The Lockport Express returned after a long weekend in New Jersey with two blemishes on their record. The Jersey Shore Wildcats were able to reverse the tables on visiting Lockport with a pair of wins. The wins were the first of the season for the defending champions, and the losses were the first for Lockport. This upcoming weekend will be no easier for the Express as they travel to take on the division-leading Binghamton Junior Senators.
While the team name is new to the league as we’ve seen it over the last two seasons, the Junior Senators are no strangers. Formerly the Wilkes-Barre Miners, the team moved to Binghamton and changed their name. It brought a change of fortune for the team, too.
Last season, the Miners finished the season last in the West Division of the NA3EHL with 10 wins. Ultimately, they ranked 12th out of the 13 teams in the league. For most of the season, they were plagued with injuries and a short bench for many games. The result was a 20 point season and no playoff appearance.
This season, Binghamton has been strong out of the gate. They enter the game with Lockport this weekend on a 5-game win streak, and points in all six of their games so far. They lost in a shootout to the Skylands Kings on opening day. They lead the Northeast Division with 11 points.
“We need to come out with high intensity to make it tough on them at home. They will certainly want to remain undefeated in regulation so we have to play a mistake free game in order to beat them,” Express head coach Brian Becker explained.
Game times are 7:30pm Saturday evening, and 11:30am on Sunday morning. The Junior Senators will also be playing the Roc City Royals Friday evening at 8:00pm. The next home game for Lockport will be Friday, October 7th at 8:00PM, as they take on the Pittsburgh Vengeance.
Northeast Division Standings (As of 9/28/2016)
TEAM
|
GP
|
W
|
L
|
OTL
|
SOL
|
PTS
|
Binghamton Junior Senators
|
6
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
11
|
Jersey Shore Wildcats
|
5
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
7
|
Lockport Express
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
Roc City Royals
|
5
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
Syracuse Stampede
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
Skylands Kings
|
6
|
1
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
Team Leaders:
Lockport Express Binghamton Junior Senators
Dominic Senese 4G, 7A, 11pts Dominik Bogdziul 5G, 10A, 15pts
Andrew Logar 5G, 2A, 7pts Conor Landrigan 5G, 7A, 12pts
Luca Mazzo 3G, 4A, 7pts Tyler Uravage 4G, 8A, 12pts