SYRACUSE, NY – The Binghamton Devils scored three goals in the opening period and Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves in a 3-2 road victory over the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night.
John Quenneville got the scoring going just 11 seconds into the game. In the neutral zone, a Syracuse defender stepped up and missed the puck which allowed Quenneville to take it in all alone. The forward lifted a shot over the right shoulder of Crunch goaltender Michael Leighton for the 1-0 lead with assists from Nathan Bastian and Brian Strait.
Binghamton added to the lead at 3:57 of the opening period courtesy of Blake Speers’ first professional goal. Blake Pietila moved to the offensive zone and slid a pass to Speers in the hash marks who quickly released a shot by the right side of Leighton. The goal was assisted by Pietila and Kevin Rooney and Leighton was replaced by Connor Ingram in net for the Crunch.
Nick Lappin put the Devils up 3-0 with a rebound goal later in the first period. Michael Kapla hit Tim Erixon with a pass along the blue line and Erixon ripped a one timer that was stopped by Ingram. Lappin collected the rebound and lifted it over Ingram for the three-goal lead at 11:49 of the first frame. After 20 minutes, Binghamton led in shots 7-5 and in goals 3-0.
Syracuse scored shorthanded twice on the same penalty kill to pull the Crunch back within one goal. 11:54 into the middle frame, Michael Bournival took the puck as it slipped by Binghamton’s Jacob MacDonald and beat goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to decrease the Devils’ lead to two goals.
Erik Cernak joined an odd-man rush for Syracuse and beat Blackwood from the hash marks while on the same penalty kill. The goal was Cernak’s second of the year with the lone assist going to Matt Bodie at the 13:26 mark of the second period. After 40 minutes, Binghamton held a 3-2 lead and led in shots 20-18.
After no scoring in the thir period, Binghamton held on for a 3-2 victory. Mackenzie Blackwood picked up the victory for the Devils, stopping 26 shots. The loss was credited to Michael Leighton who was pulled after letting in two goals on two shots to start the game.
The Binghamton Devils return home tomorrow against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at 7:05 p.m. inside Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. Fans can get a discounted ticket and help support local non profits on Miracles on Ice Night! Call the Devils’ front office at 607-733-7367 for more information.
For more information, including pricing, benefits, and much more, visit http://www.binghamtondevils.com/ or call the Devils front office at 607-722-7367.
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