Wednesday night at the Scope: Binghamton 5, Admirals 3

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse for the local hockey team...

'A COMPLETE JOKE’

As one might expect from a last-place team, the Admirals have had their share of poor efforts during the 2008-09 season. Wednesday, however, coach Darren Rumble believes the team reached a new low.

“This might have been our worst effort of the year, by far,” Rumble said after the Senators used a three-goal third period to pull away. “We owe everybody that was in this building tonight an apology. It was a complete lack of effort. A complete joke.”

RISE AND SKATE

Rumble has scheduled a practice for 7 this morning so the Admirals can do the skating he doesn’t believe they did Wednesday night.

“They mailed it in tonight,” he said. “They will not be mailing in the practice.”

The coach said only four players gave a real effort Wednesday night – Brock Hooton, Juraj Simek, Radek Smolenak and goalie Riku Helenius.

MORE PENALTY BLUES

As bad as their performance sounds, the Admirals (27-34-5-3) actually went into the third period tied at two. But back-to-back penalties on Justin Keller and Brandon Segal forced the Admirals to play two men down against Binghamton’s AHL-best power play. Not surprisingly, the Senators scored twice in a 39-second span to break things open.

“That’s been a problem all year,” Smolenak said. “At the worst times, we take stupid penalties. It’s just killing us.”

TURNOVER WOES

A pair of giveaways also contributed to Norfolk’s demise. Binghamton’s third goal came after a Wade Brookbank pass from the corner in his own end was intercepted in front of the net by Shawn Weller. Weller wheeled and fired a shot between the pads of Helenius.

Then in the third period, Admirals defenseman Brent Henley, again coming out of a corner in his own end, lost the puck when he skated into Simek.

Binghamton’s Peter Regin made the steal, centered to Neil Petruic in the slot, the deposited the rebound after Helenius denied the initial shot.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Simek, Smolenak and Chris Lawrence scored the goals for Norfolk. For Smolenak it was his 20th of the season, but not surprisingly, the forward was in no mood to celebrate.

“I’d give 'em all back for a better (team) season,” he said.

Also, Zenon Konopka’s assist on Simek’s goal gave him points in eight straight games, tying the team’s season high by Steve Downie from Nov. 16 to Dec. 27.

HE FEELS YOUR PAIN

Several fans booed the Admirals after Binghamton’s fifth goal, and again at game’s end. Rumble said he understood completely.

“We’re here to develop players, but I also like to see fans enjoying themselves,” he said. “Now they’ll enjoy themselves the most with a win. But they can live with (a losing) result. They’re like, 'Hey, we just want an honest effort.’ They didn’t get that tonight.”