ROCHESTER AMERICANS DAILY PRESS CLIPS Saturday, October 27, 2018 TONIGHT S GAME: Laval @ Rochester
Even in winning, the Rochester Amerks demand more Pickin Splinters By: Kevin Oklobzija With In defeating the Utica Comets 4-0 on Friday night, the Rochester Americans ran their point streak to seven games and increased their lead in the American Hockey League s North Division to two points over Cleveland. And yet they weren t all that pleased about everything that happened. Defenseman Zach Redmond, who scored the first goal, said the Amerks were far from perfect. I think we can play a lot better which is very exciting. Coach Chris Taylor said probably the first period and a half I didn t like too much of our game. Mind you, the score was 2-0 Rochester after 24 minutes. You know that means? This we-can-be-better attitude is what high-quality teams expect and demand. Yes, the Amerks won. Yes, goalie Scott Wedgewood posted a 20-save shutout. Yes, rookie defenseman Lawrence Pilot continued to pile points with three assists, his third three-point game of the season. But, yes, they can be better. I didn t think my performance was really good today, Pilot said, but I got a couple lucky points and that s a confidencebooster. Pilot leads AHL defensemen in scoring with 2 goals, 11 assists and 13 points in just seven games. He s well aware, however, that he must play well at both ends of the ice, and he is. There s no doubt in my mind this is a temporary thing, Redmond said of Pilot s time with the Amerks. He s kind of the newage NHL package and sure he ll be wearing a Sabres jersey before too long. The Amerks would certainly miss Pilot if and/or when he goes to the NHL for he first time. But they d still have plenty of talent. They re 6-2-1, and 6-0-1 since losing twice on opening weekend to the team with the AHL s best record, the Charlotte Checkers (7-1). I ve played on some good teams but this might be the best, said Redmond, an eighth-year veteran. I don t want to jinx it but we re headed in the right direction. The highlights Rookie defenseman Will Borgen was a beast in helping the Amerks kill a five-on-three Utica power play midway through the second period. He had help from defenseman partner Andrew MacWilliam and center Kyle Criscuolo, although Criscuolo suffered an injury (lower body?) blocking a shot on that penalty kill and did not return. Those are the things that our guys remember with how we won the game tonight, Taylor said.
Wedgewood made the necessary saves, especially early, and gave credit to the skaters who blocked plenty of shots as well. The shutout was the ninth of his AHL career; he also has two in the NHL, including one last season with the Arizona Coyotes. The more and more I get out there and the more and more minutes I accumulate, I m going to figure things out, he said. Kevin Porter, Danny O Regan and Alex Nylander scored the other goals for the Amerks. The Nylander goal came off a partial breakaway at 12:48 of the third period, but it never should have been allowed. Referee Beaudry Halkidis was calling a penalty because Nyander was held or hooked, and Utica s Jesse Graham swatted the rebound of Nylander s shot into the net. The touching and sweeping of the puck should have killed the play because of the delayed penalty. Instead, the officials allowed the goal to stand. Winger Tyler Randell fought Utica winger Vincent Arseneau at 2:45 of the third period. The fight was in response to Arseneau s hard hit on defenseman Brendan Guhle on the boards at center earlier on the shift, and also because Arseneau took a long run but missed Pilot behind the Amerks net in the second period. Our guys came out and took care of it, Taylor said. It brings a team closer. The Amerks have their most potent power play since the 2009-10 season. That team featured Jamie Johnson, Jeff Taffe, Clay Wilson, Taylor, Michal Repik, Evgeny Dadonov, Graham Mink, Mike York when he was healthy and Jason Garrison before he was called up. Redmond, Pilot, Victor Olafsson, Porter and Wayne Simpson are very creative, which Taylor stresses. As a team, the Amerks are 12-for-31 on the power play over the past seven games. I love creativity, Taylor said. I want them to bring it out, I don t want them to be robots. It s fun to watch.
Amerks stretch point streak to seven with 4-0 win over Utica 13 Wham By: Staff Report A pair of opening weekend losses are nothing but a distant memories for the Amerks at this point. Rochester stretched its unbeaten streak to seven with a dominating 4-0 win over Utica on Friday. Zach Redmond, Kevin Porter, Danny O'Regan and Alex Nylander all scored for Rochester. Lawrence Pilut added three assists. Scott Wedgewood stopped all 20 shots he faced for his first shutout with the Amerks.
