HOUSTON, Texas – The Binghamton Senators are making it look easy to get to the Calder Cup finals. They may have come into the AHL playoffs as underdogs, but they didn’t stay that way for long. After sweeping the formidable Charlotte Checkers in round 3, the Senators face off against the Houston Aeros for the cup the same way they’ve started every series: On the road. Meanwhile, the Aeros are just 3 days removed from a tough, emotional series win over Hamilton. After starting the series with a three game lead, then being blown out 8-1 in game four, the Aeros clawed their way back to squeak past the Bulldogs in game 7. For as many similarities as the two teams have, they come into the series in completely different states of being: Binghamton is rested, maybe too rested, but as confident as a team can be. Houston is less rested, but not rusty, and have fresh confidence in their ability to overcome adversity. Offense Both teams have found consistent offense in the latter parts of the season, but Binghamton has found a lot more of it per game. To be exact, the Senators have put up an entire goal per game more than Houston in the playoffs. They also boast 5 skaters with a point per game or more, while Houston has none. However, both teams have 10 currently-healthy players with at least .5 goals per game. Both teams picked up mid-season additions–the Minnesota Wild waived Patrick O’Sullivan to Houston and the Ottawa Senators traded for Ryan Potulny. Both players found instant chemistry in offensive systems that were already somewhat successful, but became exponentially more so with the addition of elite talent. But no matter how you spin it, a team with a scoring machine like Corey Locke on the third line is a legitimate offensive powerhouse. And if the Aeros’ struggles with turnovers continue, it should be even easier for Binghamton to rack up goals. Like Hamilton, they feast on turnovers and have plenty of offensive touch to convert on them. Edge: Binghamton Defense Porousness by the Binghamton defense has been a vulnerable point all season and their goalies see a lot of shots, 36 per game on average so far in the playoffs. While Houston has allowed, on average, only 26 shots per game in the playoffs, the two teams have identical goals allowed stats. That speaks somewhat to goaltending but also somewhat to the types of chances the defense is allowing on net. Offensively, the teams have similar defensive make-ups, with a good balance of scoring prowess from guys like Andre Benoit for Binghamton and Max Noreau for Houston. Edge: Even Goaltending Both teams have rookie goalies in the #1 spot, both of whom have had their ups and downs over the season. Binghamton veteran Barry Brust got the team into the playoffs, but was injured during the first round of the playoffs. Since then, Robin Lehner has taken over the net and been steady, with a 2.41 GAA and 0.932 save percentage. With an offense like Binghamton’s, even a bad night in goal can be salvaged at the other end of the ice, so that has to provide comfort and confidence to the team’s netminders. Matt Hackett has been Houston’s starting goalie since the Wild traded Anton Khudobin to Boston at the deadline. Like many rookies, consistency is his Achilles heel, but he’s a sound technical goalie who is learning quickly to stay cool in pressure situations. Binghamton has better depth at goal with Brust in the wings and Lehner has a slight edge on Hackett in terms of success, even though he’s younger. Edge: Binghamton Special Teams Binghamton is marginally better on the power play and the teams are nearly identical on the penalty kill, but the number to look at is shorthanded goals for and allowed. The Senators have 5 shorthanded goals in the playoffs, while the Aeros have none, but have allowed four. Count on Binghamton to try and create chances for themselves if the Aeros aren’t crisp and focused on the power play. Edge: Binghamton Overall The Aeros get superb coaching from rookie head coach Mike Yeo and they are a grittier team, more apt to dish out punishment than Binghamton. That much skill at forward generally doesn’t come in the same bodies that relish in finishing checks. So the Aeros willingness to suffer, and cause suffering, in the name of puck possession could take some adjustment for Binghamton. And Houston’s home ice advantage could come into play if they can take the first two home games and bring the series back to Houston. But the Aeros simply cannot allow the turnovers that plagued them in the Hamilton series. Every line on the Binghamton roster has the ability to make them pay for mistakes. And unlike Hamilton, they also have the skill to score plenty without Houston making any mistakes at all. Prediction: Binghamton in 5 Contact Heather.Galindo@prohockeynews.com
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