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Chris Wideman Helps Chris Driedger With GWG In OT Past Syracuse Crunch

By Jeff Ulmer

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The Binghamton Senators participated in one of their best performances of the season and came out on top of a goaltending duel between rookie Chris Driedger and Kristers Gudlevskis, as defenseman Chris Wideman scores the game winner in overtime giving his team a 3-2 win. Driedger looked good in stopping 39 shots for his third AHL career victory in as many games this season, but Syracuse countered with a fine performance from Gudlevskis as well.

GAME RECAP

Driedger makes the butterfly save on Syracuse rookie Brayden Point to begin the first period. Senators with the early jump scores the game’s first with his 24th tapping in the rebound past Gudlevskis on a faceoff push from Carter Camper for a 1-0 lead. With forward Ryan Dzingel in the box, Binghamton does a really effective job on the penalty kill and having several scoring opportunities in the process.

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Crunch Captain Mike Angelidis would even up the contest at 12:32 with his snap shot catching Senators’ defenseman Troy Rutkowski just enough in redirecting the puck by Driedger’s glove side. Shortly after, Binghamton regains the lead on a power play tally when defenseman Alex Grant finds Cole Schneider all alone by the corner of the cage, and with his quick pass to Camper in front creates a one on one with Gudlevskis, as Carter dekes from his forehand to his backhand and nets his 14th of the season for a 2-1 Senators lead. Syracuse defenseman Joey Mormina getting burned on the play with two forwards completely alone in front.

Syracuse ties it up just 1:23 into the middle frame as forward Ryan Martindale’s hard, high wrister gets by Driedger’s blocker side as the rookie somehow didn’t pick the puck up after the shot was taken. Then Gudlevskis misplays the puck from behind his net and Schneider slaps at the open net but the netminder makes a twisting save in the blue paint as he lunges towards the front of his cage saving a goal. Syracuse in front with shots 28-19 after two.

Senators’ tough guy Darren Kramer nails the post as the third period begins. With the team putting pressure on the Crunch, Gudlevskis the story so far with two quick saves by forward’s Buddy Robinson and Derek Grant, then getting a blocker on Brad Mills in close. Driedger just as good with his kick save on defenseman Jake Dotchin’s slapper from the point, but the Sens keep pressing having momentum on their side.

With 34.5 left in the third, Max McCormick is called for hooking giving the Crunch their fifth power play of the night, which carries over into the overtime. Binghamton counters with a pair of defenseman on the four on three in OT, with Fredrik Claesson, Alex Grant and Derek Grant and kill it.

As Prince accepts a home-run pass and is one on one with Gudlevskis, the goalie comes up with the save as Prince tried shooting for the five hole. Gudlevskis comes up in pain after the play is stopped as he favors his leg, but stays in after a brief delay. Soon after, Dzingel skates into the zone with the puck down the middle amongst traffic and finds Wideman in relief skating on the wing, and his shot hits the far side of the net for his 17th of the season and the game’s winner, as Binghamton slides past Syracuse 3-2.

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS

  • Senators played very well as they had some jump and prevented the Crunch’s ability to clinch a playoff spot tonight.
  • Driedger looked really solid with the exception of that second goal as he looked to have lost track of the puck. Needs to work on his rebounds, but was sound positionally with quick reflexes and his stick work is there.
  • Scott Greenham served the role of back up as this combination should be in nets the rest of the way with Driedger carrying the workload, as veteran Peter Mannino‘s days are most likely finished in net for Binghamton.
  • Schneider made some great passes that stood out in leading the offense. Really solid numbers for him this season as he has played well on the first line with Camper and Prince.
  • Wideman with the game winner celebrated by riding his stick in-between his legs halfway down the length of the ice before forming a circle with his team mates. Haven’t seen that move in years as they were one happy bunch in winning over their closest rivals.
  • Binghamton looked awesome on the PK as they held the Crunch with no goals in five chances led by Robinson and both Grant’s.
  • Shots end up 41-32 Syracuse.

B-SENS LINES

Forwards – Prince-Camper-Schneider, Dzingel-D Grant-Robinson, Kramer-McCormick-Mills, Guptill-Hobbs-Thompson

Defense – Claesson-Lepine, Johnson-Grant, Rutkowski-Wideman

Out – Matt Tassone, Patrick Mullen, Mike Sdao and David Dziurzynski, injured. Danny New, healthy.

UP NEXT

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms arrive on Friday for a 7:05 pm faceoff at The Arena.

Next: Goaltender Chris Driedger Sent To Binghamton

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