Amerks Blank Utica C&C WorldWide By: Craig Potter With If one were to have heard the song, Smoke gets in your eyes Friday night, it would have been appropriate as smoke DID seep into the Blue Cross Arena during the second period of the Rochester Americans 4-0 victory over the Utica Comets. The Rochester Fire Department was called but the game went on uninterrupted for the 3,457 fans in attendance. By the start of the third period, however, the smoke had dissipated. Meanwhile, the Amerks smoked the Comets as goalie Scott Wedgewood posted his first shut out as an Amerk by turning aside all 20 shots by Utica. I felt very comfortable tonight, Wedgewood said. Over the last couple of seasons, I have not been able to play much hockey, but the more and more games I play, the better I feel. The Comets had a total of 53 seconds of two 5-on-3 advantages but were unable to score. The guys did a fantastic job during that sequence, said Wedgewood. Utica ran two guys down low, which is tough on me, but our D were aggressive and (Kyle) Criscuolo played tough on top and even blocked a shot. Him blocking the shot was a big sacrifice and it showed the type of teammate he is that he cares more about the team than his own health. Veteran defenseman Zach Redmond added, It was a big boost for us tonight. The past five or six games we have struggled on the penalty kill. To kill those two penalties and hear the crowd, it got us going at that point of the game. Rochester successfully killed all 5 of its penalties. Our penalty kill was big tonight, said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. It was a big difference tonight as we got in penalty trouble but our guys did a great job on it. Swedish rookie defenseman Lawrence Pilut returned to the lineup, following an injury, and picked up offensively where he left off as he assisted on the first 3 Rochester goals. That gives him 11 assists and 13 points in 7 games. I had a lot of luck tonight, said Pilut. Sometimes the puck bounces a certain way and it certainly seemed that way tonight. At this rate, it s probably just a matter of time before he gets a callup from the Buffalo Sabres. Taylor was asked, How long do you thing you ll keep him? He just smiled his answer. There s no doubt in my mind this is a temporary thing, Redmond said of Pilut s time with the Amerks. He s kind of the newage NHL package and sure he ll be wearing a Sabres jersey before too long. Redmond notched his 5th power play goal of the season in the first period, which turned out to be the game-winner. Redmond first rang a shot from the right point off the pipe, then got another chance from the left circle and beat Utica netminder Richard Bachman. Fellow Swedish rookie Victor Olfsson and Pilut drew assists on the play.
Team captain Kevin Porter scored in the second period. Danny O Regan made it 3-0 in the third, and Alex Nylander completed the scoring when Comets defenseman Jesse Graham attempted to clear a rebound off Nylander s shot but put the puck into his own net as Nylander got credit for the goal. *NOTES The Amerks return to action Saturday night at 7:05 pm against the Laval Rocket as Rochester will be going for its 7th win in the Amerks last 8 games Rochester (6-2-1-0) leads the North Division with 13 points. Cleveland (5-3-1-0) is 2 points behind. The Amerks first game against the Monsters is Wednesday, Nov. 11 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. overshadowed.
