HOUSTON, Texas – It was so close, they could taste it. One win Tuesday night. One win Thursday night. And the Calder Cup would come home to Houston. But it was not meant to be, as the Binghamton Senators beat the Aeros 3-2 in game six and won the Calder Cup for the first time in the history of the franchise. Houston played their game, putting up more shots than Binghamton, but could not slow down the powerful Binghamton offense, especially on the power play. “I wish it was a different outcome for a lot of reasons, but more than anything else, for the guys in that locker room. They poured their hearts and souls into this and I wish that they got what I feel, I believe that they deserve,” Aeros coach Mike Yeo said. “But having said that, congratulations to Binghamton. They’re definitely worthy champions.” After an early second period goal by Binghamton’s Roman Wick, the Aeros scored two power play goals to take the lead going into the third. Jon DiSalvatore tipped in a shot from Max Noreau for his 7th goal of the playoffs, and then JM Daoust scored his third goal in two games to put the Aeros up by a goal. The lead only lasted 3:26 into the third as Bobby Butler scored a power play goal with a shot up the slot that beat Aeros goalie Matt Hackett cleanly. Then, with Robbie Earl in the box for high sticking, Ryan Keller punched a shot in over Hackett’s shoulder through the tiniest of gaps. Houston doubled up Binghamton in shots in the third but couldn’t tie it up before the final horn sounded and the Senators bench erupted with jubilation. In addition to the scoring prowess of the Senators, 19-year-old rookie goaltender, Robin Lehner, who had a rollercoaster season, found his stride in the playoffs, earning him the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy for the most valuable player of the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs. “It’s unbelievable. All you naysayers and critics, you can go hide somewhere,” said Lehner. “You can never take this away from me. I’m not saying I’m going to go play in the NHL. That’s a long road ahead. But you can never take away from me that I’m a Calder Cup champion and that I got the MVP here.” For Houston, the “gut-wrenching” feelings are combined with pride in what the team accomplished over 104 games. “Some guys, to think of where they came from this year, and what they’ve done. You could point to mistakes that players made tonight or in the series,” said Yeo. “But without every one of those guys, we’re not here. I’m not answering these questions, because those guys, it’s amazing what they did this year.” Aeros captain Jon DiSalvatore took solace in being one of only two teams left playing. “We were two games away from winning the Calder Cup,” said DiSalvatore. “There’s 28 other teams that are sitting home right now wishing they were in our situation, and it takes a special group of guys to get to this place.” Contact Heather.Galindo@prohockeynews.com
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