John Walton Hockey

Sat, Oct 25th, 2008 4:15:00 pm

HOMESTAND CONTINUES SATURDAY WITH THE SENS

Time for some news and notes as the Bears prepare for the Binghamton Senators here at GIANT Center, with face-off just a couple of hours away.

-First, for those who want to know Hershey's practice schedule coming up, there's only one chance until next weekend. The Bears will skate at Twin Ponds in Harrisburg Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. The rink is being converted for John McCain and Sarah Palin and their Tuesday date in Chocolatetown. Therefore, the Bears are without a place to skate. No skate Tuesday, we're shoving off for Canada first thing Tuesday morning.

-Daren Machesney will get the start today and tomorrow according to head coach Bob Woods. There is a decent chance that Bobby Goepfert will get a start on the road trip however. Stay tuned for that.

-Defenseman Josh Godfrey has been assigned to South Carolina (ECHL) to get some playing time while the Bears are up north. Andrew Joudrey and Francois Bouchard are expected to be scratches for tonight's game with the B-Sens.

-Speaking of Binghamton, they lost starting goaltender Brian Elliott to recall today. Jeff Glass will start tonight for the Sens, with Mitch O'Keefe backing up. O'Keefe was recalled this afternoon from Elmira (ECHL)

-The Sens will be without high flying forward Denis Hamel tonight. He's out due to injury for the second straight game. Hershey catches a big break to miss both Hamel and Elliott tonight. Jim McKenzie and Geoff Waugh are both out due to injury as well. Neither has played this season yet.

-It's a battle for first place tonight, with Binghamton unbeaten in six games in 2008-09. The Sens lost 4-3 in overtime Friday night in Syracuse.

-All seven teams in the East Division are in action today. Listen for score updates throughout the game this evening.