The Belleville Senators picked up a rare victory in Binghamton on Friday night, grinding out a 5-3 victory over the Devils, extending their point streak to 14 games.
Jack Rodewald paced the attack with two goals and an assist, Christian Wolanin had three helpers and Nick Paul had a goal an an assist, to round out the game’s scoring leaders.
Jordan Murray and Joseph LaBate also tallied for Belleville.
Head Coach Troy Mann says he was pleased with his team’s energy from the opening puck drop and felt they handled the game’s many momentum swings well.
Rodewald’s first goal of the game came at 9:00 of the first period, when he deflected a Paul pass by Mackenzie Blackwood, on the power play.
Binghamton evened the score late in the period with Nathan Bastian crashing the net and getting credit for beating Marcus Hogberg, who was making his sixth straight start.
The B-Sens edged ahead 2-1 in the second on another deflection, this time from LaBate, but the lead only lasted 47 seconds.
Nick Lappin created a turnover deep in the Belleville zone and fed John Quenneville in the slot, who ripped a shot by Hogberg to make it 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Belleville Senators defenceman Christian Wolanin sets up in front of his own net during a game against the Binghamton Devils, at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, on February 22, 2019. (Photo: Binghamton Devils)
Belleville went ahead 3-2 in the third on Murray’s power play marker, sniping a wrist shot into the top cornered, then Rodewald put the B-Sens up by two on an outstanding highlight reel goal, assisted by Chase Balisy.
Balisy carried the puck in deep behind the Binghamton goal and made a great pass to Rodewald, who dragged the puck around a defender and chipped over Blackwood’s shoulder.
Mann says he felt Balisy had a strong game overall, not just on that goal.
The Devils made it close at 14:05 of the third when Lappin benefited from a broken play and knocked a puck past Hogberg at the side of the goal.
Paul added some insurance 1:55 later, throwing a puck at the net from the far corner, which eluded Blackwood to make it 5-3.
The Senators continue their crucial divisional road trip Sunday in Rochester, with new addition Vitaly Abramov set to make his Belleville debut.
Mann says he’s looking forward to working the skilled Russian winger into the line up.
Saturday’s game can be heard on 800 AM CJBQ for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden, starting at 6:50 p.m.
You can click here to read the box score from Friday night and see highlights from the game below.
