-Ottawa faces Toronto (11-7-0) tonight; the Leafs are lead by James Van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel (15 points) and backstopped by Ben Scrivens (5-4-0 2.10 .931). Ben Bishop is expected to get the start. Jim O’Brien and Mike Lundin are expected to play while Andre Benoit will sit (the latter choice seems pretty arbitrary).
-Binghamton beat Hershey 5-4 in a shootout after losing a 3-1 lead (and Nathan Lawson). Darren Kramer (his first AHL goal), Wacey Hamilton (his first of the year), Cole Schneider, and Dustin Gazley (his first AHL goal) scored the goals, while Stephane Da Costa and Louie Caporusso scored in the shootout. Here is the boxscore and the highlights.
-Binghamton faces Albany (20-19-10) tonight; the Devils are lead by Matt Anderson (29 points) and backstopped by Keith Kinkaid (16-11-5 2.65 .906). With the injury to Lawson Binghamton signed Ian Keserich (3-1-0 2.40 .929 ECHL) to a PTO.
–Hockey’s Future believes Stefan Noesen is currently one of the disappointments among prospects writing:
Stefan Noesen has not been the same player since he was suspended for 10 games in mid-December for a brutal hit on Tyler Hore. The incident took place just before Noesen was scheduled to leave for Russia to represent the United States at the World Junior Championship, and as a result, the IIHF barred Noesen from participating in the event. Noesen, in the end, would miss over a month of hockey and upon his return, was a much less effective player. Having totaled 17 goals in his first 26 games, Noesen has only four goals in 14 games since his return, including a 12 game goalless drought. Furthermore he has not been as consistently effective at both ends of the ice as he was in the past, showing lots of rust. Though his streaky play in the last two months is concerning, there are signs Noesen has started to regain his rhythm. He appears to have shaken off some of the rust, managing four goals and eight points in his last three games, but has also played with more confidence and authority. Noesen will have to continue to balance his game, as he is much more effective when he is plays with an edge. Expect him to join the Senators organization upon the conclusion of his junior season.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
eyeonthesens 