BINGHAMTON — Left wing Jiri Tlusty made an immediate impact in his return to the River Rats.
The talented forward scored 22 seconds into the game, but Binghamton reeled off three consecutive goals en route to posting a 4-3 American Hockey League triumph at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Center Denis Hamel scored twice and right wing Ryan Keller contributed a goal and two assists for Binghamton (20-22-3-1), which snapped a four-game losing skid and dealt Albany (26-19-3-2) its third straight loss.
Tlusty, assigned to the River Rats by Carolina on Thursday, struck first with a goal which was set up by left wing Jacob Micflikier.
Hamel drew Binghamton even at 1-1 at 8:11 and teammate and defenseman Craig Schira tallied at 17:51 for a 2-1 advantage.
After a scoreless second period, Keller scored 27 seconds into the third to provide Binghamton with a two-goal lead.
Left wing Nicolas Blanchard scored a power-play goal at 9:40 to pull Albany within 3-2, but Hamel followed with his second goal at 12:38.
Rats defenseman Jamie McBain scored unassisted at 13:21 for the final margin.
Goalie Mike Brodeur made 27 saves to earn the win for Binghamton, which has won all three meetings against the Rats this season.
Rookie netminder Mike Murphy stopped 34 of 38 shots faced for Albany.
Murphy got the start after goalie Justin Peters was recalled along with rookie center Zach Boychuk by the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the day.
Netminder Tyler Sims was signed to a professional tryout and backed up Murphy.
Micflikier and left wing Chris Terry each recorded two assists for the Rats.
Albany, which hosts Springfield today in a matinee at 5, returns to Binghamton on Wednesday in a 7:05 start.