3rd Period Collapse Proves Costly for Binghamton Devils

Another tough loss to the division rival Utica Comets.

Binghamton Devils trailed after 20 minutes by a single goal and decided to turn things around scoring the next two in the second frame. However, it wasn’t enough as Utica bounced back with four of their own to close with a 5-2 victory on Friday. The win was the fifth straight for the Comets at Adirondack Bank Center and with the loss, the BDevils drew closer to the cellar of the North Division with an 11-15-3-0 record.

Zack MacEwen (13) scored the lone goal in the first period that gave the Comets a 1-0 lead as he skated around defenseman Michael Kapla and pushed the pushed the puck past Devils’ goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. Devils would register just three shots compared to the Comets’ six didn’t help matters much. However, Binghamton would take the lead with two special team goals in the second period.

Defenseman Eric Gryba (1) scored his first of the season with a slapper from the blueline off a faceoff for a shorthanded marker. That was soon followed with a power play goal by Eric Tangradi (4) on a five on three advantage as the Devils simply became a shooting range on Comets’ netminder Thatcher Demko.

The next goal would be the deciding factor that gave the home team momentum the rest of the night.

With time running out in the middle stanza, Utica tied it with 41 seconds left as Cam Darcy (5) took a pass in the lane from Lukas Jasek along the side boards and pulled a razzle-dazzle move on Blackwood that changed the atmosphere entering the final period.

Utica would then cash in on the game’s final three goals, including an empty-netter with Blackwood pulled with four minutes left. Shots ended up in favor of Binghamton 29-20 with the last two periods a 26-14 advantage over Utica.

Line-Up, Game #28

Forwards: Tangradi - McLeod - Bastian, Pietila - Rooney - Lappin, Baddock - Sharangovich - Speers, Gignac - Ward - Gabriel

Defensemen: White - Jacobs, Kapla - Ramage, Hammond - Gryba

In Goal: Mackenzie Blackwood, Cam Johnson

Scratches: Brian Strait, Eddie Lack, Colby Sissons, Marian Studenic and Ryan Schmelzer (2 game suspension)

Post Game Notes

• Tangradi returned from his 1 game suspension with a hit to Comets’ defenseman Ashton Sautner last Saturday. In tonight’s drama, he leveled out rookie Jonathan Dahlen with a hard, but legal hit near the corner boards. Dahlen did not return as a result with his bell shook up as no retaliatory action took place from the Comets regarding Tangradi’s actions. I’m a big fan of Tangradi as he brings valuable experience to the club and is one of the leaders.
• JQ called up before tonight’s game as the NJ Devils are now 5-0-1-0 after tonight’s OT win past LV with him in the line-up.
• Lappin returned after being a healthy scratch on Wednesday and seemed lost once again. Not sure what to think but perhaps peeling him off the 2nd line with Pietila, Rooney and inserting him with Tangradi and McLeod as the top line should be considered from my end.
• Blackwood looked fine, but the players in front had their moments. It took all hands on deck for the first 2 periods to help out the defense from the forwards but it all unraveled in the final 20.

Three Stars

#1. Guillaume Brisebois (1g), #2. Brendan Gaunce (1g, 1a), #3. Cam Darcy (1g)

Video Highlights

Upcoming Games

The weekend concludes on Saturday with the first of six meetings on the season with the Belleville Senators.