Parrish Named Captain

NHL veteran Mark Parrish has been named captain of the Binghamton Senators it has been announced. It seems like a good choice to me to replace former captain Ryan Keller, who has just been called up to the NHL by the Edmonton Oilers.

Filatov Set For Bingo Debut

Nikita Filatov in B-Sens gear courtesy of Joy Lindsay

That is your first look at Nikita Filatov as a member of the Binghamton Senators at practice today. He apparently will wear #15 and he will play on the top line with Corely Locke and Kaspars Daugavins. He should get a lot of minutes down there with Bingo playing 3 games in 3 nights. Follow @PSBJoyOnTheSens for all your B-Sens news.

In other really weird and random news, Pete over at Silver Seven pointed out that former Hab and then Sabres captain Craig Rivet, will make his debut tonight for the Sens ECHL affiliate in Elmira. Weird that he would fall so fast and weirder that he would want to keep playing in the ECHL with all the money he's made. There must be a lot more to this story than we know.

Conboy Signs

The Sens continued their non stop depth signings for Binghamton, this time inking Tom Conboy to a 1 year, 2 way deal. He spent last season playing in the Buffalo organization for the Portland Pirates, scoring 12 points in 70 games in the AHL.

Thoughts?

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Sens Ink Sweatt

Lee Sweatt in action for Vancouver

The Senators have signed defenceman Lee Sweatt to a two year, 2 way deal this afternoon. Sweatt spent last season in the Vancouver organization, playing 41 games for the Manitoba Moose, where he recorded 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points. The 25 year old, who was undrafted, has also spent time playing in the KHL in Russia, as well as in Finland. Seems to be another depth move for Binghamton.

Thoughts?

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Keller Wins Performance Of The Playoffs

Binghamton Senators captain Ryan Keller hoisting the Calder Cup

The awards just keep rolling in for the B-Sens after their Calder Cup Championship a week ago. This time the glory is going to captain Ryan Keller, who today was named the winner of  the reGen™ Muscle Recovery Beverage/AHL Performance of the Playoffs award for the 2011 Calder Cup postseason. Congrats on the much deserved award for captain Keller.

Thoughts?

Your Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin Front Page

This was the headline and front page of the Binghamton newspaper, the Press & Sun Bulletin, the day after the B-Sens took home the AHL championship. The picture features Captain Ryan Keller lifting the Calder Cup trophy. For all you big fans out there, add it to your scrap book of Sens history.

Thoughts?

Your 2010-11 AHL Champions



The Binghamton Senators celebrate their first ever AHL Championship



Just moments ago, our very own Binghamton Senators won the 2010-11 Calder Cup as champions of the American Hockey League, winning the series in 6 games after a 3-2 win tonight. Robin Lehner was named playoff MVP and Ryan Keller had the game winning goal. An amazing end to a fantastic season for the B-Sens. Congrats to the team, , the coaching staff, the city of Binghamton, all the fans, Binghamton fans in Ottawa and B-Sens beat writer Joy Lindsay. It appears the future may be bright in Ottawa sooner than we may have thought.

Thoughts on the championship?

Binghamton Game 6 Reminder

Just a reminder that game 6 of the Calder Cup Final is tonight is Houston. With a win, the B-Sens can wrap up their first ever Calder Cup championship. The game is on Sportsnet Sens at 8:05pm. I hope everyone tunes in and supports the youngsters.

Thoughts on game 6?

Did Anyone Else Notice.......

So I'm watching game 5 of the Calder Cup Final last night and during the 3rd period, the B-Sens take the lead, 3-2 and everyone is going nuts as you can imagine. Then the broadcast cuts to some random fan in the stands, who proceeds to do his best D-Generation X  impression and do the famous crotch chop from the WWE  crew, and then for good measure, adds a big FU gesture just in case you didn't already think he was a douchebag yet. I thought it was funny in a lame way, so I ask the question....was I the only one who noticed this?

Bingo Wins Back To Back

The Binghamton Senators are now just one win away from winning the Calder Cup, after beating Houston for the 2nd time in 2 days, taking game 5 in Bingo 4-2. Zach Smith was the standout player for me, and Robin Lehner got the job done when he needed to. With the victory, the B-Sens are now leading the series 3-2 heading back to Houston, and need one more win to complete the dream season.

Thoughts?

B-Sens Earn Split In Big Tex

After dropping game 1 in Houston, the B-Sens needed to rebound and get a split heading home to New York. They took care of business in game 2 and won 2-1 in OT, with Jim O'Brien potting the winner in extra time at the Toyota Center. Game 3 goes Wednesday in Binghamton.

Thoughts?

B-Sens Drop Opener In Texas

The Binghamton Senators' Calder Cup fnal debut didn't go as planned, dropping the first game 3-1 in Houston tonight. They played tough and hard, even jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Bobby Butler, but it wasn't meant to be, surrending 3 in the 3rd, even if one was an empty netter, won't get it done at this stage of the playoffs.

I watched the majority of the game, and to me, it looked like the long layoff and travelling had taken a toll on the B-Sens. They just didn't look as sharp as they should have been, and even then still had a chance to steal the opener. This snaps their 8 game road win streak during the playoffs.

