Michael Kapla, Kevin Rooney Pace Improbable Comeback Win For Binghamton Devils

The BDevils’ injuries have compiled throughout the Second Quarter into the start of the Third Quarter, but tonight no excuses though. And for a change, none were needed.

With the injury bug put aside, Coach Kowalsky addressed the media before tonight’s game in Springfield about losing and the burden it has brung. “It’s been a struggle for us. We certainly looked like a team that’s capable of putting wins together, but we haven’t been able to play to our identity individually, and as a team for 60 minutes and sometimes, simple things get us off the rails.”

Or possibly back on the rails, as it was proven on Friday with a character win for the Binghamton Devils, 5-3 over the Thunderbirds to end a five game losing streak in improbable fashion at MassMutual Center. Down by three late in the opening period, the BDevils scored five unanswered goals in a not so 60 minute effort but good enough, as the Thunderbirds witnessed their five game win streak come to an end.

Netminder Mackenzie Blackwood was going to be heavily relied on with all the injuries this club has faced, including the call-up of his counterpart, Ken Appleby on an emergency basis for New Jersey late on Friday. But Blackwood settled down after he gave up three goals in what seemed to be Binghamton headed for another loss after 17:00 minutes of play.

Rookie defenseman Michael Kapla and forward Kevin Rooney contributed a pair of goals while Bracken Kearns (3a) and Nick Lappin (1g, 2a) registered three points each as the Devils stormed back with momentum on their side late in the period with two goals within 75 seconds of one another by Rooney followed then by Kapla.

The BDevils (12-21-5-2) carried their momentum over Springfield (19-22-1-1) early into the middle frame as Kapla struck again for his third of the season that tied it at three apiece and as a result, sent T’Birds’ starting goaltender Samuel Montembeault to an early shower as he was pulled after giving up three goals on 11 shots, as Evan Cowley then entered the game.

It didn’t take long for Nick Lappin to score his team-leading 15th a minute later for the first Devils lead of the night, as it remained a 4-3 game up into the final twenty minutes.

Rooney with a tap in with just under five minutes left in the third gave the visiting the Devils their sixth road win of the season, equally their home win total of six as well. T’Birds ended up with a 34-31 shot advantage.

Line-Ups

Forwards; Quenneville-Kennedy-Bastian, Kearns-Rooney-Lappin, Baddock-Pietila-Thomson, Morris-Penny-Mandat. Defensemen; Strait-Loov, Mueller-MacDonald, Kapla-Dyblenko. In Goal; Mackenzie Blackwood. Back up; Colin Stevens. Scratches; Austin Cangelosi (inj.), Brandon Gignac (inj.), Josh Jacobs (inj.), Blake Speers (inj.) Michael Latta (inj.), Eddie Lack (inj.), Terrence Wallin and Colton White. Pietila, Strait and Lappin with the A’s.

Random Post Game Notes

• Stevens was a late addition to back-up Blackwood with Ken Appleby called back to New Jersey on Friday. He was signed to a PTO from the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL for the weekend. Defenseman Dylan Olsen was released from his PTO.
• Mirco Mueller is in Binghamton on a conditioning assignment and mentioned before tonight’s game, “It’s been a tough road obviously over two months..definitely looking for tonight”. He looked good paired up with Jacob MacDonald on the second unit.
• Nathan Bastian returned and Blake Speers should be ready on Saturday at home.
• Meanwhile the Kearns-Rooney-Lappin line combination yielded 8 points (3g, 5a) as Kowalsky ever changing line combinations might have found a trio to keep in moving forward.

Three Stars

#1.) Michael Kapla (2g), #2.) Kevin Rooney (2g), #3.) Nick Lappin (1g, 2a)

Video Highlights

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Upcoming Games

Binghamton Devils host the Toronto Marlies on Saturday at The Floyd.