It was an ugly night tonight for the Senators and the officials (Stephen Walkom and Frederik L’Ecuyer).  The game was over before the 10:00 mark and made for trying viewing.  For the box score go here link.  There were positives among the negatives, but I’ll look at the goals first:
1. Daugavins (Smith, Karlsson)
Picks up the rebound and deposits it in the empty net
2. Pittsburgh, Kunitz
Poor defensive coverage and gap control as Kunitz is left wide open on the far side and Alfredsson can’t stop the pass across
3. Pittsburgh, Kennedy
Scores from behind the net, shooting into Anderson‘s feet
4. Pittsburgh, Sullivan (pp)
5-on-3 goal with Sullivan‘s cross-ice pass going in off Phillips skate
5. Pittsburgh, Malkin
Michalek blocks a shot but can’t control the puck; Malkin skates around him and scores easily from the slot
6. Pittsburgh, Dupuis
Left wide open in front to cash in a rebound as Cowen as he loses his check
7. Cowen (Alfredsson, Foligno)
On a delayed penalty Cowen blasts one in from the point
8. Pittsburgh, Staal
Alfredsson loses a puck battle and then his check as Staal walks right in and scores
9. Condra (Foligno, Lee)
Dekes through three Penguins on a great individual effort

Positive performances:
Zack Smith – a great game all around (including an assist and no turnovers), although he did not get the ice time I would have expected
Erik Condra – a strong game in both zones

Players who struggled:
Craig Anderson – was brutal; the second goal was inexcusable and he couldn’t make a key save to keep his team in the game
Jason Spezza – lead the team in turnovers and accomplished nothing offensively
Chris Phillips – second in turnovers and produced yet another own-goal

The Binghamton Senators lost 4-1 to Syracuse.  Craig Schira had the only goal.  I did not see the game, so I’m reliant on reports.  From what I read Robin Lehner played fairly well despite the goals against.  For the box score go here link and Joy Lindsay’s game story here link.  Tim Conboy did not play and is out with a knee injury.  Jim O’Brien (foot) and Mark Parrish (groin) are not expected to play tomorrow.

Elmira lost 5-3 tonight, Brian Stewart taking the loss and Louie Caporusso and Jack Downing had no points and both were -2.

November 25, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

-According to The Ottawa Sun no lineup changes are expected tonight other than Craig Anderson in goal (link)

–The Ottawa Sun‘s Don Brennan wonders how the Sens will handle Sidney Crosby (link), which doesn’t cover new ground, but contains a good quotes from Zack Smith, “I just don’t think anyone is going to try and elbow him [Crosby] in the head or hit him like he was before, but that should be the case with everyone.”

–The Ottawa Citizen‘s Wayne Scanlan looks at Colin Greening‘s season thus far (link), with the rookie downplaying Calder talk, “I’m more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy.”  He also talks about his work in the weight room, “I’ve always put a lot of time into it. It’s an interest of mine. I think if something is your passion, you tend to spend more time at it. I enjoy working out, I enjoy going to the gym; maybe it’s the endorphins that I get. I love talking to Chris Schwarz about different techniques he has learned or different equipment, different exercises.”  Finally he adds, “Being in the corners battling, in front of the net battling, they’re the things  that if I want to stay at this level I’ve got to do.”

–Senators Extra‘s Ken Warren mentions Nikita Filatov‘s strong performance in the two games he’s played since the KHL flap (link), with three goals and three assists

-Warren, writing for The Ottawa Citizen, wonders how Stephane Da Costa will do against Pittsburgh’s talented centers (link), with Paul MacLean saying he’ll line up against Jordan Staal to start

-Binghamton won its second game in a row with a victory over Adirondack.  Nikita Filatov, Derek Grant, and Mark Parrish each had three point nights while Andre Petersson added a goal.  I did not see the game so I’m reliant on reports (for the box score go here link, for Joy Lindsay’s game summary go here link).

–Robin Lehner is expected to get the start tonight against Syracuse

November 25, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment