KIRKBY'S HAT TRICK STUNTS DASHERS LATE SURGE (11/8)

Binghamton, NY - After a hectic week of travel, the Dashers looked to turn their focus back to hockey and find their second win of the season on the road. Standing in their way was the Empire Division’s best, the Binghamton Black Bears. After 60 minutes of an offensive slugfest, Tyson Kirkby’s hat trick would prove to be the difference and the Dasher’s would suffer yet another defeat. 

Period one began in one of the more unorthodox ways you will see this season. The Dashers were assessed a Pre Game Warm Up Violation penalty to put them shorthanded from the get go. In front of a near sellout, the Bears wasted no time bringing the building to life with a Scott Ramaekers snipe over the shoulder of Rutherford to open the scoring at 1-0 just 74 seconds in. Binghamton also rang a pair of shots off the post in the first 5 minutes, forcing the Dashers back on their heels early. Special teams have been a consistent problem for the Bucks this season, with a penalty kill hovering around just a measly 70% coming into the contest. Once again, the kryptonite emerged, with Niko Reimann getting booked for a high stick with 6 minutes remaining. On the powerplay, Bingo cashed in with an Austin Thompson short side rip to double the margin at 2-0. Searching for solutions, the Dashers caught a break when captain Tyson Kirkby was sent off for roughing with 95 seconds left. On the powerplay, Marian Pazitka, a new addition from Motor City, made an early name for himself with a beautiful shot for a rebound that Lester Brown buried home to make it 2-1. The Dashers could now close the book on the frame with some optimism for the final 40. 

With a ray of hope, the Dashers opened period two both fast and physical. Both teams exchanged chances early, but of course the narrative of the game was special teams. Black Bear forward Jamie Bucell decided to push his luck and was assessed a roughing minor leading to another Bucks man advantage. On the peeper, Jacob Gagnon rifled home a top shelf shot to even things at 2 from Pazitka and Gullo. The Black Bears were not fazed at all by the Dasher comeback, and less than 3 minutes later Cam Clark capitalized on an unlucky bounce in front to regain the Binghamton lead at 3-2. 4 minutes later, captain Tyson Kirkby caught Rutherford out of position again and potted a goal to restore the 2-goal lead. The Dashers were outshot 17-8 in period 2. 

Period 3 opened up with Tyson Kirkby scoring a highlight reel goal accompanied by a few dangles to make it 5-2. Although the scoresheet made the game appear out of reach, the Dashers did not let up. 59 seconds after Kirkby’s second tally, Nick Gullo fired a wrister by Egbert to narrow the margin back to 2. Needing another quick one, Trey Fischer dumped a puck in that took a wild bounce off the glass right into the slot for Zach DeMarce to bury and make it 5-4 with 12:02 to go. Looking for the equalizer, Nick Gullo drew a holding penalty from Chris Mott and the Dashers went a man up. After a flurry of chances, the penalty expired. The Dashers late surge would ultimately fall short, as Tyson Kirkby buried an empty netter for a Hat-Trick and cemented the final at 6-4.

The Dashers fall to 1-5-1 and will travel to play the Hudson Valley Venom tomorrow night. The top seeded Black Bears improve to 6-1-1 and will host the Port Huron Prowlers tomorrow night.