BDevils Best BSens 4-1 Behind Cory Schneider’s Rehab Effort

NJ Devils’ goalie Cory Schneider, here for a conditioning stint after missing the last five weeks on the IR, made 19 saves and forwards Christoph Bertschy (1g,1a) and Tim Kennedy (3a) provided the offensive punch as the Binghamton Devils defeated the Belleville Senators 4-1 on a rare Tuesday night affair at Yardmen Arena.

With the victory, the surging BDevils (18-28-6-3) winners of their last five out of six, have leaped frog over the Senators (21-33-1-3) by percentage points into sixth place of the North Division with three games on hand. Also, while it was the second win in a row over the BSens within the last five days, the two clubs ended up sharing a 4-4 record on the season although BDevils earned more points with 11 compared to eight for Belleville.

It was just that sort of night with two teams going into different directions, but this time the Devils are the ones heading down the right path of success and not their opponent, and it feels really good for a change.

Nick Lappin got the wheels rolling with his team-leading 19th as he poked the puck by the side of the net past Sens’ starter Danny Taylor for a 1-0 Devils lead 13:34 in the opening period. Belleville would tie it in the beginning of the second period when Filip Chlapik’s one-timer beat Schneider down low, stick-side for the Senators only goal of the night.

Devils’ forward Tim Kennedy would send a cross-ice feed to a waiting Chris Bertschy and his wrister beat Taylor from high, off the top of the circle for his 11th of the season and third for Binghamton that restored the lead.

Michael Kapla then provided his team a two goal cushion with a bullet that landed far corner, past a screen provided by Bertschy in front for a power-play tally 7:14 into the final period. That would just about seal it as Binghamton received an insurance goal via an empty-netter on Blake Pietila’s second attempt, as his first sailed just wide seconds earlier.

Although it’s going to probably be too late for any attempt of a playoff appearance this season, it’s reassuring to see how the boys have been showing up on a consistent basis recently no matter what the calendar bares, with less than a few dozen games remaining on the docket.

Line-Ups

Forwards; Kearns-Rooney-Lappin, Pietila-Kennedy-Bertschy, Latta-Speers-Bastian, Baddock-Mandat-Thomson. Defense; Strait-Jacobs, MacDonald-Santini, Kapla-Walman. In Goal; Cory Schneider. Back up; Ken Appleby. Scratches; Brandon Gignac (inj.), Yaroslav Dyblenko, Austin Cangelosi, Mario Lucia and Colton White. Strait, Rooney and Lappin with the A’s.

Random Post Game Notes

• Jacob MacDonald appeared to score that the ref somehow missed, as play continued into the second period and a review would’ve over-ruled the non-call in a heart beat, but before a whistle was blown, Bertschy answered seconds later in what was really two power play goals by the BDevils in a span of less than a minute.
• Schneider returned to the AHL for the first time since the spring of 2010 while playing for Manitoba Moose during a playoff run. He ended up losing that game in OT to the Hamilton Bulldogs by a score of 3-2.
• Shots ended up 25-20 Bingo as the PP was 1/1 with Bertschy the lone goal scorer.
• John Quenneville has been sent back to Bingo coming off the IR in New Jersey, but has limited practice time and listed day-to-day. Most likely will seem some action at some point this coming weekend with a 3-in-3 on tap.
• Tim Kennedy with his 3 assists leads the club in that category, with Bracken Kearns right behind him with 25, followed by MacDonald with 24.

Three Stars

#1.) Christoph Bertschy (1g,1a), #2.) Tim Kennedy (3a), #3.) Filip Chlapik (1g)

Video Highlights

Upcoming Games

Binghamton on the road Friday in Syracuse against the Crunch, in Allentown on Saturday vs the Phantoms.