Ottawa lost in overtime to the Islanders tonight in a game that lacked intensity and pace.  The Sens were lifeless in the first period and were only marginally better the rest of the game.  Defensive breakdowns cost them (they did not have to pay for a pair of dumb penalties that they took).  Thankfully the officials were not a story tonight.  It was Jim O’Brien‘s first NHL game of this season and he was solid in limited ice time .  Here is the  box score.  A look at the goals:
1. Smith (Condra, Gonchar) (sh)
Smith keeps on a 2-on-1 and Nabokov flubs the save
2. NYI, Martin
Cowen mis-reads the rush and leaves Martin wide open for a one-timer
3. NYI, Eaton
Foligno is lazy on the backcheck and leaves Eaton wide open who has an open net after Anderson over-commits to Jurcina

Top-performers:
Erik Condra – excellent in all zones
Erik Karlsson – he wasn’t perfect, but definitely the most active blueliner

Players Who Struggled:
Matt Carkner – his lack of footspeed is telling, but turnovers were the main problem (along with a dumb penalty)
Chris Phillips – lead the team in turnovers, making mental errors in his own zone

Binghamton also lost in overtime tonight, with Mike Hoffman and Jack Downing scoring the goals (Hoffman had two points).  Here’s the box score (there is no game summary from Joy Lindsay).

Elmira lost 4-3 in a shootout, Corey Cowick scored, Brian Stewart dressed as a back-up, and Louie Caporusso did not dress.

February 3, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

-As a sign of desperate times Paul MacLean is experimenting with Alfredsson on the point on the powerplay–I don’t think he has the foot speed to do that anymore (link)

–The Silver Seven‘s Adnan wonders if the Sens should call up Robin Lehner, and while I agree with him that Lehner would have better numbers in the NHL, he’s not fully healthy and I don’t think the Sens would consider it until he’s played a few games in Binghamton

–Don Brennan writes about Jason Spezza‘s point drought and Milan Michalek‘s goalless streak, but doesn’t put his finger on the real issue: rotating linemates and the failed Bobby Butler experiment.  I like Colin Greening on the line as a defensive safety net, but think the move to put Erik Condra there provides something similar.

–ESPN and The Hockey News‘ power rankings have Ottawa 12th and 13th

–Mike McKenna is expected to start for Binghamton, but as yet the lineup for tonight has not been posted

–Corey Cowick has been re-assigned to Elmira; Cowick, who was off to a better start this season, is on a nine-game pointless streak.

–Hockey’s Future‘s staff writes about the hot/cold prospect through January, singling out Andre Petersson, “Since his return [from injury] in early January, Petersson has been one of the most dominant players in the AHL, a feat all the more extraordinary considering the middling season the Baby Sens are having. Through eight January games played, Petersson managed eight goals and seven assists, more than doubling his point total on the season. His numbers could have even been greater if he had not made his NHL debut on January 21st, skating five minutes in place of a banged-up Bobby Butler“, and Shane Prince, “Snubbed by USA Hockey to represent his country in the U20 WJCs, Shane Prince took whatever anger or frustration he felt and put together one of the most prolific stretches of hockey in his young career.  On December 28th, shortly after Team USA finished getting drubbed by upstart Finland, 4-1, Prince began a torrid offensive pace that would see him produce 14 goals and 13 assists over the next 14 games. He would do it with authority too, managing seven multipoint games and being held off the scoresheet only once during the stretch. His pace would be the most prolific of any OHL player during the month of January, producing 10 goals and 11 assists in nine games dating from January 8th to the 29th. Why such a prolific offensive player would be left off the Team USA roster remains unclear, though there is ample speculation his absence from the roster was for political reasons, as he opted to play in Canadian Major Juniors rather than with USA Hockey.”  They also mention David Rundblad dominating in the AHL (6-3-4-7).

