Rochester Too Much To Handle For BDevils

Binghamton Devils, with another strong effort similar to Friday night vs Springfield, couldn’t quite pull it off against the third best team in the league as the Rochester Americans skated away with a 5-3 win on Saturday at The Floyd. The loss was the team’s season-high fifth in a row.

The Amerks benefited with two late goals in the opening period 52 seconds apart as Taylor Leier scored on a shot, short side of the net past Cam Johnson. After a faceoff win by Rasmus Asplund that sent the puck to Alexander Nylander, he then skated towards the slot with a wrister that sailed past Johnson on the power play with 2.0 seconds left in the period. That would be a big deal as both teams headed to the locker room with motivation leaning towards the Americans.

In the second Binghamton had tied it at two, as Nikita Popugaev scored after receiving a short pass off the stick of Brett Seney and with a wrister past Adam Wilcox for his first AHL goal. Soon after, hard work by Brian Ward paid off in dividends as he was able to battle his way through several players in the corner for a loose puck that finally bounced out to Brandon Baddock. His short pass found Marian Studenic for a one-timer to send the big crowd into a frenzy.

However, before the goal replays were completed Rochester was able to regain the lead 15 seconds later. Victor Olofsson delayed his opportunity at the right time before unloading a snapshot with Tariq Hammond and Rasmus Asplund tangled up through the crease that created too much havoc for Johnson in front that crested a partial screen.

In his second game signed to a PTO, Sam Kurker scored his first for the Devils with a one-timer from the blueline that made it a 4-3 contest with 13:16 remaining in the third period. Hope was there as the players fought hard to at least send it to overtime but an empty net goal in the final minutes by Taylor Leier would result as the final blow for Binghamton.

BDevils with all sorts of pressure, fell short despite out-shooting the Amerks 33-30.

Line-Up, Game #62

Forwards: Krushelnyski - Schmelzer - Popugaev, Edwardh - Seney - Kurker, Baddock - Sharangovich - Saracino, Sorkin - Ward - Studenic

Defensemen: White/Murphy, Bergin/Ramage, Hammond/Jacobs

In Goal: Cam Johnson, Evan Cormier

Scratches: Brian Strait, Eddie Lack, Blake Speers and Eric Gryba

Post Game Notes

• Eric Tangradi and Brandon Gignac called up to NJ while another PTO was handed out to Nick Sorkin at forward. Gignac made his NHL debut on Saturday for the Devils.
• With 12 regulars out of the line-up either called up by New Jersey or out injured, the team has performed well with what they have.
• Seney with a 4 game point streak (1g, 3a) since being sent down and has played big minutes while centering the second line between Edwardh and Kurker.
• Pops has 2 points (1g, 1a) in his last 2 games and his adjustments to NA soil is beginning to show, as he looks more comfortable with better puck management. His goal celebration was a thing of beauty as he popped the water bottle set on the cage.
• We chug along in what has been a mind-blowing experience with all the injuries hit hard up top in NJ. At this point, it’s a shot of looking who can be a player that is offered a contract for next season across the organization.

Three Stars

#1. Victor Olofsson (2g), #2. Nikita Popugaev (1g), #3. Taylor Leier (2g)

Video Highlights

Upcoming Games

Binghamton and Rochester clash once again for the rematch held on Sunday afternoon to conclude the weekend.