/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63100079/thumbnail_IMG_2470.0.jpg)
It was a competitive contest for two periods with the game tied at two apiece until the wheels fell off in the final period for Binghamton as they gave up three goals in a 5-3 defeat to the Belleville Senators on Friday. BSens’ goalie Marcus Hogberg put on a clinic stopping 32 shots with several spectacular in the opening twenty minutes as the frustrated Devils lost their fourth in a row. Meanwhile, BSens are 10-0-0-4 in their last 14.
It was a game that contained some competitive juices that were flowing on the budding rivalry with some nastiness after whistles while players were engaged amongst one another. Same can be said within the stands as Lets Go Senators chants could be heard throughout the affair only to drown out with Lets Go Devils cheers.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/14288921/thumbnail_IMG_2437.jpg)
Starter Mackenzie Blackwood had some key saves to keep it tied at two after two periods, however, the third was not kind as he gave up three goals on eight shots.
The two teams exchanged first period goals as Jack Rodewald was successful on the powerplay as an apparent pass from Nick Paul hit his skate and was re-directed by Blackwood. For Binghamton Brandon Gignac’s shot towards the net bounced off of Nathan Bastian for his 16th of the season.
Again each team scored in the middle frame when Joseph LaBate put Belleville ahead off the faceoff with a tip in near the crease, but the Devils quickly responded 47 seconds later as John Quenneville scored his 16th on a heavy wrister from the slot that landed down low, far side of the cage past Hogberg.
Two special team goals killed whatever momentum the Devils had as the Senators scored on the powerplay once again as Jordan Murray’s snipe from the circle ended up short side of Blackwood. Rodewald then scored his second of the game shorthanded that caught the Devils napping. The puck hit the top part of the net and bounced out, but after a short review, it was signaled a good goal from one of the officials.
With Binghamton trailing 4-2, Nick Lappin pounced on a pass from Josh Jacobs from the side of the blue paint for his 13th of the season that made it a one-goal affair. But the Sens regained their two-goal lead less than two minutes later on an impossible shot from the goal line by Paul that somehow found a seam past Blackwood that made it 5-3 as the fans found the exits with 4:00 remaining. Shots ended up in favor of Binghamton 35-26.
Line-Up, Game #56
Forwards: Tangradi - McLeod - Bastian, Quenneville - Schmelzer - Lappin, Studenic - Sharangovich - Popugaev, Baddock - Gignac - Saracino
Defensemen: Yakovlev - Ramage, White - Murphy, Bergin - Jacobs
In Goal: Mackenzie Blackwood, Cam Johnson
Scratches: Brian Strait, Eddie Lack, Blake Speers, Blake Pietila and Tariq Hammond
Post Game Notes
- G Evan Cormier and D Colby Sissons sent to Adirondack while D Desmond Bergin signed to a PTO.
- Lappin with a goal and an assist in his first game back since his recent NJ call-up.
- Both clubs showed some fieriness with several dust-ups but the biggest came at the end of the second period when Colton White took an exception of a late hit after the horn was blown. Players from both clubs piled up near the corner boards that also spilled out towards the benches.
- Binghamton with many undisciplined penalties as they were whistled for eight compared to just three by the Senators.
- BDevils just about eliminated from the post-season as any type of wins combined by losses from opposing teams is just not conceivable at this point. Losing is not at all fun as this has been a terrible season for the Devils’ Organization.
- It was DIFD night as the club wore the special purple jerseys that was auctioned off afterwards.
Three Stars
#1. Jack Rodewald (2g, 1a), #2. Christian Wolanin (3a), #3. Nick Paul (1g, 1a)
Video Highlights
Upcoming Games
Binghamton in a makeup game on Tuesday against the Syracuse Crunch that was canceled on Jan 19th due to snow.