February 3, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

–Don Brennan believes the Sens have made themselves a target for officials, “Have the Senators been getting jammed by the referees ever since coach Paul MacLean told reporters O’Rourke declared Erik Karlsson guilty of embellishment? Yes. Is it a coincidence that there’s been controversial calls or non-calls favouring the opposition in each of their next three games, all losses? Not likely. Members of the officiating fraternity have each other’s back.”  The Sens themselves are dismissing the notion.  For an interesting look at the Boston game in particular check out Kerry Fraser‘s column (he argues the only missed call against Boston was Milan Lucic‘s boarding of Erik Condra).  Ken Warren says NHL director of officiating Terry Gregson spoke to both Paul MacLean and Dan O’Rourke following the Anaheim game.

–Joy Lindsay Tweets Binghamton’s lines at practice: Klinkhammer-Locke-Downing, Hoffman-Da Costa-O’Brien (Lessard), Dziurzynski-Cannone-Petersson, Cowick-Hamilton-Bartlett (Grant).  Mike McKenna is expected to start tomorrow.

-Joy also reports that Andre Petersson was named AHL rookie of the month; he had 15 points in 8 games.

-Elmira lost 4-1 last night, with Brian Stewart taking the loss; Louie Caporusso was not dressed (I assume he’s injured)

-I missed the CHL Top Prospects Game last night, with Team Orr beating Team Cherry 2-1.  Branden Troock, Griffin Reinhart, and Dillon Fournier scored the goals.  Troock and Matthew Murray were named players of the game.

-Continuing my look at top-prospects from junior leagues, this time from Europe (in some cases there isn’t significant enough performance to list blueliners as fully):

SEL
Pontus Aberg (Djurgarden) 35-7-7-14
John Norman (Djurgarden) 43-4-10-14
Jonas Hari (MODO) 25-4-6-10
Joel Mustonen (Timra) 22-2-3-5
Konstantin Komarek (Lulea) 38-2-3-5

Niclas Burstrom (Skelleftea) 40-5-4-9
Oscar Fantenberg (HV71) 37-3-4-7
Rasmus Edstrom (Skelleftea) 29-2-5-7
Nils Andersson (Vaxjo) 38-1-6-7
Daniel Gunnarsson (D-Lulea) 38-2-3-5

SM-Liiga
Julius Junttila (Karpat) 42-12-11-23
Jesse Mankinen (SaiPa) 44-12-8-20
Aleksander Barkov (Tappara) 31-7-9-16
Charles Bertrand (Lukko) 40-9-6-15
Teemu Rautiainen (HPK) 34-3-8-11

Rasmus Ristolainen (TPS) 33-3-4-7
Simo-Pekka Riikola (KalPa) 20-1-4-5
Joonas Liimatainen (Tappara) 26-1-4-5
Lauri Karmeniemi (HPK) 34-1-4-5
Otto Raty (Tappara) 21-0-5-5

NLA
Inti Pestoni (Ambri-Piotta) 35-10-15-25
Joel Vermin (Bern) 27-9-8-17
Ronalds Kenins (ZSC) 43-5-12-17
Christoph Bertschy (Bern) 25-8-7-15
Reto Schappi (ZSC) 38-5-6-11

Romain Loeffel (Gotteron) 43-5-11-16
Anthony Huguenin (Biel) 44-0-14-14
Samuel Erni (Zug) 42-1-7-8

KHL
Artemi Panarin (Vityaz) 38-12-14-26
Nikita Tochitsky (Vityaz) 39-6-8-14
Anton Burdasov (Traktor) 45-6-6-12
Filipp Savchenko (Avtomobilist) 31-4-7-11
Sergei Kalinin (Avangard) 40-4-6-10

Roman Kudinov (Vityaz) 21-1-4-5

DEL
Laurin Braun (Berlin) 38-8-12-20
Yasin Ehliz (Nurnberg) 29-3-4-7
Bjorn Krupp (D-Kolner) 41-0-7-7
Matthias Plachta (Mannheim) 38-4-2-6
Bernhard Keil (Straubing) 35-1-5-6

Extraliga (Czech)
Tomas Rachunek (HC Sparta) 45-10-8-18
Tomas Hertl (HC Slavia) 30-9-9-18
Jakub Orsava (HC Trinec) 43-8-7-15
Petr Holik (HC Zlin) 40-9-5-14
Michal Bulir (Bili Tygri) 39-5-5-10

