The Amerks are on the road tonight in Binghamton looking to kill their four game winless streak against the reigning Calder Cup Champions.  Even though the Amerks are on a losing streak they’ve managed to earn points in three out of four of those games.  After tonights game the Amerks will be back home to practice and then go back again to Binghamton next Friday.

Looking at the positives, the Amerks know they’re missing a couple of key players that could make a difference in the roster but they continue to stay competitive in games and are finding ways to score.  Players like Michael Ryan and Paul Szczechura out of the lineup are forcing others to move up in roles that they are not be ready for.  Things are headed in the right direction, they’re not being embarrassed on the ice night in and night out.

The Amerks coaching staff see’s positive signs with what they have and will continue to coach to that.  Rolston immediately said no when asked if there have been any talks with the Buffalo Sabres to make changes to the roster to improve it.  They understand the veteran element is missing that could help lead the younger guys but are patient with the near future return of Szczechura and Ryan.

It’s Drew MacIntyre’s turn in net for the Amerks.  After practice on Friday morning Ron Rolston said that the back and forth goaltending duo is going to continue until one of them really stands out.  They’ve both played decent games but neither has stood out.  This isn’t the type of situation that goalies like but Rolston said that MacIntyre and Leggio are aware of what’s going on and it’s up to them to stand out to earn the chance for back to back games.

Drew Schiestel is supposed to be back in the lineup since suffering a knee injury late in the season opener on October 8th.  A report out of Hamilton had stated he would be out 4-6 weeks, something the Amerks said was not true.  Tomorrow will be three weeks, looks like they told the truth.

The Michael Ryan saga continues and we still don’t know the exact injury that’s keeping him out and it sounds as if the team doesn’t know either.  A couple things are known, he doesn’t have a concussion and whatever is ailing him is still allowing him to workout.  On Friday he was doing off ice workouts while the team was on the ice.  Ron Rolston said that doctors are continuing to evaluate him and that Ryan wants to be back in the lineup as much as the coaching staff wants him there.

Binghamton defeated the Albany Devils 4-2 on Friday night.  Robin Lehner stopped 42 out of 44 shots in the game, a performance that has apparently earned him a call up to the Ottawa Senators according to Bob Howard.

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Mike McKenna should now get the start tonight.  Corey Locke was also going for x-rays after the game after being slashed on the arm, his playing status isn’t known.

Twitter: For Senators games and news follow @PPPShow and @PSBJoyOnTheSens.  You should also follow myself @LetsGoAmerks, @KevinDDandC, @AmerksHockey and @BSens_Hockey.  Use hasthags #Amerks and #Bsens.

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