Binghamton Senators Score Rare Win Over Albany Devils
BSens dismiss the notion of a Devils comeback tonight and stayed strong in 2-1 victory
The last time the Senators were victorious over the Albany Devils this season was back on opening night in Binghamton's encouraging 4-1 win. In that game, Colin Greening had a goal and Eric O'Dell recorded two.
Since then, Albany had won the next five. Until tonight.
Not many wins have come this way for the depleted Binghamton Senators line-up as of late, but quietly they made it a successful weekend winning both their games. After putting an end to a seven game losing streak in Rochester on Friday, Max McCormick and Casey Bailey were the lone goal scorers that led in the victory over the Albany Devils on a Saturday night at the raucous, Floyd Arena.
Goaltender Matt O'Connor broke a personal four game losing streak in winning his ninth overall (9-20-3-0, 3.35, 0.895), as he came out tonight focused with some quick reflexes by his glove and made several key kick saves. His progress has been better than suspected down the stretch and it's something to build on for next season.
All three goals came in the second period, as McCormick buried his 13th on a second stuff attempt against Devils' netminder Yann Danis on a powerplay to put Binghamton on the board, with the primary assist going out to Ryan Rupert.
Albany then scored at 12:26 when forward Graham Black pushed the puck between O'Connor's knees and it barely crossed the goal line, but enough to tie up the contest at one apiece. Bailey scored the game winner, his 10th, on a quick wrister from the circle after he took a fake/shot, then soft/pass from Sens' defenseman Jerome Leduc from inside the blueline, for the team's second man advantage tally.
In the final period, the Devils may have had the shot advantage, but O'Connor remained steady, as he ended up with 36 saves on the night. Albany ended up pulling Danis for the man advantage with 2:04 remaining, but couldn't connect this time, like in the past, that resulted with some late goal heroics, as the Senators hang on for the 2-1 victory.
The playoff bound Devils lost for only their 19th time in regulation as Binghamton (29-37-6-1) meanwhile, has three games left before heading off to the links.
TONIGHT'S LINE-UP
Keranen-Akeson-Borkowski
McCormick-Rupert-Bailey
Morris-Miller-Todd
Hobbs-Ewanyk-Molrris
Lepine-Leduc
Carlisle-Fraser
Tuzzolino-Trecapelli
Matt O'Connor
Chris Driedger
WHO'S OUT
Kyle Flanagan, Dave Dziurzynski and Zack Stortini injured.
POST GAME NOTES
- As the Senators in their remaining four games of the season, players were called up from the ECHL and filled in for those up in Ottawa or on the IR. Lots of new faces and too many to notice, or on the other hand, not to notice.
- Sens scored both goals on the powerplay with McCormick and Bailey cashing in, as they are two players that should have a future with the Sens Organization, as both need to be re-signed during the off-season.
- Defenseman Mark Fraser and good ole' Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond were not the best of friends this evening, as they almost went at it not once, but twice. I recall Leblond and Mike Sdao were involved in some epic fights in the past, but it was his punch that knocked Zack Stortini down in last Friday's tilt. Btw, Fraser did not return to action the rest of the way after the opening twenty minutes.
- One fight that did go down was between two unlikely components, that being Michael Keranen of the Sens (11 PIM's) and the Devil's Brandon Burlon (50 PIM's). Both were involved raising their arms at one another after a whistle, that led to them dropping the gloves. Burlon had his way for the most part in the brief exchange.
- Tonight's game was highlighted for cancer survivors including Stuntman Stu from the Ottawa Senators, with a moment of reflection during intermission with local fans. Nice gesture by the BSens.
- Many members of the BMets were in attendance and made their presence be known by giving back cheers to those fans that will watch them play this baseball season at NYSEG Stadium. Always a fun time when the city's two professional teams intertwine with one another on the schedule.
- Shout out to @PixelGhost25 and his great job in fill-in role for in-house promos. Kid's a natural, and I believe most fans would agree.
BOX SCORE
UPCOMING GAMES
The Sens travel to the state's Capital in Albany and take on the same Devils on Wednesday. Then the last home game of the season next Friday against the Bears.
*Cover Pic & Insert Courtesy of @AliciaS20