Binghamton Lose Once Again to Rivals in Syracuse

Syracuse, NY - The Devils showed they were the better team at lengths vs the Crunch, but after the final horn sounded, it was the same old results when it comes to their rivals up north of I81. Syracuse capitalized on scoring the first four of five goals during the opening period and parts of the second on their way to a 5-2 victory over Binghamton on Saturday.

Despite the shot margin that leaned heavily in favor of Binghamton, Syracuse goalie Mike Condon, fresh off the injury list, made the most in his home debut stopping 35 saves and looked great. Can’t say the same for Evan Cormier, although it was his second straight start following the loss on Friday in Rochester.

With that said, Syracuse (16-12-2) jumped to an early 2-0 lead after the first three minutes had expired. Goals by Nolan Valleau and Alex Barre-Boulet set the tone even after the Devils took control with the ice tilted in their favor and the shots also indicated so.

While Binghamton (9-17-4) continues to spiral downward, Ryan Schmelzer was the lone Devil to reach the scoreboard twice with his efforts. His first was off the crossbar as Mikhail Maltsev naturally reacted shooting the puck on the rebound into the empty net for the initial credit. But it was later changed to Schmelzer.

Then, Binghamton long time nemesis Cory Conacher scored the next two for Syracuse to end the first period and into the second, as the Devils found themselves trailing once again by a pair of goals, 4-2.

As for the second, Ryan made a great individual play along the side boards and was able to pop the puck over Condon that cut the deficit to two. However, an empty netter was the final blow by Syracuse forward Mathieu Joseph as the Crunch once again was victorious over the Devils.

In the end Binghamton outshot the Crunch 37-21, but the offense continues to drag down the team.

Line-Up, Game #30

Seney - Street - Merkley, Sharangovich - Maltsev - Schmelzer, Gignac - Schnarr - Bastian, Baddock - Larsson - Zetterlund

White/Cumiskey, Melchiori/Paliotta, Mermis/Jacobs

Senn - Schneider

Scratches: Anderson, Summers, Groleau, Studenic & Schneider

Post Game Notes

• Cormier looked a little bit shaky while Cory Schneider is out with an apparent injury suffered during Wednesday’s win over the Rochester Americans. It seems as he might have tweaked something while making a save late in the game, although it doesn’t appear serious.
• Merkley and Schnarr participated in their second contest after the Taylor Hall trade and continue to learn the systems in place, however askew it may appear. Too early to tell but I like what Schnarr brings with his size while Merkley is polished.
• Cumiskey reads the ice very well as his experience was missed while out with a concussion. NJ should offer him a contract with his PTO set to expire soon.
• Devils PP looked good as the 1st unit of Street-Seney-Merkley-Bastian-Cumiskey moved the puck well while the 2nd unit consisted of Mermis-Zetterlund-Sharangovich-Gignac-Schmelzer continued to have puck possession.
• As for the second, Ryan made a great individual play along the sideboards and was able to pop the puck over Condon that cut the deficit to two.

Your Three Stars

#1. Mike Condon (35 saves), #2. Cory Conacher (2g), #3. Alex Barre-Boulet (1g, 1a)

Video Highlights

A Look From Above