Comets shut out in first road loss of season Utica Observer-Dispatch By: Ben Birnell The Utica Comets are experiencing some struggles without key players in the lineup. That was evident Friday as the Comets were unable to get much going against the Rochester Americans. Scott Wedgewood totaled 20 saves and four players scored a goal to help the Americans hand the Comets a 4-0 setback at Blue Cross Arena in the second meeting in 10 days between the North Division rivals. Lawrence Pilut added three assists for the skilled Amerks (6-2-1-0). Rochester is 6-0-1-0 in its last seven games. The depleted Comets (4-6-0-0) had forward Brendan Gaunce return to the lineup after missing seven games, and defenseman Jagger Dirk made his debut Friday. However, Utica was without various players including Darren Archibald and Alex Biega on recall with Vancouver as well as leading scorer Reid Boucher and defensemen Jalen Chatfield and Ashton Sautner because of injuries. It was the first time Utica dropped a road game in four contests this season. The Comets, who have lost four of their last five games, were shutout for the first time this season. They have one goal in their last six periods. Richard Bachman turned in a solid performance, finishing with 20 saves in his second start in the last six games for the Comets. He is 1-4-0 this season. Rochester s top-ranked power-play unit which had four goals in the previous meeting against Utica struck first on Zach Redmond s one-timer for his fifth of the season with 9:20 remaining. He has a point in eight consecutive games. Bachman turned in a huge diving stop with about six minutes left in the period. The veteran stopped Kyle Criscuolo s shot from the slot and made a diving stop to his right with his stick paddle on C.J. Smith s rebound try. The Amerks extended the lead early in the second period on a Comets miscue. As Bachman went for a poke check, Comets rookie Lukas Jasek collided with him, allowing Kevin Porter to collect the puck and easily score with 16:19 left in the period. Utica had a few opportunities including on a 5-on-3 advantage for 44 seconds shortly after the Amerks goal but couldn t convert. The Comets finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Rochester weathered some early Comets pressure in the third, struck for goals 4:19 apart on Danny O Regan s redirection and another goal from Alex Nylander. The latter came after Bachman stopped Nylander s breakaway attempt on what appeared to be a delayed penalty. The Comets went to play the puck and it bounced off a defender and in. The goal was not overturned despite protests from the Comets.
Utica Comets goalie s impressive save lands on ESPN Top 10 Utica Observer-Dispatch By: Ben Birnell Utica Comets goaltender Richard Bachman made an impressive save against Rochester on Friday. ESPN s SportsCenter took a look at the veteran netminder s sprawling stop and made it No. 9 on its list of Top 10 plays. Rochester Americans forward C.J. Smith appeared to have a good opportunity lined up with about six minutes to play in the first period between the North Division rivals in Rochester. Bachman had other ideas. On the play, Rochester Kyle Criscuolo got control of a bouncing puck in the slot and flicked a shot that was initially stopped by Bachman. The puck bounced off Bachman to his right in the crease and as Smith swooped in to attempt to put in the rebound, Bachman lunged from left to right in time to get the paddle of his stick in the way of the puck to keep it out of the net. The puck bounced out to the slot to a Comets player. Bachman s impressive effort helped keep the game close in what was an eventual 4-0 loss for the Comets (4-6-0-0) to the division-leading Amerks. It is not the first time Bachman has turned in an spectacular stop with the Comets that has gained attention. Bachman also landed on ESPN s Top Plays in April 2016 when he made an unbelievable behind-the-back stop with his glove against then-st. John s IceCaps forward Bud Holloway.
Sabres prospect Danny O'Regan flies under the radar but effective with Amerks Buffalo News By: Bill Hoppe With so many of his Rochester Americans teammates tearing up the AHL, Buffalo Sabres prospect Danny O Regan often gets overshadowed. O Regan s linemate, rookie Victor Olofsson, has scored a league-best 14 points through the opening eight games. Another newcomer, defenseman Lawrence Pilut, has compiled 10 points in six contests. Veteran Zach Redmond s 12 points rank first among AHL defensemen. Three Amerks are among the league s top five scorers. Meanwhile, winger Alexander Nylander just had his career-long six-game point streak snapped. The former eighth overall pick looks like a top prospect again. You get the idea. The first-place Amerks, who had won five consecutive games before Saturday s 5-4 overtime road loss to the Belleville Senators, are stacked. The versatile O Regan, an older prospect at 24, easily gets lost in the shuffle on the AHL s highest-scoring team. That s kind of been my career my whole life, just kind of an under-the-radar guy, O Regan said Friday after scoring two goals in Blue Cross Arena. Maybe you look at the end of the year, I ll have some solid numbers. It s a blessing and a curse, getting a lot of the hype and attention. It creates some distractions sometimes. I know guys feel a little pressure to produce. I don t mind staying under the radar. O Regan, the AHL s Rookie of the Year with the San Jose Barracuda in 2016-17, owns some terrific numbers. The Boston University product has produced 40 goals and 104 points in 120 AHL games over three seasons, including four goals and six points this year. "Danny s been a good two-way, solid player," Amerks coach Chris Taylor said. "He s getting rewarded now with some points. He s got great vision, gets over pucks, he can make plays, he s very reliable on the defensive side of the puck. He kills penalties, he does faceoffs, power plays. He s a big person in our lineup that we tend to use a lot. He s very underrated. In Friday s 5-4 shootout win against the Toronto Marlies, O Regan opened the scoring by redirecting Redmond s pass as he got knocked down at the crease. In the second period, O Regan spun around in the right circle and roofed in a backhander. I kind of blacked out for a little bit, O Regan joked of the highlight-reel goal.
