BINGHAMTON — For the second year in a row, the Watertown Wolves' season ended at the hands of the Binghamton Black Bears.
Connor Smith scored two goals and assisted on another and Donald Olivieri scored two goals to lead the Black Bears to the Wolves 7-2 in Game 2 of the Federal Prospect Hockey League on Saturday night. 4,328 visionaries participated. Veterans Memorial Arena.
With the win, Binghamton clinched the Empire Division semifinal series in two games. The Black Bears rallied to win the first game, 4-2, Friday night in Watertown.
Former Wolves player Gavin Yates paced top-seeded Binghamton on Saturday night with one goal and two assists.
Goaltender Connor Maanama made 29 saves to record the victory for the Black Bears, who advance to the division final series to face either Danbury or Motor City.
Ross Bartlett and Tate Leeson each scored a goal to provide pace for the fourth-seeded Wolves.
Watertown goaltender Eloy Bouchard started the game, but allowed three goals on nine shots, and was taken over by fellow rookie Spencer Kozlovski, who allowed four goals on 37 shots.
Connor Smith scored 4:30 into the game, followed by Dakota Vaughn's short shot at 6:32 to give Binghamton a 2-0 lead, and Bartlett scored at 7:21 to give Watertown a 2-0 lead. The game was tied by one point.
But the Black Bears took control with a power-play goal by Olivieri with 3:10 left in the period, followed by another goal on target by Smith with 1:26 left in the period and the next three goals.
After Jesse Anderson gave Binghamton a 5-1 advantage 2:28 into the second period, Leeson answered with a goal with 6:47 left in the period.
But Yates scored with 2:08 left in the period, and Olivieri added another point on the power play with 3:21 left in the third, closing the gap for the final time.
Last year, Binghamton dominated Watertown in the opening round of the playoffs, winning both games 6-2 at Watertown and 6-1 at home.
This year, Binghamton will face either Danbury or Motor City in the division final. On Saturday night, Danbury won 4-2 in the Motor City, tying the series at 1-1.
