Nick Craven makes AHL Debut with Binghamton Senators

Craven comes out of tunnel (courtesy B-Sens Instagram)

 We take a break from your regularly scheduled Bowdoin/Utica coverage to give you a pro hockey update. Wearing number 26, Wesleyan's Nick Craven made his AHL debut tonight  on "80s night" for the Binghamton Senators against the Connecticut Whale, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers.  The Ottawa Senators also played the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, defeating the Broadway Blueshirts 3-2.

The B-Sens defeated the Whale 3-0 in the first home ice shutout of the season for the Binghamton squad. Per the B-Sens' Dunkin Donuts "Sweet Shutout" promo, fans received a free donut. On behalf of Nick and the entire NESCAC family, you're welcome Binghamton.

Craven saw significant playing time and registered two shots. The 6'3" right wing from Colorado played alongside 2nd year B-Sen Louie Coparusso (University of Michigan) and AHL rookie Darren Kramer (Spokane Chiefs-WHL). In a second intermission radio interview, French center Stephane Da Costa didn't mention Craven by name, but said that the new guys were adjusting well.

Stephen Schultz was also making his Binghamton debut, after a high scoring season wth the ECHL's Trenton Titan. In the third period, the B-Sens radio announcers mentioned Craven coming from D-III New England hockey(no NESCAC plug though...le sigh) at Wesleyan University and noted that he didn't have the same offensive output  as his debut mate.  At the end of the radio post-game, B-Sens color analyst Bob Howard offered some faint praise for the two new players, saying "they were not a liability."


Nick and the B-Sens are back in action tomorrow night (7:05 PM)  at home against the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres affliliate) for International Night. Because nothing says international like Binghamton. You can listen for free here. If you have some disposable income to throw around, you can also watch for a fee on the AHL Live site.

Box Score: Binghamton 3/Connecticut 0