this week, so watch for them to end up a few points behind the Ice Bats.

Spankers vs. Sublimators
The Sublimators should take this, although at some point the Spankers are going to wake up and start winning again. I don’t think this is their week, though. Spankers have a little farther to fall in the standings.

Take Off Eh vs. Monks
The Monks played great last week, and should win this week, however there was a major line up change for Take Off Eh, so they aren’t going down without a fight. Must suck to lose to your sister, eh?

Spezztacular vs. A-Team!
The A-Team keeps getting better and Spezztacular is anything but. An A-Team win may actually land them in first place in the Northern Division.

Camo vs. SenStanley!
Camo really fell a little short last week and is having a lot of IR trouble. I say they bounce back this week, but not enough to stay ahead of A-Team.

Now in the spirit of Hockey Hall of Fame Week I’d like for you to vote for which retired big fuzzy blue hockey mascot we should induct into the Hockey Blog Allstars Hall of Fame.
Benny (Winnipeg Jets: retired 1996) or Bamboni (B.C. Icemen: retired 2002)?

Submit your vote via the Blog comments…. we’ll announce the winner next week.