Senators Article: Big game puts big pressure on B-Sens, fans; 3-0 loss leaves playoff berth up in the air
April 10, 2004

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

Big game puts big pressure on B-Sens, fans

3-0 loss leaves playoff berth up in the air

BY SCOTT ROCKEFELLER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Even before the start of Friday night's Binghamton Senators home game against the Norfolk Admirals, a mix of excitement and nervousness flowed through Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Standing in the main lobby, one could hear the contrast of angst-filled heavy metal from inside the rink and relentlessly upbeat techno music playing outside.

With two regular-season games left, a Senators win Friday would ensure an American Hockey League playoff berth as well as home ice in a best-of-three qualifying series. A loss would throw both scenarios into jeopardy and put added pressure on the Senators to beat the playoff-bound Rochester Americans at home tonight.

"There's a lot of butterflies," Johnson City resident Jason Bernthon said. "It was tough sleeping last night."

His concerns were well founded: The Senators lost Friday's game, 3-0.

Bernthon said he has missed just six Senators home games, but wouldn't have dreamed of missing Friday's contest.

Johnson City resident Bob Barren, who wore an old Binghamton Rangers jersey to the game, said he would prefer to see the Senators start the playoffs at home, rather than having to travel to Norfolk or Hershey for as many as three games.

The Senators started Friday's game with a 21-12-2-3 record at home, compared to a less-impressive 13-21-6-0 while traveling.

"Tonight's the most important game of the season," said Barren, a season ticket-holder. "On the road, they don't have the greatest stats."

Friday night's crowd of 4,587 buzzed with excitement as the game started, banging thunder sticks and chanting "Let's go, Sens!"

A first-period goal by Norfolk deflated some of the crowd's energy. As the first period ended with the Senators down a goal, spectators refilled their beers and joked around with each other.

Perhaps the loudest fan reaction came in the second period, when two Norfolk players landed themselves in the penalty box within seconds of each other.

With barely 5 minutes left in the middle period and the Senators still down a goal, Chuck Mihalenko remained positive. As a fan of hockey, he was pleased to see a tense game, but as a Senators fan he wasn't crazy about his team being down.

"I'm still excited," the Vestal resident said. "They're a good team, and they can come back."