BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Devils opened up the scoring 5:53 into the game to take a 1-0 lead, but it wasn’t enough, as the Lehigh Valley responded with four unanswered goals in a 5-2 win over the Devils on Saturday at Floyd L Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.
Mackenzie Blackwood made a crucial save that started a Devils’ rush back the other way. Josh Jacobs sent a low shot on net that was kicked out by goaltender Carter Hart right to Brandon Baddock. On the rebound, Baddock fired in his first of the year for a 1-0 lead. Baddock’s goal was assisted by Jacobs and Ryan Schmelzer 5:53 into the game.
The lead only lasted 1:02 when Phillippe Myers sent a shot on net from along the wall on the right wing side that found a way by goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to even the score at one. Myers’ goal was assisted by Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Phil Varone at 6:55. The game was tied at one after one period with the Devils holding a 14-6 shot advantage.
Lehigh Valley cashed in on a power play after the Devils missed a shorthanded chance. John Quenneville sent a shot over the head of Hart and it deflected out to the neutral zone, starting a four-on-two rush for the Phantoms. Varone dropped the puck to TJ Brennan who beat Blackwood from the has marks for his fourth of the year at 15:37. The Phantoms took a one-goal lead into the final period with the Devils leading in shots, 24-18.
Two goals in the first seven minutes of the third period put the Phantoms up 4-1. Chris Conner put in his fourth of the year at 2:12 and Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s third of the year added to the lead at 6:38 of the third.
With the Devils trailing by three, Blake Pietia took a Brett Seney pass on the power play and pulled Binghamton back within two goals with his second of the year at 13:09. The Phantoms added an empty netter in the end for a 5-2 win. Blackwood put away 19 saves and Hart stopped 29 in the win.
The Devils host Hockey Fights Cancer next Friday night against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at 7:05 p.m. Come support a great cause and bid on specialty jerseys that will go towards a great cause.
For more information, including pricing, group outings, taking a limo to the game, fan experiences, and much more, visit www.binghamtondevils.com or call the Devils front office at 607-722-7367.
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