Thunderbirds Fall in Binghamton, 4-2

Binghamton, NY - The Carolina Thunderbirds dropped game two of the weekend against the Binghamton Black Bears, 4-2, Saturday night at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.

After another fast start on the road, Carolina (4-2-0) held a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes behind Tucker Firth’s first goal of the season at the 1:09 mark of the first period. Netminder Mario Cavaliere stopped all 15 shots he faced across the first period as Carolina led after 20 minutes. 

In the second period, Binghamton (6-0-3) came out quickly as they did Friday night, tying the game on the power play on a goal from Gavin Yates at 2:49 in the period. It did not take long though for Carolina to regain the lead. Three minutes later, after a long stretch pass from the defensive zone from Jan Salak, Kessler Skye walked in alone, snapping his first professional career goal pushing the Thunderbirds back in front, 2-1, at the 5:59 mark of the second. 

Carolina held the advantage going to the third period despite being outshot 20-3 in the second. The pressure continued from Binghamton in the final 20 minutes, with Austin Thompson knotting the game again five minutes into the third before Brenden Stanko scored the game winner with 4:18 remaining. Nikita Ivashkin doubled the lead on an empty net goal with 40 seconds remaining, closing out the 4-2 win for Binghamton. 

In the loss, Cavaliere saved 46 out of 49 shots, while Salak was named the 3rd star with an assist and four penalty minutes.

The Thunderbirds finish the weekend taking two points from the Black Bears following Friday night’s shootout win and return to action on Friday at home at the Annex. Puck drop for the Thunderbirds and Blue Ridge is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. from Winston-Salem.