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Black Bears Explode for Eight Goals in Columbus, Stubbs Leads the Way With Six Points October 28, 2026 |
Posted by: Bob Howard Credit: BinghamtonHockey.net |
October 24, 2026 – By Bob Howard - BinghamtonHockey.net Columbus, GA - The Binghamton Black Bears closed out their season series against the Columbus River Dragons in impressive fashion Saturday night, exploding for eight goals in an 8-2 victory in Columbus, Georgia. After seeing their three-game winning streak snapped in Friday’s 5-4 loss, the three-time Commissioner’s Cup champions responded with an offensive outburst that featured four power-play goals and monster performances from three of their top offensive weapons. CJ Stubbs led the way with six points, while Ivan Bondarenko and Sam Dabrowski each finished with five points as Binghamton improved to 4-1-0 on the season with eight points. Despite the victory, the Black Bears remain in second place in the Atlantic Division. The Blue Ridge Bobcats defeated the Watertown Wolves 6-1 to remain undefeated through four games. Graham Burke, making his second professional appearance, earned the start in goal for Binghamton and improved to 2-0-0. Douglas Wakelyn, who entered the contest with a 1-2-0 record, started for Columbus before former Black Bears championship-winning goaltender Nolan Egbert entered in relief during the third period. Head Coach Brant Sherwood also made a notable adjustment to his forward lines. Eric Neiley was moved to a line with Brendan Doyle and Steve Guo, while Carter Jordan joined Bondarenko and Stubbs on the first line. That move paid immediate dividends. First Period: Black Bears Jordan Scores His First GoalThe Black Bears came out strong, controlling the play and putting 19 shots on Wakelyn while limiting Columbus to just five shots in the opening 20 minutes. The line change paid off at 12:51 when Jordan opened the scoring, finishing a play set up by Bondarenko and Stubbs to give Binghamton a 1-0 lead. The goal marked an early contribution from Jordan in his new spot alongside two of the Black Bears’ most dangerous offensive players. Binghamton continued to pressure the River Dragons, holding a commanding 19-5 advantage in shots on goal by the end of the period. The opening frame featured three minor penalties. Columbus’ Tyler Barrow was called for hooking at 1:23, followed by Binghamton’s Steven Ford for slashing at 4:10. Jack Cullen received a roughing minor for the River Dragons at 14:39, but neither team converted on its opportunities. The Black Bears carried their one-goal lead into the first intermission after a period in which their offensive pressure was evident throughout. Second Period: Binghamton Scores 4 in the Middle PeriodIf the opening period belonged to Binghamton in terms of territorial control, the second period belonged to the Black Bears’ special teams. Stubbs extended the lead to 2-0 just 3:35 into the period, scoring at even strength off assists from Doyle and Jacob Hamilton. Less than a minute later, the Black Bears went to the power play and Bondarenko made Columbus pay. At 4:28, he converted a man-advantage opportunity with assists from Dabrowski and Chance Gorman to push the lead to 3-0. The power-play opportunity came after an incident in front of Burke involving Columbus’ Nathan Balkwill and Binghamton’s Steven Ford. Following the altercation, Balkwill was assessed two roughing minors, while Burke also received a roughing penalty after stepping in. The sequence gave Binghamton a quick opportunity with the man advantage, and Bondarenko wasted little time taking advantage. Columbus briefly answered at 10:41 when Lare Pahtayken finished an odd-man rush, scoring on a two-on-one with Barrow and Alex Storjohann earning assists. The goal came during four-on-four play and cut the Binghamton lead to 3-1. The River Dragons had a chance to build some momentum, but Burke came up with a crucial save later in the period. During Cullen’s slashing minor at 15:36, Yaroslav Yevdokimov stole the puck from Scott Ramaekers near the Columbus blue line and broke in alone on Burke. The Binghamton goaltender denied the opportunity with a huge stop, preserving the Black Bears’ three-goal cushion. Binghamton then took full advantage of its special-teams opportunities late in the frame. At 14:42, Stubbs scored his second goal of the night on the power play, assisted by Bondarenko and Dabrowski, to make it 4-1. The Black Bears struck again in the closing seconds. With Columbus facing a five-on-three disadvantage, Dabrowski scored at 19:40, with Ramaekers and Stubbs collecting the assists. The goal sent Binghamton into the second intermission with a commanding 5-1 lead. The second period was also marked by a series of penalties and physical play, including multiple roughing calls. Cullen received a slashing minor at 15:36 and, at 19:19, was assessed a 10-minute misconduct for abuse of officials, a game misconduct for abuse of officials, and a high-sticking minor. Additional roughing penalties were assessed to Storjohann, Doyle and Barrow during the late-period sequence. Binghamton outshot Columbus 14-13 in the period, bringing the two-period total to 33-18 in favor of the Black Bears. Third Period: Add 3 More for 8 in 3rdColumbus made a change in goal to begin the third period, bringing in former Binghamton championship-winning goaltender Nolan Egbert to relieve Wakelyn. The River Dragons needed a spark, and Pahtayken gave them one just 3:03 into the period, scoring his second goal of the night off assists from Austin Daae and Barrow to cut the deficit to 5-2. Any hope of a Columbus comeback was short-lived. At 6:38, Gorman scored on the power play, with Dabrowski and Bondarenko picking up the assists to restore Binghamton’s four-goal advantage at 6-2. Gorman struck again at 12:26, this time at even strength. Ford and Stubbs assisted on the goal as the Black Bears continued to pile on the offense. Less than two minutes later, Bondarenko added another at 14:10, finishing a play set up by Stubbs and Dabrowski to make it 8-2. The third period featured more penalties and physical play, including two Columbus bench minors for too many men on the ice, as well as unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and a fighting major apiece for Binghamton’s Derek Klein and Columbus’ Barrow at 16:45. Binghamton finished the night with 46 shots on goal to Columbus’ 29. The Black Bears converted four of their 10 power-play opportunities, while the River Dragons went 0-for-5. Offensive Outburst Sends Black Bears Home With a SplitThe Black Bears answered Friday’s narrow defeat with a dominant performance, closing their season series against Columbus with an 8-2 victory and improving to 4-1-0. Stubbs’ six-point night headlined the offensive effort, while Bondarenko and Dabrowski each recorded five points. The new-look first line featuring Jordan alongside Bondarenko and Stubbs got Binghamton on the board, and the Black Bears’ power play played a major role in pulling away. Burke also delivered an important performance in his second professional start, making key saves—including the breakaway stop on Yevdokimov—to prevent Columbus from gaining momentum when the game was still within reach. Binghamton leaves Columbus with a weekend split and eight points through five games. The Black Bears remain second in the Atlantic Division, with the undefeated Blue Ridge Bobcats holding the top spot after their 6-1 win over Watertown. The season series with the River Dragons is now complete, and the Black Bears will look to carry Saturday’s offensive momentum into their next contest. |
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