Drake Batherson’s 5 Point Night Helps Sink Binghamton Devils in OT

Belleville, ONT - The Binghamton Devils suffered a 5-4 loss in OT to the Belleville Senators at CAA Arena on Saturday. After their 2-1 victory on Friday, they registered three points out of a possible four for the weekend in what could have been a sweep if weren’t for the aid of Drake Batherson and his five point performance.

Regardless, it ended up being a really good outing overall.

In the opening 20 minutes, the BDevils (1-1-1) set the stage over the BSens( 1-2-0) as Chris Conner scored his second in two nights after a rebound bounced his way that ended up past Sens’ starter Filip Gustavsson. The Devils would then go up by two once again for a second straight night after a Brett Seney tally on the PP midway through the period.

But the middle frame hasn’t been kind in the three games played so far for Binghamton as the BSens struck back. Logan Brown scored the first of his two goals of the evening off a deflection from a shot by defenseman Jordon Murray that landed past Devils’ netminder Gilles Senn. Brown would also put a dagger past Senn on the power play followed by a marker by Jack Dougherty that knotted the game at three apiece.

But the focus was on a nifty move that gave the BDevils a two-goal cushion beforehand. The second-year pro Ryan Schmelzer laid down this beauty that handed the Devils a 3-1 lead 7:06 into the second.

Earlier in the third Binghamton regained the lead when Michael McLeod scored his first with an assist given to Chris Conner, his fifth point in three games. But Belleville responded with a goal by Nick Paul as his snapshot sent high near the slot got the better of Senn.

The overtime featured fluid puck control by the Devils throughout the five-minute mark, well, up until the game-winner with 28 seconds left showing on the clock. Batherson gathered a loose puck that bounced his way towards center ice as he raced in solo towards the zone and beat Senn far side for the goal.

Despite the results, a lot of positives should be taken out of this. Shots ended up 34-31, Senators.

Line-Up, Game #3

Seney - Street - Anderson, Conner - McLeod - Bastian, Gignac - Maltsev - Schmelzer, Baddock - Sharangovich - Speers

Melchiori/Paliotta, Mermis/White, Groleau/Jacobs

Senn - Cormier

Scratches: Zetterlund, Morrow, Studenic

Post Game Notes

• Regardless, there are many positives to take out of Saturday night. For one, Gilles Senn stood tall in his first NA game and AHL debut as he ended up with 29 saves. If it weren’t for Drake Batherson, the Devils might have well escaped with the extra point.
• Devils have given up 7 goals in the 2nd period after three games. Need to shore this up.
• They also scored their first power-play goal, but continued to look bad as the Devils were 1/7 vs 1/2 for the BSens.
• Brett Seney was in beast mode throughout the night as he moved the puck around with ease as well as authority, including the powerplay.
• Might as well hand the Captain role to veteran Ben Street as he took the leadership role with several on-ice actions.
• Not liking what I’ve seen so far from defenseman Michael Paliotta and forward Joey Anderson.
• McLeod is a fighter, not like with his fists but gives you 110%, every game.
• Blake Speers is a bust. Look for him to be involved in a trade at some point this season.

Your Three Stars

#1. Drake Batherson (1g, 4a), #2. Logan Brown (2g, 2a), #3. Nick Paul (1g, 2a)

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The Devils continue their road trip with a stop to Wilkes.Barre/Scranton on Wednesday to take on the Penguins.