Binghamton Senators’ physical play results in a preseason loss
The Gee-Gees men’s hockey team hit the ice on Sept. 30 for their final game before the start of the regular season.
With a large crowd on hand at the Minto Sports Complex, the Gee-Gees battled the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators hard, eventually leading to a 3–2 loss.
Even though the Gees were coming off a big 7–1 win on the road against Royal Military College, they were faced with a tough task as the Senators’ boasted a lineup that included the likes of ex-NHL enforcer Zach Stortini.
As soon as the first whistle blew, the physical play started. The Gee-Gees kicked off the action with a breakaway and rebound attempt with less than a minute in, but former Boston University goalie Matt O’Connor stood tall for the save.
Both teams brought good offensive energy early on. The Gees got the first power-play opportunity of the game with 15 minutes left in the first frame. The Senators didn’t let the Garnet and Gray set up and killed the penalty with ease.
Shortly afterwards, Gee-Gees goalie Anthony Brodeur made a couple key saves to halt the away team’s attack and keep the game scoreless.
The Senators then capitalized on a defensive zone turnover to find the back of the net with 3:01 to go in the first period. The period ended with an answering goal by Gees forward Kevin Domingue, beating the Sens goalie with a perfect shot over his glove.
Binghamton turned up the pressure and finally capitalized on one of their chances in chipping a puck over a sprawled Brodeur to take a 2–1 lead.
Backup Gee-Gees goaltender Graham Hunt entered the game following a good showing by Brodeur.
The Senators continued their success killing penalties while the Garnet and Grey could not generate any offence. The score remained at 2–1 up until the end of the second period.
Binghamton quickly converted a nice passing play into a goal only two minutes into the third period, pushing their lead to 3–1.
The Garnet and Gray showed some good defensive effort and established some pressure leading to a goal by left winger Cody Drover. The Newfoundland native fired home a breakaway goal with four minutes remaining to give the Gees a puncher’s chance in the game.
Ottawa pulled their goalie with a minute to go looking for the edge with an extra attacker.
Head coach Patrick Grandmaître even called a timeout with seven seconds remaining to draw up a play. Unfortunately, the Gees were unsuccessful and the game ended in a 3–2 loss.
Even though the physical play of a professional team like the Senators was slightly overwhelming for the Gees, the team still has plenty to be proud of heading into the regular season. After all, not many collegiate hockey teams would fare as well against such significant competition.
The Gee-Gees will have their first home regular season game in two years on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Minto Sports Complex, as they take on University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
