Now THAT'S a goddamned hockey brawl.
 

Just when I'd written off the Phantoms for good... they try to pull me back in.

This past Sunday: Binghamton 5, Phantoms 1.
The real scoreboard: Phantoms: 210 PMs, 43 penalties, 10 game misconducts, Binghamton: 173 PMs, 38 penalties, 6 game misconducts.

The boxscore.

The recap.

The VIDEO CLIPS (warning: RealVideo), including Phantoms goalie Neil Little skating end-to-end and taking a flying leap onto the pile. Beautiful stuff.

If they'd do that kind of thing more often, I wouldn't CARE that Clarke's such an idiot...

[rant]deleted- lets just say that ain't old-time hockey[/rant]

Too bad the Phantoms can't play hockey. I'm not against an equal scrap in hockey- it has its place, but I dont much care for the goon squad. Embarassed 5-1 and going hunting. The Philly site is so sickingly homer, too. It cheapens the game. Oh well.

If you'd prefer the Binghamton point of view, it's here.

Despite how Clarke's gutted the franchise over the years, they're 18-12-4-1 so far this year -- not too bad. They're not racking up 1000+ PIMs because they can't win; they're winning in spite of playing traditional Philadelphia hockey (which is to say, spirited but dumb).

Philly has a lot of talent and is lucky to have Hitchcock to try and pull it together. They were rolling earlier in the year and could get it going again. There are a lot of Flyers I really like to watch- Simone Gagne is awesome. Suppastah JR, on the other hand...ugh. :)

So this is where the Charleston Chiefs finally landed, eh? How's Reg? Are the Hansons retired yet?

Americans Suck as Senators Sell Out
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- It never gets tired watching a dead-tired player get his second wind, so it's been downright refreshing lately to gaze upon Binghamton Senators rookie center Brooks Laich.

Two months ago, with the early stages of mononucleosis seeping into his body undetected, Laich was dragging so much his lower lip could've resurfaced the ice. These days, he has more energy than a battery bunny, and his two goals Saturday night lifted the Senators to a much-needed 3-1 victory over the Rochester Americans at a sold-out Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

"After watching him in training camp and in (early-season) practices, it's like people here haven't really seen him play yet," said goalie Ray Emery, who, in his first game back from a wrist injury, had a big hand in the victory with 22 saves, including nine in the third period. "He's definitely an NHL-quality player."

Laich, 20, considered the organization's top forward prospect, has four goals and five assists in 11 games since returning from a month-long bout with mono, which usually causes intense fatigue.

Mono cost Laich 10 games in his first pro season, but he's made up for lost time by centering the Senators' best line for the past three weeks. Playing between skilled wingers Alexandre Giroux and Brad Tapper, Laich fills the role of playmaker and is the line's best defensive player.

Against Rochester, he also showed he can score goals, taking a feed from Tapper and beating highly touted Amerks goalie Ryan Miller at 13:17 of the first period. After Rochester's Norm Milley tied the game at 14:17 of the second, Laich was credited with the go-ahead goal at 16:52 when the puck appeared to deflect of the skate of a Rochester player.

"I just told (Giroux) that I swear on my hockey career it went in off my stick," Laich said.

Laich should know better than to tempt fate, but that's how strong he's feeling lately.

"I feel like I have a change of speeds and a lot of energy," Laich said. "Finding another gear is a thing I've been working on. It's something Ottawa has wanted me to work on, and I definitely feel like I have another jump in my step."

It hasn't gone unnoticed, especially by coach John Paddock, back behind the bench after attending his father's funeral Thursday in Manitoba.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he had mono back in October," Paddock said. "I think it's a combination of things. He's healthy now, and he's playing with two guys in Taps and Alex that have great speed."

Charlie Stephens, acquired Friday for enforcer Dennis Bonvie, scored an empty-net goal with 1:26 left in regulation.

GREAT GAME! Too cold fer boozin though.