WBS Penguins Crash BDevils New Years Eve Party 5-2

Binghamton was defeated by Wilkes Barre/Scranton 5-2 on Monday in front of a big, holiday crowd on home ice by their longtime rival Penguins in the annual New Year’s Eve event held at The Floyd. It was a lively affair between the two cities as it looked like old time hockey returned for however brief it lasted.

It had a little bit of everything that included a fight, some big hits and some trash talking that got under player’s skin causing skirmishes around the net after whistles. The crowd was in it and the players re-acted but the outcome would be marginal at best when it comes to the hated Penguins (17-14-4-1) dating back to last year.

Binghamton (15-19-3-0) jumped to an early lead in the first period when F Ryan Schmelzer chipped home his own rebound in front on the second try past G Tristan Jarry for his sixth goal of the season. However, the Pens later tied it with timely play out of the box by Garrett Wilson (8) and sent a blistering wrist shot high, short side of G Cam Johnson.

In the second period, WBS went out in front 2-1 on a goal from Teddy Blueger (14) as Johnson was drawn out of position by Wilson at the side of the net. But the Devils would soon tie it for a PP goal from D Colton White near the circle for his fifth but the Pens struck back to regain the lead.

But back came the Penguins, and this time for good.

It took just 1:16 after the tying goal for the fans to have some good vibes come crashing down as Ben Sexton (5) snagged a pass just inside the blueline from Kevin Czuczman and sent a wicked wrister from high in the slot by Johnson’s stick side and the Pens were on a roll.

Anthony Angello (10) made it a 4-2 lead with a simple poke in being in the right place at the right time by the side of the net with less than seven minutes remaining.

An empty-net tally from Teddy Blueger (15) jump-started the BDevils’ faithful early to the exits with 19:14 remaining in the final period as Binghamton suffered another frustrating loss for their second in a row. Shots were even at 25 apiece.

Line-Up, Game #37

Forwards: Pietila - McLeod - Bastian, Saracino - Rooney - Lappin, Sharangovich - Schmelzer - Studenic, Baddock - Speers - Gabriel

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

In Goal: Cam Johnson, Evan Cormier

Scratches: Brian Strait, Eddie Lack, Eric Tangradi, Tariq Hammond, Colby Sissons, Brandon Gignac and Brian Ward

Post Game Notes

• G Eddie Lack had season-ending hip surgery it was announced earlier today. In his last ice appearance Lack participated in warm-ups but couldn’t start at the very last minute and has been on the sidelines ever since. D Egor Yakovlev was sent down by NJ and played but this wasn’t his best effort while sitting on the pine for the Devils for most of the season hasn’t helped.
• A fight (!!) broke out in the 1st period between Kurtis Gabriel and Patrick McGrath as the two landed several punches before McGrath clocked Gabriel twice sending him to the ice.
• Dating back to last season the Devils are 0-7 against the Pens and it goes even further with the Senators.
• Devils power play was 1/7 as the Pens were very aggressive sending the puck out of the defensive zone all night but most notably during a 5 min major in the 3rd period. Captain Garrett Wilson’s hit to the head of Nathan Bastian will likely lead to a suspension by the league as a result.
• A chorus of boos could be heard from the fans during that 5-minute powerplay as the Devils just couldn’t set anything up in their offensive zone.
• Two things: Pens empty net goal caught with a line change by the Devils. 5-minute major washed away towards the end with too many men on the ice call by the Devils. This team is young and is expected to make mistakes along the way but this is on the coaching staff. It shouldn’t be happening with nearly a half a season gone by.

Three Stars

#1. Teddy Blueger (2g), #2. Ben Sexton (1g), #3. Anthony Angello (1g)

Video Highlights

Upcoming Games

BDevils at the beginning of four consecutive home games to lead into the New Year with two on tap this weekend. On Friday, Toronto Marlies pay a visit followed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday.