Game #4 of the Calder Cup Final was easily Binghamton’s best in the series. Through the first three games, the Houston Aeros had done a masterful job at handling the offensive dynamos from New York State – they kept Bingo’s shot totals low, didn’t allow them to generate much speed, kept the game simple, but first and foremost, they outworked the B-Sens. Yes indeed, through the first half of this final series, the Binghamton Senators obviously knew they were facing a difficult opponent, but ultimately, they were their own worst enemy; head coach Kurt Kleinendorst would be the first in line to tell you that. Kleinendorst would also be the first to tell you how complete and sound of a game his team played on Friday night. “I think the Binghamton Senators showed up tonight, for sure. That’s what we needed. That’s what we were looking for. All-around solid effort. No passengers. I don’t know how much the changes with the lines mattered, but we responded. We responded in every way. Now what we’ve done is turned it into a best-of-three. Two of three are on the road, but we’ve been a pretty good road team. I thought it was a fun game to be a part of. I think the fans enjoyed it. I know my guys enjoyed it. It was fun to be behind the bench. This was one of those games that you don’t get too often. And we even got, from my end, the right result.” (Quotation courtesy of Joy Lindsay).
Simply put, the B-Sens were better in every area – The re-jigged lines came into play early as the team scored the first goal early in first period, courtesy of Cody Bass (with special credit to Colin Greening). They had their first multi-goal period of the series when Corey Locke roofed one on a 5-on-3 goal late in the period. They peppered the Aeros with shots and wound up out-shooting them by a wide margin 37-21, another first in the series. They kept the pressure on throughout, Derek Smith added to their lead early in third to make 3-0, a score that would stand. Robin Lehner was perfect in locking down his, and the team’s, third doughnut of the post-season. The power-play had a goal, the penalty killers were perfect, etc., etc. You get the idea.
It definitely had the appearance of a “statement game” – the statement being, “we were a little late to the party, but we’re here now. Let’s see how you handle us at our best.” Will this statement bleed into tonight’s game (which is set to begin imminently)? We will find out soon. The winner of tonight’s game #5 will find themselves one win away from AHL supremacy.
Go Bingo Go!
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