Cory Schneider Sharp Despite 3-2 Loss to Rochester

The Binghamton Devils seemed headed to certain overtime for the third consecutive game before the officials had other intentions of their own it appeared.

Binghamton forward John Quenneville was called for a late high stick with 1:46 left in the third period with the game knotted up at two. Rochester then capitalized on the power play as Victor Olofsson (15) rifled a wrister that beat Devils’ netminder Cory Schneider short side and ended up the game-winner at 1:01 and just like that, the Amerks beat the Devils 3-2 at The Floyd on Friday.

Photo provided by Alicia Strauch

This outcome is not the result of a questionable call near center ice, but missed opportunities that would haunt the home team throughout the night. Binghamton was in control for the first half of the contest before it shifted towards Rochester the latter portions as the game wore on.

In the opening period, the BDevils jumped to an early lead with JQ’s backhander that eluded Americans’ goalie Adam Wilcox off a botched play behind the cage as Blake Pietila recorded the primary assist. Schneider stopped all nine shots he saw and looked good and that would be the theme the rest of the way.

Just 20 seconds into the middle frame, Michael McLeod found Eric Tangradi across the slot and sent a softy in by Wilcox for his sixth of the season. It was a pretty play that caught the Amerks by surprise however, that would be all the scoring the BDevils would manage as Rochester then took over.

With D Andrew MacWilliam in the box, Amerks would score shorthanded with a nice individual effort by Yannick Veilleux (3) as he beat Brandon Gignac along the wall and skated his way down into the offensive zone. Veilleux created some space with newly acquired defenseman Ryan Murphy back and took aim over Schneider’s shoulder from the circle to cut the deficit in half.

Photo provided by Alicia Strauch

Rochester tied it at two when Tyler Randell (2) deflected a shot in front off a floater from the blueline by Brendan Guhle that would end the second period but more importantly, momentum for the Amerks heading into the third.

It was an unfortunate late penalty called against the Devils but they would turn up the pressure after the go-ahead goal with Schneider pulled in the final minute. Several close opportunities would develop capped with Pietila hitting the crossbar, but it came crashing down with the final blow of the horn.

Shots ended up 34-18 Rochester.

Line-Up, Game #49

Forwards: Tangradi - McLeod - Bastian, Gignac - Schmelzer - Lappin, Quenneville - Pietila - Studenic, Baddock - Sharangovich - Sarcino.

Defensemen: White - Murphy, Hammond - Jacobs, Sissons - Ramage

In Goal: Cory Schneider, Cam Johnson

Scratches: Brian Strait, Eddie Lack and Blake Speers.

Post Game Notes

• Schneider played in his 4th of a current 5 game conditioning stint. A pair of defenseman swaps took place on Thursday as D Michael Kapla was sent to Minnesota in exchange for D Ryan Murphy. F Kevin Rooney and D Eric Gryba are up in NJ and G Mackenzie Blackwood switched spots with G Cam Johnson as well for the Devils.
• Devils had this going their way as they have the Amerks number this season with 2 goals on 6 shots early on. Just didn’t have the offense clicking after that and let the Amerks back in it.
• Schneider played well and kept it simple while minimizing his rebounds. Probably his best performance of the season and has one more remaining in this conditioning stint before heading back to NJ.
• In his debut, Murphy was ok, looked to have plenty of composure and good puck mover. Reminds me of Patrick Mullen when he was a late acquisition back in the Senators’ era. Small, but a veteran presence that seems to fill the shoes of Brian Strait who remains out with concussion-like symptoms.

Three Stars

#1. Victor Olofsson (1g), #2. Yannick Veilleux (1g), #3. Eric Tangradi (1g)

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Upcoming Games

The Belleville Senators are in town on Saturday to take on the BDevils to complete the weekend.