Sens vs. Ads Playoff Articles: Analysis: It's talent level vs. work ethic
April 14, 2004

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

Analysis: It's talent level vs. work ethic

B-Sens have the edge in personnel, but Admirals work, work, work

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Normally, saying a hockey team "works hard" is akin to setting up a friend on a blind date with someone who "has a great personality." It's a compliment made to hide cosmetic flaws.

But there isn't a more accurate way of describing the Norfolk Admirals, who open a best-of-three qualifying round playoff series with the Binghamton Senators tonight in the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

And the Senators know it.

"They're one of the hardest-working teams you're going to come across," B-Sens defenseman Steve Bancroft said. "They might not have as much skill or score as many goals as a lot of other teams, but afterward, you'll know you were in a game."

Hard work and good coaching, more than anything, are what got the Admirals here. They scored fewer goals than all but two AHL playoff teams (Providence and Portland), but coach Trent Yawney routinely has them prepared and in position to win.

The Admirals won five of eight regular-season meetings with the Senators, including two shutouts at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. And while the Senators are more talented, the Admirals have been beating more talented clubs all season.

Here is a breakdown of the match-up, starting with the position that matters most this time of year.

GOALIES

By now, the greatest challenge facing two-time AHL all-star Ray Emery is finding the motivation to get up for games in a league he has all but mastered.

The playoffs are just what he needs.

Last spring, Emery saved his biggest saves for the biggest games, stealing the conference semifinals from Bridgeport. He is coming off a sophomore season that, statistically, wasn't as strong as his first, but these Senators weren't as good either.

Yawney hasn't revealed the identity of his starter, saying he could "flip a coin" to decide if Michael Leighton or Craig Anderson will be in net (Leighton played the last two regular-season games and took more shots in practice Tuesday). It hardly matters since both are prospects and both have blanked the Senators once this season.

Emery has won two playoffs series, or one more than Leighton and Anderson combined and is the better money goalie, even with a bum right wrist that will require off-season surgery.

Edge: Senators.

DEFENSEMEN

Julien Vauclair became an all-star, Bancroft an 80-game ironmen, and Andy Hedlund and Peter Smrek held up well and late-season acquisition John Jakopin made the Senators' deeper.

Still, this remains their weakest link.

The Senators never found the puck-rushing defenseman they craved, so breaking out of the defensive zone became a recurring problem. They allowed an average of 31.7 shots per game and 35 or more in 10 of their last 15 games, far too many in a league in which goals are scarce.

By contrast, the Admirals yielded an AHL-low average of 24.7 shots per game. They are led by veterans Marty Wilford and Burke Henry, and rookies Lasse Kukkonen and Anton Babchuk have been consistent. Babchuk, 19, is the Chicago Blackhawks' top prospect.

The only question is whether the kids can handle postseason pressure. It says here they will do fine.

Edge: Admirals.

FORWARDS

The loss of winger Brad Tapper (concussion) for the balance of the playoffs robs the Senators of their fastest skater, but they should still have enough to generate offense, especially with point-per-game winger Josh Langfeld's return from Ottawa.

Leading scorer Denis Hamel (29 goals, 67 points) is fully recovered from the facial injury he suffered 10 nights ago in Philadelphia and fully adjusted to the bars that have been attached to his helmet ever since, and center Charlie Stephens closed the season with four goals and five assists in six games.

But captain Chris Kelly had just one assist in eight games since returning from a broken kneecap, and winger Cory Pecker had one goal in the last 10 games. In Tapper's absence, both need to be better.

The Admirals have a full complement of forwards, including effective rookie Matt Ellison. But captain Ajay Baines' 15 goals and 42 points were enough to lead them. Enough said.

Edge: Senators.

COACHES

Yawney, the only AHL coach who works without an assistant, did a magnificent job, especially in the second half of the season when rumors of the franchise leaving Norfolk next season could have been a distraction.

But Senators coach John Paddock is the dean of AHL coaches with the third-most career wins (495) and three Calder Cups.

Edge: Senators.

PREDICTION

Series that are this short are unpredictable enough without having to play them on the road. Home-ice advantage will be a big advantage for the Senators. It won't be easy (nothing is for this team), but the Senators will survive.

Senators in three games.