MOTOR CITY ROCKERS at BINGHAMTON BLACK BEARS
Black Bears Advance to the Finals
by Brooks Hill
Binghamton, NY- The Binghamton Black Bears advanced to the FPHL finals, defeating the Motor City Rockers 3-2 in OT. Austin Thompson scored the game-winning goal five minutes into the overtime period, sending the Black Bears to their first ever Commissioners Cup Final.
Binghamton started scoring in the first period. Josh Fletcher recorded his first of the postseason, and it was followed-up by Connor Smith extending the lead to 2-0. The crowd of 4,200+ was on their feet cheering for the hometown team. The Rockers were able to get on the board late in the period. Declan Conway scored a tip-in goal, putting the visitors on the board. At the end of one, Binghamton led 2-1.
Neither side was able to score in the middle period. The goaltenders shined in a period where shots were even at 12-12. Coast-to-coast action was highlighted by sprawling says from Connor McAnanama and Trevor Babin. The score after two periods was the same after the first.
In the third, tempers flared, seeing multiple players from both teams getting misconducts. The Black Bears were unable to find the insurance goal that they were looking for. Time was running out, and Motor City pulled the goalie for the extra attacker.
Heartbreak happened, as Motor City tied the game with just six seconds left. For the first time this season, the Black Bears were headed to overtime.
Both teams has chances, but it was Austin Thompson who scored the game winning goal, five minutes into the extra frame. Binghamton wins 3-2 in overtime and advance to the cup finals.
They will await their opponent, and announce the final series of the season at a later date.
Rockers Season Ends With 3-2 OT Loss In Empire Division Championship
by Ben Szilagy
Binghamton, NY - The Motor City Rockers’ season has come to an end.
The 2023-24 campaign was successful by every measure: 33 Regular Season wins, beating last year’s total, earned the franchise’s first playoff series win against the defending FPHL Champions in Danbury and having a record setting crowd at Big Boy Arena on the final home game where 2,123 fans attended a win.
Unfortunately in Game 2 of the FPHL Empire Division Championship, the Rockers couldn’t force Game 3 after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Black Bears.
With the season on the line late in the third period, Motor City pulled Ricky Gonzalez who replaced Trevor Babin midway in the third period, for an extra attacker with 1:44 to play.
The Rockers desperately tried to get the game tying goal when the puck was swung from Declan Conway to the point and on the stick of Nick Magill-Diaz. Magill-Diaz fired a shot that was deflected by TJ Sneath for the game tying goal with 5.4 seconds left.
Binghamton’s Austin Thompson earned the game winner with 8:32 remaining in the game when he fired the puck from the corner and through the five-hole on an impossible angle for his first goal of the postseason.
Binghamton did start the game with a lead in the first period with goals by Josh Fletcher and Connor Smith for a 2-0 lead until the Rockers were able to cut the deficit to one with 3:28 left in the opening frame.
Sneath entered the offensive zone and offered a drop pass to Lane King at the point. King then rifled a pass to the far side post to Declan Conway who tipped in the puck for a 2-1 score. It was his first of the postseason, and 23rd of the campaign.
King finished the postseason with a point in every game with his assist earning a goal, and six assists in five games.
The Rockers also were perfect on the penalty kill in the postseason. Motor City killed 23-of-23 power plays it faced in the playoffs. It entered the playoffs with a 83.3 kill percentage which was second best in the league.
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