Jakub Krejcik (HC Slavia) 44-2-7-9
Petr Zamorsky (HC Zlin) 30-1-4-5
Jakub Jerabek (HC Plzen) 27-1-3-4
Petr Kousalik (HC Litvinov) 41-0-4-4

Extraliga (Slovak)
Michael Vandas (Poprad) 34-9-23-32
Andrej Stastny (Trencin) 42-7-17-24
Tomas Hrnka (Nitra) 44-10-10-20
Miroslav Priesinger (Bratislava) 42-4-11-15
Martin Sobota (Martin) 42-7-6-13

Lukas Kozak (Martin) 39-2-8-10
Peter Hrasko (Zvolen) 44-2-6-8
Henrich Jabornik (Skalica) 31-1-4-5

Allsvenskan (Swedish minor league)
Marcus Nilsson (Bofors) 41-6-20-26
Adam Pettersson (Sundsvall) 42-9-14-23
Victor Backman (Boras) 34-8-12-20
Markus Ljungh (Vasteras) 41-6-13-19
Markus Kinisjarvi (Vasteras) 39-7-9-16

Jesper Jensen (Rogle) 39-4-11-15
Linus Hultstrom (Oskarshamn) 36-5-9-14
Victor Berglind (Sundsvall) 21-1-7-8

Mestis (Finnish minor league)
Jesper Piitulainen (Jukurit) 39-16-22-38
Juho Iloviita (TuTo) 39-9-12-21
Joni Happola (Peliitat) 36-4-17-21
Oula Palve (JYP-Akatemia) 37-10-7-17
Joonas Sammalmaa (JYP-Akatemia), Joni Karjalainen (Hokki), and Miika Roine (JYP-Akatemia) are all tied with 15-points

Aleksi Salonen (JYP-Akatemia) 37-5-8-13
Markus Vastila (LeKi) 35-5-5-10
Miihkali Teppo (Kiekko-Vantaa) 23-3-7-10
Nico Manelius (Kiekko-Vantaa) 23-2-8-10
Miro Hovinen (Kiekko-Vantaa), Ville Pokka (Kiekko-Laser), and Samuli Kankaanpera (JYP-Akatemia) are all tied with 8-points

SuperElit (Swedish junior league)
Tim Werner (Orebro) 20-25-12-37
Charlie Hellstrom (Orebro) 19-15-21-36
Victor Lindman (Valbo) 12-11-34-45
Joakim Axman (Valbo) 14-20-11-35
David Gothlin (Bofors) 11-13-17-30

David Berg (Orebro) 20-6-25-31
Alexander Tyreskog (Jarfalla) 17-8-13-21
Hampus Gustavsson (Orebro) 20-3-15-18
Maximilian Sundqvist (Falu) 17-4-12-16
Sebastien Forslund (Sollentuna) 14-8-7-15

High perfomers in other leagues (NLB, Erste Bank Liga, Bundesliga, Al-Bank Liga, and Get Ligaen)
Mats Rosseli Olsen (GL) 35-17-30-47
Adam Havlik (EBL) 42-14-18-32
Marco Pedretti (NLB) 35-12-19-31
Thomas Spelling (ABL) 27-16-14-30
Patrick Bjorkstrand (ABL) 30-7-21-28

Ryan Kavanagh (EBL) 28-7-10-17
Nicolai Bryhnisveen (GL) 36-6-11-17
Daniel Eigenmann (NLB) 35-5-12-17

February 2, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

-I’m not  a Sidney Crosby fan, but I’m praying for his recovery so news about his health will stop dominating the news cycle

–Daniel Alfredsson summed up last night’s effort, “We’ve got to be happy overall. They scored two power-play goals. I thought 5-on-5, we were the better team and it’s frustrating to lose this one. I don’t know how we don’t win it. (When we were ahead 3-1), we just couldn’t get that next goal really separating us from them.”

–Ian Mendes reminds us that the Sens have given up the first goal for the last eight straight games (3-5-0)

-With the approaching trade deadline many rumours (both serious and ridiculous) are floating around.  A few of the serious ones involve Jeff Carter (link), Marek Zidlicky (link), and Tuomo Ruutu (link).  As I’ve said previously (eg link) I don’t see the point in Ottawa acquiring a rental, particularly if this is typical of the crop of players available.  The Sens don’t have a realistic chance to make a deep run into the playoffs and are better off continuing the rebuild.

