| The Binghamton
Black Bears (33-5-1) defeated the Port Huron Prowlers
(22-13-0) in Michigan on Friday night in a very tightly played game
by the score of 5-3. A tight, playoff-style opening frame between
the top two teams in the Empire Division stayed scoreless after
twenty minutes, with Binghamton holding a slight 9–8 shots
advantage. Both teams defended the middle of the ice well, limiting
high-danger chances and keeping the goaltenders from facing
sustained pressure. While the puck stayed out of the net, the
physicality steadily increased as the period went along and it
finally boiled over at the buzzer. Port Huron began the middle frame
with a lengthy two-man advantage and capitalized quickly. With
Jacob Shankar (tripping) and Austin
D’Orazio (roughing & unsportsmanlike conduct) serving
penalties, Blake Anderson opened the scoring just
1:16 into the period on the 5-on-3. Moments later, still on the
extended power play sequence, Reggie Milette struck
at 2:03 to give the Prowlers a 2–0 lead. Binghamton responded midway
through the period. At 11:55, Ivan Bondarenko finished a pass from
CJ Stubbs for his 12th goal of the season to cut
the deficit to one. The equalizer came just 33 seconds later when
Gavin Yates netted his 22nd of the year at 12:28.
The momentum continued to swing as Binghamton took the lead only 25
seconds after that. At 12:53, Jacob Shankar
converted a rebound opportunity to make it 3–2. Port Huron answered
late in the frame. With 1:15 remaining, a shot from Nicholas
Favaro was redirected in front by player-head coach
Matt Graham, tying the game 3–3 heading into the final
period. The final period remained tight deep into regulation with
neither side finding the net for more than sixteen minutes.
Binghamton broke the deadlock late in the game after sustained
offensive zone pressure. Following a strong effort by Scott
Ramaekers to hold the puck inside the zone, he moved it
across the ice to Mac Jansen, who fired a slap shot
past Reid Cooper at 16:43 to give the Black Bears a 4–3 lead. Port
Huron pulled its goaltender for the extra attacker in the closing
seconds, but Jansen secured the result by scoring into the empty net
with 9 seconds remaining (19:51), sealing the 5–3 victory. The
victory earns three standings points and clinches a playoff berth as
the Black Bears continue their defense of the Commissioner’s Cup
championship. |
