BINGHAMTON, NY – After a few quiet games, it was the Houston Aeros’ top line that made the difference in their 2-1 win over Binghamton Wednesday night in game three of the Calder Cup finals. With the win, the Aeros take a 2-1 series lead and remaining games are evenly split between Houston and Binghamton. Questions about the small size of the Binghamton ice surface were put to rest early as the Aeros adjusted quickly. “It did take a little bit of time to adjust to the ice surface and the tempo of the game. The first period was a little bit scrambly at times; the second period I thought we definitely settled down,” said Aeros coach Mike Yeo. “I was impressed with how our guys got used to things out there.” Likewise, questions about the intimidation factor of Broome County Veterans’ Memorial Arena, which was sold out and filled to the rafters, were dampened early. The Aeros got on the board at just 1:08 in the first with a goal from Jon DiSalvatore. Goalie Robin Lehner made the initial pad save by the post, but DiSalvatore hacked away at the puck until it popped over the toe of Lehner’s pad. Jared Spurgeon and Patrick O’Sullivan received assists on the goal. After a fairly even first period, the Aeros found another gear in the second and put up 11 shots to the Senators’ 5. A handful of those shots came on a mad scramble in Lehner’s crease, during which Nate Prosser was able to punch one home for Houston at 12:51 to buy some insurance for the Aeros. DiSalvatore and O’Sullivan earned the assists on the goal and cemented one of the best games for that line in several outings. O’Sullivan in particular had 6 shots, set up two goals, and sparkled defensively. “Those guys, that entire line, I thought they played the game the right way tonight. They did a great job of defending and getting to the offensive zone and they were a tough line to play against,” said Yeo. Binghamton got on the board early in the third with a goal from Ryan Keller on the power play that was deflected past goalie Matt Hackett. In one of a couple of controversial officiating calls, the Aeros pleaded the goal was off a high stick, but the marker stood. Late in the third, Binghamton narrowed a shot count gap that had the Aeros nearly doubling them up in shots. The Senators threw everything they had at the Aeros net to try and even the score but couldn’t find the back of the net. After a bounce off the crossbar and down, the puck appeared to stay ahead of the goal line, but possibly get knocked in during the ensuing scramble. “Koho (referee Terry Koharski) was right there. We looked; we really couldn’t see. I really wouldn’t matter. But, referee right behind the net, called it off all the way, so must not have been,” said Binghamton coach Kevin Kleinendorst. Fans didn’t agree and threw food and drinks on the ice after the final buzzer in protest of the call. The AHL currently does not have any form of replay. Binghamton had several more chances in the final minute with Lehner pulled for the extra man, but the Aeros kept it out of the net for the win. “Too bad we couldn’t play that way the whole game,” Kleinendorst said of his team’s late third period push. “We’ve got to give credit to Houston. They’re playing it tight and we’ve got to work for every inch, but at the same time, I know this group, I know my guys, and we’re not quite where we should be or where we need to be, obviously.” The Senators get another chance at home Friday night, the first of back-to-back games before the series potentially heads back to Houston. Contact Heather.Galindo@prohockeynews.com
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