Senators Articles: B-Sens confident with Thompson starting in goal
March 31, 2004

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

B-Sens confident with Thompson starting in goal

Emery's callup may be extended

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Fans clamoring for rookie goalie Billy Thompson to start more games down the stretch for the Binghamton Senators just might get their wish this weekend.

Senators coach John Paddock said Tuesday it is a "very real possibility" that Thompson will start pivotal back-to-back games Friday and Saturday nights in Norfolk because two-time AHL all-star Ray Emery could still be with Ottawa filling in for injured goalie Patrick Lalime.

And the Senators are perfectly comfortable with that scenario.

"How can we not be?" winger Denis Hamel said. "Look at how Billy has been playing. It sounds funny, but he even looks quicker. We don't know yet who will be in net, but no matter who it is, we'll be happy."

A groundswell has been building for Thompson to play more often, particularly among fans who watched him stop 74 of 75 shots in his last two home games.

Thompson, 21, is 4-1-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in his last six starts overall, and after working with him in practice the last two days, Ottawa goalie coach Phil Myre said he sees a steady improvement in the goalie's technique and confidence.

"Billy has progressed really well since the beginning of the year when we weren't sure whether he would even play here," Myre said. "His movement, his speed and his skill level have all improved, and consequently, his confidence is higher. You can see it in his body language."

The Senators won't gamble with Lalime's sprained left knee, so if he can't play Friday night in Philadelphia, Emery will remain with Ottawa and Thompson will need to be at his best for Binghamton to leapfrog fourth-place Norfolk in the tight East Division.

"I've got to be ready and focused, even if I don't play," Thompson said. "But these are fun games to play. These are the games that mean the most. It's been a good year for me to get better. I feel good right now, and my confidence has been building."

The Senators appeared to have lost confidence in Thompson in mid-January when, by his own admission, he was allowing too many soft goals. He started just twice in 20 games from Jan. 24 through March 3, and Paddock said the team would "live and die" with Emery.

But Thompson has been excellent since Emery earned a five-game AHL suspension earlier this month.

"He responded really well (after Emery's suspension), and if he didn't respond the way he did, we probably wouldn't be in the playoff hunt here," Myre said. "I was really concerned he wouldn't get into enough games this season, but he's played more than I anticipated. He's made himself better even though there were times he didn't play on a regular basis."

Added Paddock, "It's not a big concern based on how Billy has played. I thought he had a chance in January (when Emery was injured), and he didn't grab the bull by the horns. But he has taken advantage when he's had an opportunity lately, and we feel good with him in there."

HYMOVITZ WINS AWARD AGAIN

For the second straight season, winger David Hymovitz has been named the Senators' winner of the AHL Man of the Year award for his charitable contributions to the community. He is one of 28 finalists for the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, given to the league's man of the year.

Hymovitz, 29, led the Senators' holiday fundraiser for the Day Nursery Association, participated in a blood drive for the local chapter of the American Red Cross, read books with elementary school students and arranged trips to Hillel Academy, a Jewish day school in the Southern Tier.

The Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be presented during the Calder Cup Finals.