Tim Conboy’s first goal in more than two years came with 12.5 seconds left in regulation and gave Portland a huge 3-2 victory over Binghamton in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division finals at a packed Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday night.
The Pirates erased a one-goal deficit by scoring twice in the final 5:09 of regulation, capped by Conboy’s first goal since Jan. 17, 2009 – ending a drought of 171 combined regular-season and playoff games in the AHL and NHL.
With the win, Portland cut Binghamton’s lead in the series to 2-1 and ended the Senators’ five-game winning streak. The Pirates and Senators tangle in Game 4 on Monday night.
Conboy recorded 12 assists and 233 penalty minutes in 70 regular-season games for Portland in 2010-11.
Portland opened the scoring for the third game in a row as Brian O’Hanley netted his first goal of the postseason 5:29 into the contest.
Senators captain Ryan Keller scored his fifth playoff goal – and fourth in the last four games – at 5:16 of the second period to tie it, and Kaspars Daugavins gave Binghamton the lead with 5:04 to play in the middle frame with a power-play marker.
Derek Whitmore corralled a loose puck in the slot and fired a shot over the glove of Robin Lehner to pull Portland even at 2-2 at the 14:51 mark of the third, setting the stage for Conboy’s heroics.
David Leggio, back in the crease after sitting out Game 2, made 32 saves in the win for the Pirates. Lehner stopped 30 shots but took his first loss of the postseason (5-1).
Atlantic Division Finals – Series “I” (best-of-7)
A1-Portland Pirates vs. E5-Binghamton Senators
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 27 – Binghamton 3, PORTLAND 2
Game 2 – Thu., Apr. 28 – Binghamton 5, PORTLAND 3
Game 3 – Sat., Apr. 30 – Portland 3, BINGHAMTON 2
Game 4 – Mon., May 2 – Portland at Binghamton, 7:05
Game 5 – Tue., May 3 – Portland at Binghamton, 7:05
*Game 6 – Fri., May 6 – Binghamton at Portland, 7:00
*Game 7 – Sat., May 7 – Binghamton at Portland, 7:00
