Sabourin Denies Late Binghamton Rally in 3-2 Win

HERSHEY, PA – Dany Sabourin works out during training camp (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Entering into Friday, the Binghamton Senators carried in a 2-0 season record. Although it is only week two, the B-Sens find themselves in a position they haven’t been in often the past three seasons, despite winning Calder in 2011: Top of the East Division Standings. Dany Sabourin and the Hershey Bears entered the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena for the first time this season, looking to spoil the party.

Five goals were scored in the game between the two sides, all by defensemen, and three wore Chocolate and White in a 3-2 Hershey win over Binghamton.

It was announced Friday afternoon that Braden Holtby is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Sabourin received the call for his first duel of the season, and Philipp Grubauer was summoned up from Reading to backup.

Julien Brouillette netted the first goal of the season by a Bears defensemen only 4:28 into the match. He unleashed a wrist shot from center-point after a drop pass from Jeff Taffe near the face off circle to the left of Robin Lehner.

Both Dany Sabourin and Robin Lehner appeared to be in mid-season form throughout the opening frame, as Brouillette’s tally was the lone goal for either side in the stanza. Sabourin stopped all 16 shots he faced in the first period.

Similar to the opening 20 minutes, in period two a Bears defender scored in the fourth minute. It was Hershey’s second power play goal of the season, and it came via Garrett Stafford. He unleashed a shot from the point that beat Lehner to the top shelf. It was only the Bears’ eighth shot of the contest on the Binghamton netminder.

The Hershey Bears for the first time in the 2012-13 season carried a lead into the third period. After 40 minutes they led the Senators, 2-0.

At the 5:03 mark of the third period, Cameron Schilling scored what turned out to be the game winning goal for Hershey. Right off a face off win by Ryan Potulny, Schilling took a shot low to the ice through a crowd of bodies, past Robin Lehner.

Dany Sabourin earned first star honors making 42 saves, but he had to be clutch down the stretch as Binghamton’s offensive threat nearly stunned Hershey. Right when a 5-on-3 turned into a 5-on-4 for the B-Sens, Andre Benoit hit pay-dirt on his fourth shot of the game on the Hershey net. The tally made it a 3-1 game with 10:58 left in regulation.

Minutes later with 4:52 remaining, Tyler Eckford scored on a shorthanded 2-on-1 rush to pull the Senators within one goal. Luke Richardson called in his group and sat Robin Lehner on the bench for the extra attacker with 1:21 left in the game.

Dany Sabourin stood his ground and made the final two saves to cap off his 42 save performance. The Hershey Bears pulled their record even to 1-1, as Binghamton faced their first defeat of the 2012-13 campaign. Final shot totals were 44-21 in favor of Binghamton.