BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Casey Bailey recorded two goals and Francis Perron added two assists as the Binghamton Senators held the Hershey Bears scoreless in a 3-0 win on opening night in front of 4,479 fans at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday night.
Casey Bailey tallied the Binghamton Senators’ first goal of the season after an amazing set up from Francis Perron. Perron started tangled in a battle between the two offensive zone circles before finding Bailey sitting to his left and chipping the puck to him. Bailey then sent a one-timer off the inside of the right post and in for the 1-0 lead. Perron collected the lone assist on the goal at 15:27 of the first period.
The connection of Perron and Bailey came through again for a two-goal lead in the second period. After taking the puck in the neutral zone, Perron went in all alone on a breakaway and was denied by Hershey goaltender Vitek Vanecek. Bailey followed up and sent in the rebound for a 2-0 lead 9:05 of the middle period.
With the net empty, Mike Blunden sent a shot down the ice, off the post, and over the goal line for the 3-0 lead with only 46 seconds left in the game. Goaltender Chris Driedger stopped all 25 shots he faced in the shutout.
Binghamton hits the road next Friday night to battle the Albany Devils. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. and fans can tune in on U.S. Country 96.9 FM, 680-AM, and AHL Live.
