Before the Black Bears vs Port Huron & Watertown 4/3 & 4/4

BINGHAMTON- The Black Bears return home after a split weekend against the Danbury Hat Tricks. The first game was a tightly contested, low-scoring battle that required just one goal to decide the outcome. Nick Swain broke the deadlock in the third period, forcing a puck through the pads of Kyle Penton. That lone goal was enough, as Dominik Tmej recorded a shutout to secure the win. The second game shifted to Danbury, where the Hat Tricks and Black Bears played a back-and-forth contest. Danbury managed to take a late lead, and Binghamton was unable to respond even after pulling the goaltender. Despite the split, the weekend ended on a high note for Binghamton, as the Black Bears clinched the league’s top overall seed and secured home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. They enter this weekend with a 44-6-2 record, leading the Empire Division with 131 points.

The Prowlers and Wolves also met last weekend, with Watertown making the long trip to Michigan. The opening game turned into an offensive explosion for the Prowlers, who scored 12 goals in a dominant victory. Grayson Dietrich and Bobby Price each netted four goals to headline the performance. The Prowlers struck first with two goals in the opening period, but Watertown briefly made things interesting. Trevor Neumann cut the deficit in half during the second period, though the Wolves were unable to find the equalizer. Port Huron followed that performance with another win, taking the second game 2-1. After a stretch of 11 unanswered goals across the series, Dustin Henning finally broke through for the Wolves. The Prowlers enter this matchup at 35-16-1, sitting second in the Empire Division with 100 points. The Wolves, meanwhile, come in at 13-32-6 with 45 points.

Players To Watch

Black Bears – Cam Cervone (D)
Cervone has been one of the unsung heroes for the Black Bears, consistently shutting down opposing players. His ability to protect the net front and handle pressure from crashing attackers is second to none. He also contributes offensively in calculated moments, jumping into the rush or getting shots through traffic at opportune times to catch defenders off guard. Now in his second season with Binghamton, Cervone has continued to improve as the year has progressed. He’s provided a steady presence on a blue line that has seen plenty of changes. After missing the playoffs last year, Cervone will be looking to make an impact under the league’s brightest lights.

Black Bears – Matt York (D)
York joined the Black Bears just a couple of weeks ago, but he has already made his presence felt in limited ice time. The tall defenseman skates smoothly and stands out during his shifts. He makes smart decisions with the puck and consistently positions himself well to disrupt opposing offenses. As the playoffs approach, York will be one of several players battling for a regular spot in the lineup.

Prowlers – Grayson Dietrich (F)
Dietrich turned heads last weekend against the Wolves with a breakout performance. He recorded his first professional hat trick—and added a fourth goal for good measure. He followed that up the next night by finding the back of the net again. The former Division I forward has made an immediate impact since joining the Prowlers and is quickly becoming a focal point of their offense heading into the postseason.

Wolves – Dustin Henning (D)

Henning is a longtime veteran and the clear leader of this Wolves team. He plays with relentless effort and, even at 41, continues to battle every night. His size allows him to establish strong positioning against opponents, and his willingness to block shots remains a major asset for Watertown. While the season has been a difficult one for the Wolves, Henning continues to compete as if every game is his last. The team will look to him to set the tone down the stretch.

Schedule

April 13, 7:00 pm at the Visions Veteran Memorial Arena (Binghamton, NY.)

April 14, 7:30 pm at the Watertown Municipal  Ice Arena (Danbury, CT.)