Senators Artcles: Sens, Pens feud over 'whiteout'
April 27, 2005

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Scott Lauber of Press Connects.com

Sens, Pens feud over 'whiteout'

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Whether they like it or not, the Wilkes-

Barre/Scranton Penguins will be back in black tonight.

Prior to Game 3 of the East Division semifinals Monday night, the Binghamton Senators agreed to allow the Penguins to wear their road white sweaters at home as part of a "whiteout" promotion. But for Game 4, the Senators are insisting the Penguins wear their regular home sweaters.

"We're dealing with a coaching staff that thinks it's more important to play head games with our players and coaches than to show respect for our fans who want to have a whiteout to support the team," Penguins chief executive officer Jeff Barrett told the Citizens Voice of Wilkes-Barre.

"I think it's ridiculous for them to be worrying about things like that when they should be looking at what's good for the game and good for our fans."

Senators executive vice president Tom Mitchell said the "whiteout" arrangement never included Game 4. The Senators lost Game 3, 3-2, in triple overtime Monday night.

"We talked about this before the series started," Mitchell said. "They asked us if we wouldn't mind cooperating, and we said we'll cave in for one night. We allowed them to wear have their whiteout in Game 3. We're wearing our whites (tonight), and that's all there is to it."

LESS ISN'T MORE

Among the suggestions for how to make the NHL more exciting is to reduce the size of rosters. Remove one or two forwards, proponents say, and it will allow the best players to log additional ice time, thereby generating more offense.

Senators coach Dave Cameron isn't so sure.

The Senators and Penguins rolled primarily three lines in Game 3. But after the game was tied with 4:49 left in the second period, neither team scored until 12:26 of the third overtime, a scoreless streak of 57:15.

"You see how both teams shortened their bench, and were there really more offensive chances?" Cameron asked Tuesday."

Cameron also attributed the close-to-the-vest play to the game's high stakes. Had the Penguins lost, they would've been one game from elimination in the best-of-seven series.

AFFILIATION CHANGE

The Hershey Bears have agreed to a partnership with the Washington Capitals beginning next season, leaving the Portland Pirates without an NHL team. Portland and Washington were paired since the 1993-94 season.

The Colorado Avalanche, which is leaving Hershey, will send its minor leaguers to Lowell, Mass., where the Carolina Hurricanes already place their prospects.