Senators trounce River Rats, 8-2

Jason Spezza, Chris Kelly and Brian McGrattan scored two goals apiece to lead Binghamton to an 8-2 win over Albany at the Broome County Arena on Wednesday night.

The Senators got five special-teams goals on the night, going 4-for-9 on the power play while adding a shorthanded marker as well.

Pascal Rheaume actually put the River Rats in front just 3:28 into the game. Spezza tied it six minutes later, then the Sens piled on five goals in the second period to take a 6-1 lead.

Christoph Schubert and Arpad Mihaly also scored for Binghamton, and Brian Pothier added three assists. Pat Kavanagh, Antoine Vermette and Charlie Stephens recorded two assists apiece.

Billy Thompson made 32 saves to earn the win for the B-Sens. Ari Ahonen allowed all eight goals on 48 shots for Albany.

Spezza’s two goals give him 40 points on the season, good for third in the AHL.

Elsewhere on Wednesday:
Joey MacDonald made 41 saves for Grand Rapids, but Cleveland prevailed in a shootout, 3-2, to earn its fifth straight win… Steve Regier‘s goal in the final second of regulation tied the score, and Bridgeport went on to a 3-2 shootout win over Philadelphia… Toby Petersen recorded a goal and an assist as Edmonton defeated Hamilton, 3-2… Peter White and Jeff Taffe had a goal and an assist each as Utah rallied from two goals down to beat San Antonio, 4-2.