–Brian Stewart has been returned to Elmira

-Here’s a look at the top-scoring undrafted players (forwards and blueliners) in the major North American junior leagues:

OHL
Tanner Pearson (Barrie) 39-30-43-73
Charles Sarault (Sarnia) 46-15-52-67
Seth Griffith (London) 46-34-31-65
Sean Monaghan (Ottawa) 39-26-35-61
Andrew Agozzino (Niagara) 46-29-30-59

Cody Ceci (Ottawa) 44-10-34-44
Beau Schmitz (Plymouth) 46-12-25-37
Adrian Robertson (Sarnia) 47-9-28-37
Matt Petgrave (Oshawa) 43-8-24-32
Matt Finn (Guelph), Dylan Blujus (Brampton), and Kyle Hope (Owen Sound) are all tied with 30 points

QMJHL
Yanni Gourde (Victoriaville) 51-27-64-91
Zach O’Brien (Acadie) 50-45-43-88
Sebastian Trudeau (Acadie) 51-22-60-82
Matthew Bissonnette (Acadie) 50-35-38-73
Ben Duffy (PEI) 49-28-39-67

Mathieu Brisebois (Rouyn) 49-14-30-44
Mathieu Gagnon (Chicoutimi) 46-6-36-42
Martin Lefebvre (Quebec) 48-10-31-41
Alex Micallef (Blainville) 50-13-21-34
Mikael Tam (Quebec) 49-14-19-33

WHL
Adam Hughesman (Tri-City) 46-29-43-72
Brendan Shinnimin (Tri-City) 43-27-44-71
Dylan Wruck (Edmonton) 51-18-46-64
Justin Maylan (Prince Albert) 47-20-41-61
Hunter Shinkaruk (Medicine Hat) 48-32-26-58

Ryan Pulock (Brandon) 51-12-33-45
Eric Roy (Brandon) 49-7-32-39
Dalton Thrower (Saskatoon) 48-12-26-38
Matthew Konan (Medicine Hat) 48-7-29-36
Collin Bowman (Calgary) 47-12-23-35

BCHL
Paul De Jersey (Prince George) 44-37-41-78
Wade Murphy (Penticton) 45-29-46-75
Connor Reilly (Penticton) 45-32-40-72
Joey Benik (Penticton) 45-21-49-70
Travis St. Denis (Penticton) 39-28-41-69

Graeme McCormack (Nanaimo) 44-10-36-46
Craig Dalrymple (Powell) 44-19-26-45
Clinton Atkinson (Coquitlam) 44-5-38-43
Ben Woodley (Prince George) 44-3-29-32
Troy Stecher (Penticton) 39-4-27-31

USHL
Kevin Roy (Lincoln) 36-29-26-55
Austin Farley (Fargo) 37-24-24-48
Daniil Tarasov (Indiana) 36-24-23-47
Nolan LaPorte (Green Bay) 36-23-21-44
Taylor Cammarata (Waterloo) 34-18-22-40

Jordan Schmaltz (Green Bay) 32-9-16-25
Nolan Zajac (Omaha) 37-5-18-23
Greg Amlong (Cedar Rapids) 35-8-14-22
Markus Lauridsen (Green Bay) 37-5-17-22
Ralfs Freibergs (Lincoln) 36-7-14-21

NCAA
Nick Sorkin (New Hampshire) 25-6-21-27
Conor Sheary (U. Massachusetts) 24-8-18-26
Daniel Carr (Union College) 27-12-13-25
Daniel Bahntge (Mercyhurst) 28-8-17-25
Shane Berschbach (Western Michigan) 26-7-17-24

Joey LaLeggia (U. Denver) 26-10-18-28
Nate Schmidt (U. Minnesota) 29-2-25-27
Frankie Simonelli (U. Wisconsin) 26-3-19-22
Andrew Prochno (St. Cloud) 27-4-17-21
Torey Krug (Michigan State) 27-6-13-19

February 1, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment