BINGHAMTON, NY – The visiting Toronto Marlies scored four goals in the third period to defeat the Binghamton Devils, 4-1, on Saturday night in front of 3,743 fans at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Devils converted on their first power play of the night for a 1-0 lead 10:59 into the game. Nick Lappin sent a one-touch pass out to Jacob MacDonald who immediately slid the puck over to Joe Blandisi in the right wing circle who let a shot go that beat goaltender Calvin Pickard. Blandisi’s second goal of the year had assists from Lappin and MacDonald and the Devils led 1-0 after one period with the Marlies holding the shot advantage, 12-11.
Each team held one another out of the net in the second period with the Marlies leading in shots, 26-12.
Toronto scored four goals in the third period to complete another comeback win over the Devils. Andreas Johnsson took the puck in the offensive zone and ripped a slap shot from the hash marks by goaltender Ken Appleby for his sixth of the year. Johnsson’s tally came 7:04 into the third frame to tie the game at one with assists from Justin Holl and Miro Aaltonen.
Just 25 seconds later, Ben Smith gave Toronto a 2-1 lead and his goal held up as the game-winning goal. Smith beat Appleby for his seventh goal of the year at 7:29 with helpers from Andrew Nielsen and and Holl.
Smith struck again to give the Marlies a two-goal advantage with 6:33 left in regulation time. Nikita Soshnikov put a shot on net that that Appleby stopped, however, Smith gathered the rebound and lifted puck by the left arm of Appleby for a 3-1 lead. The goal was Smith’s second of the period and eighth of the year with Soshnikov collecting the lone assist.
Kasperi Kapanen added a goal with just 3:14 left in the game to push the Marlies out to a 4-1 lead with his third of the season. Kapanen beat Appleby on a secondary chance with assists from Chris Mueller and Calle Rosen.
Pickard earned the victory stopping 16 of 17 and Appleby had the loss with 35 saves.
The Binghamton Devils are on the road Wednesday in Rochester before returning home next Friday and Saturday. Less than 500 tickets remain for Friday’s game against Rochester at 7:05 p.m. Call the Devils’ front office at 607-733-7367 for more information.
