BINGHAMTON BLACK BEARS at DANBURY HAT TRICKS
HAT TRICKS, MCKITRICK PREVAIL 5-4 IN OVERTIME OVER BINGHAMTON
by Doug Lattuca
Danbury, CT - Daniel McKitrick’s game-winner at 2:47 of overtime was the difference in a 5-4 Hat Tricks victory over the Black Bears on Alumni Night in Danbury. The Hat Tricks have won seven of the last nine and five of the first seven during their nine-game homestand.
The Hat Tricks started the scoring less than three minutes into the first period. Forward Jonny Ruiz snapped the puck through the pad of Binghamton’s netminder Nolan Egbert to secure an early lead. But just 21 seconds later, Binghamton struck back with a tap-in goal from Jesse Anderson off a pass from Gavin Yates. The Black Bears snatched their first lead of the night with a nearly identical goal at 11:27. Anderson edged the puck inside the left post to push the Black Bears in front. At 13:10 in the first, forward Michael Falanga tied the score at two on a tap-in goal of his own on a cross-slot feed from Nick DiNicola.
3:56 into the second period, Danbury forward Chase Harwell slung a puck in the slot clanking it off of a Black Bear's skate and into the back of the net to give the Hat Tricks a 3-2 lead. Just shy of two minutes later, Harwell put Danbury up by two after lifting the puck under the bar and over the shoulder of Egbert. Binghamton answered at 7:13 when Yates snuck the puck around the leg of a sprawling Conor McCollum to cut the deficit to one. Black Bears forward Jestin Somero tied the game at four with under seven minutes to play in regulation erasing the two-goal deficit.
Despite Binghamton holding the momentum, Danbury forced overtime and McKitrick found some open ice near the right circle and sniped it past Egbert for the game-winning goal.
McCollum made 33 saves in the win.
The Hat Tricks finish off the weekend on Sunday against Elmira. The puck drops at 3 p.m.
BINGHAMTON BATTLES BACK FOR 1 POINT
by Brooks Hill
Danbury, CT - The Binghamton Black Bears fell in overtime 5-4 to the Danbury Hat Tricks on Saturday night. Jestin Somero scored late in the third period to make sure the Black Bears secured a point in the standings.
A high-scoring first period entertained the fans inside the Danbury Ice Arena. Ruiz got the Hat Tricks on the board first on the first shot of the game, a rare occurrence this season in the series matchup. Tyson Kirkby answered back 20 seconds later, tying the game and partially silencing the rowdy crowd. Jesse Anderson picked up his 8th of the season, giving Binghamton their only lead at 2-1. Danbury was able to convert on their second odd-man rush, as Michael Falanga evened the score at 2-2. After one period the score was tied and shots even at 14 apiece.
Danbury became the benefactors of multiple unlucky bounces for Binghamton. Chase Harwell was able to score twice in the middle period, giving the home team a two-goal advantage. Gavin Yates though, was able to slide some momentum back in favor of the visitors, scoring his 16th of the season. Danbury played a better period, but Binghamton only trailed 4-3.
Neither side committed a penalty in the third penalty, another rare occurrence in the season series. Jestin Somero scored the only goal of the frame late wi th only 6:41 left in regulation time. Binghamton forced OT, but Danbury was the team that skated away with the extra point. Daniel McKitrick outwaited the goalie, who was knocked down by contact. The officials reviewed the play and goal stood. Danbury wins 5-4.
After two games on the road this weekend, the Black Bears return home to Visions Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday, March 15th to take on the Mississippi Seawolves. The contest will mark the first of four-straight games at home for Binghamton.
| 
FPHL 
