Springfield Edges Binghamton Senators 4-3
Andrew Hammond was a bit shaky in net in his first game back after being out with a concussion.
The Binghamton Senators played well enough to win but came up short as they lose to the Springfield Falcons 4-3 giving up two third period goals. Goaltender Andrew Hammond, returning to the AHL on a conditioning assignment, took the loss and showed signs of rust after being out with a concussion as the team lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.
Sens control play and puck possession for the better part of the opening period but end up trailing 1-0. Dan O'Donoghue beats Kyle Flanagan on the faceoff and backs the puck to Michael Bunting at the top of the circle and snaps it quickly by a surprised Hammond off his blocker putting the Falcons out front.
Binghamton ties it with a purpose shot from the point by defenseman Mark Fraser that goes behind the cage off the back boards right to Flanagan's stick, as he pokes it by Falcons' netminder Nicklas Treutle who didn't see him at the corner of the net. Sens then take the lead as Travis Ewanyk's wraparound attempt is denied, but Zack Stortini is there to eventually shove it in scoring his fourth of the season.
Falcons continue to feel the pressure coming from the Senators but Treutle (and a few posts) help keep them in it. But that would change as they would tie it up with 32.5 seconds left in the second scoring a power play goal with Ewanyk in the box for high-sticking. Matthias Plachta takes a short, across the crease pass from Greg Carey and catches Hammond out of position for the easy goal sending them into the locker room stealing momentum.
However, Max McCormick would regain that lost momentum scoring his sixth with 4:45 gone in the third by shooting through Treutle's glove side and into the back of the cage making it a 3-2 contest. Then it got ugly. Springfield's Lucas Lessio races to the puck after a Michael Kostka turnover near center ice and Hammond would make a terrible judgement call in leaving his net for the loose puck in front but dives and misses, as he sees the speedy Lessio skate around him and shoots into an empty net with him laying out on the ice some 25 feet out.
Veteran Dustin Jeffrey would put his team out front for a good taking a tape-to-tape pass from another veteran Jon DiSalvatore, and snipes it by Hammond down low from the faceoff circle as the Senators outshoot the Falcons 32-28, but come up short losing 4-3.
STARTING LINE-UPS
Schneider-Paul-Puempel
McCormick-O'Dell-Dzingel
Greening-Ewanyk-Stortini
Penny-Flanagan-Robinson
Kostka-Carlisle
Mullen-Fraser
Claesson-Harpur
WHO'S OUT
Michael Sdao, out. Danny Hobbs, Tobias Lindberg, Nick Tuzzolino, Guillaume Lepine injured. Darian Dziurzynski, healthy.
Matt O'Connor in back-up
POST GAME NOTES
- Hammond did make some good saves, in particular stopping several breakaways, but that third goal he misplayed wasn't very good at all. A couple he probably wished he had back but that's why he's down here, to get back into playing shape while working on his mechanics.
- A good team effort with strong performances out of McCormick, Ewanyk, Matt Puempel and Chris Carlisle. Eric O'Dell was back in the line-up after missing time with illness, and Fraser returned from his 2 game suspension. Darian Dziurzynski a surprised healthy scratch as I thought he has made an impression, but perhaps he'll play on Saturday in place of Flanagan.
- Lindburgh out again with an injury but traveled with the team, as Luke Richardson has said he's a ways out before returning.
- Both Hammond and O'Connor praised the work of Rick Wamsley in working with them to help improve their games as Grady Whittenburg interviewed the two airing them during tonight's intermissions. O'C also mentioned it's been quite the adjustment from college and now has confidence after winning his first game last Saturday night.
- Both teams stayed out of the box as the two teams aren't exactly rivals with Binghamton getting whistled 3 times compared to only once for Springfield.
- Nick Paul still in search for his first professional goal as Richardson continues to leave him at the top on the first line at center. The kid is coming along but he's going to be a ways off before he sees any action in Ottawa. I can say the opposite of McCormick, as he finished with the games most shots with 6, and scored a sweet wrister in tight one-on-one with Treutle.
UPCOMING GAMES
Down to Hershey to play with some Bears on Saturday, then the team is home on Wednesday to face the skilled Toronto Marlies.