Eastern Conference Final (best-of-seven)
Charlotte Checkers vs. Binghamton Senators
Binghamton wins series 4-0
Game 1 – Thu., May 12 – Binghamton 7, Charlotte 4
Game 2 – Fri., May 13 – Binghamton 3, Charlotte 0
Game 3 – Tue., May 17 – Binghamton 7, Charlotte 1
Game 4 – Wed., May 18 – Binghamton 4, Charlotte 3 (OT)
Player Stats
Checkers - REGULAR SEASON / PLAYOFFS
Senators - REGULAR SEASON / PLAYOFFS
Game 1 - BNG 7, CHA 4 - RECAP / SCORESHEET
Paced by seven different goal scorers, Binghamton won, 7-4, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. For the Senators it was their seventh straight road win in the playoffs. Barry Brust was the winning goaltender, stopping 27-of-28 shots, after he took over for Robin Lehner at the start of the second period. Lehner allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first period.
The Checkers got two power-play goals, the first-career playoff strikes from Riley Nash and Brad Herauf, and tallies from Zac Dalpe and Oskar Osala, but fell for the first time in a series opener in the 2010-11 playoffs. Justin Pogge came into the game in the second period and relieved Murphy, who allowed five goals.
Game 2 - BNG 3, CHA 0 - RECAP / SCORESHEET
Robin Lehner stopped all 33 shots he faced as the Checkers were shutout by Senators, 3-0. Ryan Potulny recorded a pair of goals for the Senators while Bobby Butler netted Binghamton’s third tally. Senators captain Ryan Keller had an assist on each of Potulny’s markers as his team earned its eighth straight road win.
Mike Murphy had a solid night between the pipes for Charlotte, making 28 saves.
Game 3 - BNG 7, CHA 1 - RECAP / SCORESHEET
Zack Smith recorded a hat trick and Robin Lehner stopped 37 of 38 shots as the Senators downed the Checkers, 7-1, in Game 3. Jon Matsumoto recorded the only tally for Charlotte, while goalie Mike Murphy made 23 saves before being replaced by Justin Pogge with 8:37 remaining in regulation.
The Checkers, who outshot the Senators 38-31, had opportunities to get back into the game early, but Charlotte’s forwards could not convert the second attempts.
Along with Smith’s three markers, Erik Condra, Ryan Keller and Roman Wick also added goals for the Senators.
Game 4 - BNG 4, CHA 3 (OT) - RECAP / SCORESHEET
Despite a game-tying goal by Chris Terry with 1:24 left in the third period, the Senators got a goal by Ryan Keller at 13:05 of overtime to win the game, 4-3, and Eastern Conference Final series, 4-0.
In the most closely contested game of the series, the Senators’ best offensive players were Ryan Potulny and Andre Benoit, who each recorded a goal and an assist. With 42 saves on 45 shots on Wednesday, Robin Lehner won for the 10th time in the playoffs and fourth straight time in overtime.
Finishing off a stellar season in which he returned from injury to take the starting job and help eliminate Hershey and Wilkes-Barre, Mike Murphy was solid in Game 4, making 33 saves. Chris Terry had two goals, Brett Sutter added two assists and Casey Borer scored his first-career Calder Cup playoff goal.
Notes
With the win, the Senators become the first Binghamton-based team to reach the Calder Cup Finals since the 1981-82 Whalers. Binghamton also becomes the first team since the 1974-75 New Haven Nighthawks to reach the Calder Cup Finals after finishing fifth in its division during the regular season.
The Checkers eliminated the two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears, Kilpatrick Trophy-winning Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and advanced further than any Carolina Hurricanes-AHL affiliate since the team’s relocation to North Carolina from Hartford in 1997.