Game 2 is tomorrow night at 8:35pm eastern, where the B-Sens hope to tie the series up at one apiece.

Thoughts on the game?

The Definitive Calder Cup Final Preview

With the Binghamton Senators involved in the Calder Cup Final for the first time in franchise history, combined with our lousy season here in Ottawa and all the crossover players, interest in the farm team from the Capital is at an all time high. Tonight at 8:35pm in Houston, Texas, the series will get underway with game 1 from the Toyota Center. I know many of you don't follow the AHL very closely, so I've put together the cliff's notes version of everything you need to know to follow the big series.

-First up is a 17 page, yes 17, page packet from the AHL about literally almost everything you could possibly hope to know about either team and the matchup itself. Very informative and if you have the time, I recommend reading it. It doesn't actually take that long.

-Next up is a nice story line you're likely unaware of. The starting goalie for each team is a rookie and they faced off in the OHL playoffs last year. The rivalry continues, with much bigger stakes.

-For some ridiculous reason, at least as I write this, the games will NOT be available on TV in Ottawa. The Senators should have tried to do something or at least put it on their Sens TV channel. The games are on TV in Binghamton if you were wondering, if you live there, or if you know how to work satelite magic. Things could change though last minute, I've heard rumors of the NHL Network covering it, but no official word yet.

-So for now it appears the only option to watch if you're not in Binghamton is online, where you will be able to see the games, but it will cost you, speficially $12.99 a game or $64.99 for the whole series, which seems exceedingly steep when you can buy the best seats to see the games live in Bingo for $68 for all 3 games being played there. So if you're a big fan, that's an option for you.

-If you want to listen to the games on the radio, the Team 1200 is your option as they have been the whole playoffs. You can also listen to the game online by clicking here at game time.

-In case you didn't know yet, the Houston Aeros are the farm team of the Minnesota Wild.

-If you were wondering what the temperature will be down in Texas for game time tonight, it will be a balmy 92 farenheit, which is over 33 celsius. Pretty ridiculous for that time of night isn't it in May.

-Now on to the beat writers of the two teams. First off Sens Town buddy Joy Lindsay, who works the beat for the B-Sens and does an amazing job. I'd venture to say she does a better job covering Binghamton than most guys here cover the Sens. To see her blog that she updates a lot click here and to follow her on twitter click here. Next up is the Houston perspective via the Houston Chronicle and Andrew Ferarro (no he isn't related to Ray, I'm sure he hears that never in Houston). To follow him on twitter click here.

-For those of you who haven't seen the full schedule for the final yet, don't worry, I've got you. Please remember all times are eastern.

• Game 1 – Fri., May 27 – Binghamton at Houston, 8:35
• Game 2 – Sat., May 28 – Binghamton at Houston, 8:35
• Game 3 – Wed., June 1 – Houston at Binghamton, 7:05
• Game 4 – Fri., June 3 – Houston at Binghamton, 7:05
• *Game 5 – Sat., June 4 – Houston at Binghamton, 7:05
• *Game 6 – Tue., June 7 – Binghamton at Houston, 8:05
• *Game 7 – Thu., June 9 – Binghamton at Houston, 8:05
• *if necessary

-In another weird twist, neither team even made the playoffs in 2010, yet both find themselves in the final. Also note that neither teams NHL club made the post season either.

-For those of you on twitter, here is a list of some people you may want to follow for some good times and good information:

• Not to toot my own horn, but I'm up first, follow me if you're not already @SensTown
• The official Binghamton Senators twitter @BSens_Hockey
• Patrick Williams, who covers the AHL for The Hockey News @AHLReport
• The official Houston Aeros twitter @Houston_Aeros
• The official AHL twitter @TheAHL

Thoughts on the series?

The Trophy Is In The Building

Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan with the Calder Cup

The Calder Cup trophy made it's way to Binghamton, NY today for all of the B-Sens fans to see. Here is the cup pictured with Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan, no not the Atlanta quarterback. Interesting to see that the Calder travels with it's on attendant with white gloves like Lord Stanley does. The final starts Friday night in Houston, Texas.

Is everyone getting excited for the series?

Cowen Looks Right At Home

Shoutout to Sens prospect Jared Cowen, who recorded his first AHL point in last night's series clinching win over Portland on his very first AHL shift. Not a bad to start your pro career off. Respect! In case you were wondering, Cowen wears #4 for Bingo instead of his usual #2, since that digit is being used already by Eric Gryba.

Thoughts on Cowens debut?

Bass Named Man Of The Year

Cody Bass wins Yanick Dupre Award as AHL's 2011 Man Of The Year

Since there has been non stop Sens news as of late, what's one more story right? Well today's news is a very positive one, as Cody Bass has been named the AHL's 2011 Man Of The Year, for all of his philanthropy work this season after the Daron Richardson tragedy. Congratulation goes out to Cody for winning the Yanick Dupre award. As a reward, the Senators have called him up to play this afternoon in Boston for the last game of the year. It will be his first game back in the NHL since 2008.

Congratulations to Cody for all his great work.

Thoughts?