BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Casey Bailey and Max McCormick each scored as the Binghamton Senators poured 40 shots on net in a 4-2 loss to the Providence Bruins on Friday night in front of 3,284 fans at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Bruins struck first just over three minutes into the opening period after Wayne Simpson put home his second of the year. Simpson took a shot from the left faceoff circle that was stopped by Chris Driedger, but trickled through his legs and over the goal line with Anton Blidh and Rob O’Gara picking up assists. The B-Sens went to the locker room trailing 1-0 and tied in shots 12-12.
The B-Sens evened up the score 1-1 at the 5:37 mark of the second period courtesy of Casey Bailey’s fourth goal of the season. Andreas Englund passed the puck across the blue line to Chris Rumble who took the initial shot against Malcolm Subban, but Bailey picked up the rebound at the faceoff dot and scored the tying goal.
Providence answered back with three goals over 3:56 to push the score to 4-1. The first goal came shorthanded on a two-on-one rush after a turnover in the B-Sens zone that found Jordan Szwarz getting his fifth of the year with Tyler Randell earning the assist. Mark Naclerio scored his first of the year after picking up Matt Bartkowski’s shot and knocking it in off the back of Driedger’s leg. Former B-Sen Alex Grant sent a powerful slap shot from the blue line and by Driedger with less than seven minutes to go. Matt Grzelcyk and Simpson were awarded assists and the B-Sens went into the final intermission down three goals and outshooting the Bruins 14-9.
The B-Sens had a strong third period registering 14 shots on goal and cutting the Bruins’ lead in half with 11 minutes to play. Phil Varone brought the puck into the Bruins zone where Curtis Lazar picked it up and fired a shot from the boards that McCormick deflected to score his third of the year. Despite the late effort, the Bruins took the game 4-2.
Driedger stopped 24 shots in the losing effort while Subban earned the win with 38 saves.
The B-Sens return home to continue Military Appreciation Weekend tomorrow against the Springfield Thunderbirds at 7:05 p.m. After the game, fans can enjoy a postgame skate along with a specialty Military Appreciation Weekend jersey auction. Can’t make it? Tune in on U.S. Country 96.9 FM, 680 AM, iHeartRadio’s website and mobile app, and AHL Live.
