Thompson returns in Senators loss to Hershey

December 10, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Binghamton Senators News Release


They gave a valiant effort, but in the end the Binghamton Senators could not complete the comeback on Friday night and fell to the Hershey Bears by a score of 6-4 in front of 3,435 fans at the Arena. Senators goaltender Billy Thompson returned to action for the first time since suffering a groin injury in practice on Nov. 18.

Hershey opened the scoring 5:01 into the opening period when Binghamton goaltender Kelly Guard misplayed the puck and it bounced into the open net. Louis Robitaille was credited with the goal, his third of the year.

Binghamton fired right back to tie the game 1-1 when Steve Martins beat a Hershey defender to the front of the net and scored his eighth goal of the season. Jeff Heerema and Lance Ward each picked up an assist on the goal.

Hershey then managed to put some separation between them and the Sens heading into the dressing room thanks to a penalty-shot goal by Tomas Fleischmann and a power-play tally coming from Eric Fehr.

Binghamton attempted to shake things up for the middle frame by relieving Guard in favor of Billy Thompson. The period saw the clubs alternate goals for a total of five scores. Binghamton got goals from Grant Potulny, Jeff Heerema and Denis Hamel while Jared Aulin and Boyd Gordon each netted one for Hershey. The teams headed into the second intermission with the Bear leading 5-4.

The third period went scoreless for both clubs until Louis Robitaille recorded his second goal of the night with Thompson on the bench in favor of an extra attacker for the Sens.

Guard faced only nine shots in his one period of action. He made six saves. In the last two periods, Thompson turned away 15 of 17 offerings and was saddled with the loss. Kirk Daubenspeck made 29 saves on 33 shots in the victory.

Binghamton was two for nine on the power play while the Bears finished the contest two for eight. Tonight marked the first time in franchise history that Binghamton has allowed two short-handed goals in one game.

On a side note, Binghamton forward Joe Cullen recorded his third assist of the season with his father in attendance. Cullen assisted on Grant Potulny's goal.

The B-Sens return to action Saturday night when they face off against the Rochester Americans. The game is scheduled for a 7:05p.m. start time and great seats are still available. Call (607) 722-SENS for ticket information.



American Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central