B-Sens snag Game 1 in Portland

2011 Calder Cup Playoffs

BINGHAMTON 3, PORTLAND 2
Zack Smith broke a 2-2 tie with his first goal of the playoffs at 7:35 of the third period, and Binghamton held on for a 3-2 road win over Portland on Wednesday at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Finals.

Smith, who played 55 games in the NHL with Ottawa this season, contributed three assists but did not score during the Senators’ seven-game opening-round win over Manchester.

It marked the first career AHL postseason goal for the 23-year-old Smith, who was assisted on the play by Ryan Potulny and defenseman Andre Benoit.

Captain Ryan Keller and rookie Bobby Butler also scored for the Senators, and AHL MVP Corey Locke earned an assist in his postseason debut after missing the first round due to injury.

Potulny and Benoit each finished with a pair of assists in the winning effort, and Potulny extended his AHL-leading point total to 16 (8-8-16) through eight playoff contests.

Binghamton goaltender Robin Lehner picked up the victory with 33 saves in net, as the Senators collected their first regulation win of the postseason. All four triumphs over the Monarchs in the division semifinals came in overtime.

Maxime Legault and Colin Stuart tallied goals for the Pirates, who got on the scoreboard first but lost on home ice for the first time during these playoffs (3-1).

The teams will get right back at it for Game 2 on Thursday night in Portland.

Atlantic Division Final – 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 at Portland, 7:00
Game 3 – Sat., Apr. 30 – Portland at Binghamton, 7:05
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