The Binghamton Senators looked destined to drop another divisional game against the Adirondack Phantoms Friday night, but battled back to tie the game with 55.8 seconds left and went on to win in a shootout, by a 4-3 count.
Things got off to a shaky start to say the least. Just 22 seconds into the game, the Senators found themselves down 1-0 after the Phantoms got behind the Binghamton defense and Jon Matsumoto fed a pass to David Laliberte who raced toward the net only to drop the pass back to Matsumoto, who went up and over the shoulder of Binghamton goalie Chris Holt.
The lead was expanded to 2-0 when Jonathan Kalinski beat Holt with 4:07 to go in the period. It was the second goal Holt gave up on just six shots. He did not look like he was long for the game, but there were 40 minutes left for him to prove himself.
With 4:08 left in the second period, the Phantoms were called for too many men on the ice. It was only the second penalty against the visitors, but the Senators made them pay. Usually the iron is a goalies best friend, but on this occasion Kaspars Daugavins let a wrister go from the left faceoff dot over that banged off the crossbar and went in behind goaltender Johan Backlund to make it 2-1.
The lucky bounces continued for the Sens, when Zack Smith, who was sent back from Ottawa during the day got credit for the tying goal with 7:12 left in the third period. Toms Kudelka took the initial shot from the point, that Backlund couldn't corral. He lost sight of the rebound and the puck wound up in the middle of a four-player pile and was actually slid in off the skate of a Philadelphia player.
Smith got credit as the last Senator to touch the puck and the game was knotted at two. Kudelka got the primary assist with Brandon Svendsen chipping in as well.
The tie did not last long as center Ryan Dingle jumped off the Adirondack bench on a change and skated across the ice, blistering a wicked slapper by Holt to make it 3-2 with 3:24 to go in the contest.
Things were looking bleak, but Binghamton Coach Don Nachbaur pulled Holt with 1:15 left, looking to catch lightning in a bottle. Ryan Keller made it work as he was able to rifle one by Backlund to tie things up.
The 4-on-4 overtime was controlled by Adirondack and Holt came up with seven saves, a couple of them worthy of the highlight reel.
The Senators held a 47-36 shots advantage at the end of overtime, but 22 Adirondack shots were fired at Holt in the third period and overtime.
He wasn't done putting on a show. He gave up only a first round goal from Matsumoto, while Hamel and Keller both scored for Binghamton. That left the game on the stick of all-star Martin St. Pierre. His shot was not handled by Backlund and it ended up going up and over, hitting Backlund's back and settling in the back of the net for the game-winner.
With the win, the Senators (18-18-3-1) are now three points behind the fourth-place Phantoms and four points behind the third-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
For more info: Adirondack @ Binghamton Gamesheet
Game Notes: American Hockey League President David Andrews was in attendance Friday night and was interviewed by Senators radio voice Grady Whittenburg and made reference to the rumor that Ottawa will be moving their AHL team to Cornwall. He said there is no factual basis to the story and there are no plans for the franchise to move.
On a related note, B-Sens beat writer Michael Sharp spoke with Phil Legault, vice president of communications in Ottawa and Legault said that the organization is happy with Binghamton and there are no discussions with Cornwall.
Friday's game was the final game that Cody Bass had to serve of his six game suspension.
The Senators are home again Saturday night to take on old friend Greg Mauldin and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The puck drops at 7:05 PM.
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