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Binghamton
So much for rolling out the red carpet for the Devils.
The current franchise of the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena didn't make next season's tenants feel at home Saturday night. The Binghamton Senators, who are headed to Belleville, Ontario, once the current schedule plays out, thrashed the Albany Devils 6-2 in front of a near-sellout crowd of 4,637.
Hockey fans in the Southern Tier got a glimpse at some of the players who will be Binghamton Devils in 2017-18, but they clearly were backing their B-Sens.
"For everyone to stick with us and to be in our corner and to support us, it means an awful lot to me," said Senators coach Kurt Kleinendorst, who has coached in Binghamton for three seasons.
The B-Sens gave their fans plenty to cheer. They scored twice in each period as Devils goaltender Ken Appleby endured his worst beating of the season.
Over the past four years, Albany is 3-10 in this building and has been outscored 47-24.
"It's just one of those buildings where crazy things seem to happen," Devils coach Rick Kowalsky said. "They always have. The games seem to take on a little life of their own sometimes."
SENATORS 6, DEVILS 2
Albany 1 0 1 — 2
Binghamton 2 2 2 — 6
First period — 1, Albany, Sexton 15 (Coleman), :34. 2, Binghamton, Blunden 5 (Nehring, Perron), 5:20. 3, Binghamton, Flanagan 5 (Hagel, Gagne), 11:42. Penalties—Sexton, Alb (boarding), 6:51; Rooney, Alb (slashing), 17:43.
Second period — 4, Binghamton, Flanagan 6 (unassisted), 8:00. 5, Binghamton, Akeson 6 (Paul, Rumble), 13:13. Penalties—Mozik, Alb (roughing), 13:50; Akeson, Bng (hooking), 14:33; Coleman, Alb (hooking), 15:47; Scarlett, Alb, minor-major-misconduct (instigating, fighting), 15:47; Sieloff, Bng, minor-major (roughing, fighting), 15:47; Quenneville, Alb, minor-major-misconduct (instigating, fighting), 18:46; Gagne, minor-major (interference, fighting), 18:46.
Third period — 6, Binghamton, Blunden 6 (Nehring), 2:00. 7, Binghamton, Akeson 7 (Bailey, Rumble), 8:46. 8, Albany, MacDonald 3 (Lappin), 13:43. Penalties—Harpur, Bng (cross-checking), 6:12; Gazdic, Alb (roughing), 9:34; Sieloff, Bng (roughing), 9:34.
Shots on goal — Albany 12-9-14—35. Binghamton 8-6-8—22.
Power-play opportunities — Albany 0 of 1; Binghamton 0 of 5.
Goalies—Albany, Appleby 13-8-0 (22 shots-16 saves). Binghamton, Driedger 9-8-2 (35-33). T—2:22. A—4,637.
There certainly were signs, figuratively and literally, within the building that the Senators' 15-year run here is ending.
B-Sens merchandise was marked down considerably, a "Blow-Out Sale," according to the signs. Devils "season ticket memberships" for next season were advertised throughout.
"The people are really dedicated to hockey here in Binghamton," said Theresa Prozeralik, who has been involved with the booster club here going back to when the Rangers were the AHL affiliate in the 1990s. "They'll support the team that's here."
They couldn't be blamed if they wanted to hop on the Devils' bandwagon early. After all, Binghamton entered the night with the lowest point total in the eight-team North Division, 15 fewer than second-place Albany.
There were a few audible cheers when the Devils' Ben Sexton scored 34 seconds into the game, but those changed to roars when the home team starting lighting up the scoreboard.
The Senators announced their move to Belleville in September.
"Those of us that have been here, initially you're very disappointed," Kleinendorst said. "We do all have fond moments and memories here in Binghamton. At the end of the day, we've played in a lot of different places. I've coached in a lot of different places. If you would give me a choice, I would stay, but Ottawa wants to move to Belleville. That's where we're going. I'm sure we'll settle and be just fine."
Kowalsky has been in this building numerous times in his seven-year coaching tenure for Albany, but this was the first time since the official announcement of the Devils' relocation was made Tuesday.
"You can't help but think about it," he said, "just because it's out there. It shouldn't be a distraction. The media attention that they're getting down here as far as announcing it ... this will pass as we get moving, but you think about it more now that it's official."
Kleinendorst, who spent four seasons coaching in the Devils' organization, had some advice for the team that is coming in.
"I know Sergei (Brylin, assistant), and I know Rick, and I know some players over there," Kleinendorst said, "and I've told them they're lucky. They're coming into a good situation. They're coming into a great community. Nobody can really understand the charm of Binghamton and what Binghamton has to offer until you spend time here. I can speak to that because my time here has been tremendous."
pdougherty@timesunion.com • 518-454-5416 • @Pete_Dougherty
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