The Binghamton
Black Bears (46-6-2) dominated the
Watertown Wolves (14-34-6) in another game, wining the
final game in the 17 regular season series, 9-1. The Black Bears and
Wolves wasted no time setting the tone in their 17th and final
meeting of the season, with early chaos and special teams playing a
major role. Despite being shorthanded, the Wolves struck first just
2:23 into the period as former Black Bear Darion Benchich
capitalized on a break the other way, beating Connor
McAnanama to give Watertown a 1-0 lead. Binghamton
responded quickly. At the 5:24 mark, Dan Wieber
fired a shot from the high slot that was redirected in front by
Ivan Bondarenko, tying the game at 1-1 and shifting
momentum back toward the Black Bears. The Black Bears continued to
press, and at 8:38, Mac Jansen buried his 32nd goal
of the season off a feed from Bondarenko and Austin D’Orazio,
giving Binghamton their first lead of the night at 2-1. Late in the
period, the Black Bears extended their advantage. With just 2:22
remaining, Zac Sirota finished off a setup from
Wieber and Scott Ramaekers to make it 3-1 heading
into the intermission. The period featured heavy physical play and
frequent trips to the penalty box for both sides, but Binghamton’s
ability to respond after the early shorthanded goal proved to be the
difference.
The Black Bears continued to build on their
first-period momentum, adding to their lead in a strong middle frame
performance. Binghamton struck at 7:33 of the period under unique
circumstances. With a delayed penalty coming against Watertown and
Connor McAnanama pulled for the extra attacker, the
Black Bears capitalized before the power play even officially began.
Gehrett Sargis found the back of the net for his 16th goal of the
season, finishing a setup from Kyle Stephan to
extend the lead to 4-1. The Black Bears weren’t done there. With
6:13 remaining in the period, Emerson Emery added
to the advantage, scoring his 4th goal of the season off a feed from
Jacob Shankar to make it a 5-1 game. Watertown
pushed back with a slight edge in shots during the period, but
Binghamton remained opportunistic, converting on their chances while
maintaining control of the scoreboard.
The Black Bears left
no doubt in the final frame, erupting offensively and pulling away
in dominant fashion to close out the regular season series.
Binghamton wasted little time adding to their lead, as Zac
Sirota struck just 5:04 into the period, finishing a play
from Gehrett Sargis and Kyle Stephan
to make it 6-1. Special teams took over from there. After a stretch
of penalties and escalating physical play between the two teams, the
Black Bears capitalized repeatedly on the man advantage. At 13:38,
Nick Swain buried a power play goal off feeds from
CJ Stubbs and Mac Jansen. Just
over two minutes later, Kyle Stephan added another
power play tally at 15:44, finishing a setup from Swain and
Ivan Bondarenko. Binghamton wasn’t finished yet. With 2:17
remaining, Scott Ramaekers capped off the scoring
with yet another power play goal, assisted by Swain and Stephan,
extending the lead to 9-1. The period featured multiple penalties
and a heated sequence midway through, including matching roughing
minors and a fighting major, but the Black Bears maintained control
throughout. Binghamton outshot Watertown 17-5 in the third,
completely shutting the door on any chance of a comeback. |
