Binghamton Senators Fend Off Hershey Bears
Senators win the home finale 4-2 over the Bears
Binghamton Senators rookie's Casey Bailey had three assists and goaltender Matt O'Connor secured his tenth win of the season as the BSens won 4-2 over the Hershey Bears in their final home game of the 2015-'16 campaign.
The two clubs each traded first period goals as the Bears struck first on a nice backhander by Zach Sill after he burned around Binghamton defenseman Jerome Leduc. Sean Collins got credit for one of the assists with a short pass in the neutral zone that set Sill up and racing into the offensive zone.
Max McCormick would notch his 14th on a rather bizarre play, as Bailey's shot from near the blueline caught the blocker of Bears' netminder Dan Ellis, and up in the air the puck went, bouncing back down to near the goal line as McCormick's hustle would pay off as he poked it in from his stomach.
It then took just 1:05 into the second period that Hershey would regain the lead, as Bears' rookie forward Riley Barber scored his 25th of the season on a lethal wrister from high in the slot that beat O'Connor glove side. Sens would again tie the game however, with a quick punch of the puck past Ellis from the corner of the net by Matt Puempel, as Jason Akeson's accurate pass from the corner was spot on.
In the final period, McCormick would shine again with his hustle as he skated around Bears defenseman Madison Bowey and backhanded the puck to Ryan Rupert in front, as Rupert fell to the ice but was able to score his 12th of the season during the transaction.
Binghamton would add an empty netter as Phil Varone took a pass from Bailey along the wall, as the play appeared to be offsides but would stand regardless, for the team's 30th win of the season.
TONIGHT'S LINE-UP
Puempel-Varone-Akeson
McCormick-Rupert-Bailey
Carlisle-Keranen-Robinson
Hobbs-Ewanyk-Todd
Lepine-Leduc
Trecapelli-Tuzzolino
Harpur-Tansey
Matt O'Connor
Chris Driedger
WHO'S OUT
Kyle Flanagan, Mark Fraser, David Dziurzynski, Zack Stortini injured.
POST GAME NOTES
- Ottawa's new GM Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee were in attendance and will be around also to watch Sunday's game in Utica before making some decisions on Monday's exit interviews. Look for some changes to come.
- Sens Akeson was flipped over down to the ice with a cheap leg hit by Hershey defensman Tyler Lewington that brought immediate attention from Buddy Robinson, as the two dropped gloves with no real punches thrown. Akeson was shaken up on the play, but didn't miss a shift as he set up Puempel on the second goal moments after.
- Bears Captain Garrett Mitchell complained from the Hershey bench about the non-call offsides on the empty netter, and was promptly tossed with 39.4 seconds left on a misconduct penalty. Not so sure why it was such a fuss, as the first place Bears are the ones going to the post-season, not the last place Senators.
- It was the team's Season Awards night with trophys handed out before the start of the game. I'll get more in depth on a future Bingo Bites piece at some point breaking down the season from the team voted winners. Here is the list:
MVP - Chris Driedger
Rookie of the Year - Chris Carlisle
7th Player - Kyle Flanagan
Defenseman - Mark Fraser
Defensive Forward - Max McCormick
Man of the Year - Zack Stortini
Stars of the Year - Driedger
BOX SCORE
UPCOMING GAMES
The Sens finish the season on Sunday with the Utica Comets at The Aud.
*Cover Pic & Insert Courtesy of @AliciaS20