B-Sens crunched by Syracuse

12/26/2012 (Updated 10:54:07 PM)

BINGHAMTON -- A slow start would ultimately doom the Binghamton Senators as they were defeated by the Syracuse Crunch, 5-3, in the fifth of eight meetings between the two teams this season.

The Crunch struck first in the game at 18:54 of the first period. Defenseman Mark Barberio converted on a five-on-three power play. Cory Conacher and Brett Connolly were credited with the assists. The Crunch exited the ice for first intermission with a 1-0 lead and a 12-2 shots advantage.

Syracuse doubled their lead just 28 seconds in the second frame as Conacher scored his eleventh goal of the season. Defenseman Radko Gudas, assisted by J.T. Wyman, gave the Crunch a 3-0 advantage at 9:51. The B-Sens would eventually get on the board at 11:07 on forward Stephane Da Costas fourth ringer of the season with helpers from Mike Hoffman and Jakob Silfverberg.

The Crunch regained their three-goal edge at 1:02 of the third period on a power play goal by J.T. Brown. Ondrei Palat and Conacher were credited with the assists. The B-Sens came back with a power play goal of their own at 5:23 on Silfverbergs twelfth goal of the year with helpers from Hugh Jessiman and Benoit. At 11:35, Jean-Gabriel Pageau beat Syracuse goalie Dustin Tokarski with an assist from Jessiman. Syracuses Mike Angelidis, assisted by Wyman, scored on an empty Binghamton net to secure a 5-3 victory for the Crunch.

Tokarski faced 20 Binghamton shots, saving 17, to earn the win. Ben Bishop made 39 saves on 43 shots and came away with the loss in his second start against the Crunch this season.

The B-Sens will hit the road this weekend to make a stop at the Albany Devils on Friday, December 28, followed by a match against the Rochester Americans on Saturday, December 29. Both games are set to start at 7:05 p.m.

(Courtesy B-Sens)

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