Still, following the game, two of O Regan s defensive plays clearing the puck from the defensive zone and tying up an opponent at the net following a rebound stood out to Taylor. There s a reason why we put him in situations where we put him in, Taylor said. He s very reliable, but he s also very sneaky offensively. He gets over pucks, he escapes guys in the corners and he s a really good passer. He s getting more confidence. When he gets confidence, he s a really, really good player. He gets to that next level, that s why he got recalled last year, because he was at that level. O Regan performed at a high level last season after the Sabres acquired him from the San Jose Sharks in the Evander Kane trade, compiling six goals and 15 points in 18 games with the Amerks. The Sabres quickly rewarded O Regan with a two-game recall. He had four points in 19 games with the Sharks earlier in the season. I played a bunch of NHL games last year, that definitely helped me getting used to what it s like playing up there, said O Regan, who made 21 of his 24 NHL appearances last season. I d like to get another shot with the Sabres but I think I m learning a lot here. I still got some stuff to improve on. It s nice having Tails around, he s great to talk to and he s really helpful with a lot of the little things. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound O Regan began the season centering Olofsson and rookie Rasmus Asplund before Taylor moved Asplund to the middle and O Regan to the right wing. While Asplund has only recorded one assist, the line has been one of the AHL s best. (There is) definitely a natural chemistry and I definitely think we re building and getting better every game, too, O Regan said. They re really good guys and unselfish players. I think we just keep talking off the ice and getting a little better and stronger every game. Guhle streaking Just over halfway through Friday s tilt, Amerks defenseman Brendan Guhle scored what Taylor called an unbelievable goal by jumping into the rush and backhanding winger C.J. Smith s pass in. Guhle joined the forwards so seamlessly he looked like a center leading the attack. Taylor said Guhle s first goal this season showcased the prospect s best talents. He just kind of took off, Taylor said. That s what we want from him, we want him to have confidence in what he does, his speed and how he utilizes it and makes offense, but also how he can come back after the play. He s got to use that speed more but he s got to have that confidence when to jump and when not to. Guhle scored again Saturday and has a five-game point streak.
Pilut update An upper-body injury forced Pilut, 23, to miss both weekend games. The Swede is day-to-day, Taylor said. Pilut was hurt in Wednesday s 6-1 road win against the Utica Comets. At first, Taylor said, Pilut thought he could battle through the injury. Long-term for him, if he has to miss one game or two, I d rather that than two weeks or three weeks, Taylor said. Pilut, who has a four-game point streak, ranks second among AHL defenders in points. The rookie has recorded seven of his 10 points on the power play. Amerks bits The five-game win streak was the Amerks' longest since April 2014.... Redmond has a league-high eight power-play points and the Amerks are the first team in the league to reach double-digit power play goals. His seven-game point streak is the longest active run among defensemen and the second longest overall.... Olofsson s six-game point streak ranks third.... The Amerks host Utica on Friday and Laval on Saturday.
The Best Offense Is A Good Defense Rochester Americans By: Erica Whyte The Rochester Americans closed out week three of the regular season tied for first place in the AHL with 11 points through their first eight games of the season. With two wins and one overtime loss to North Division opponents Utica, Toronto, and Belleville this past week, the Amerks collected five out of six possible points. And although their five-game win streak was halted with the 5-4 overtime loss to Belleville on Saturday night, Amerks head coach Chris Taylor is pleased with many aspects of the Amerks play. Anytime you get five out of six points in a week, you re doing something good, said Taylor after Monday s practice. I really like the way were attacking offensively. I love the way our D are jumping in the play. We ve got a lot of defensemen scoring a lot of big goals for us as of late, Taylor said of Rochester s blueline. And he s not just talking about the AHL s number one and number two producing defensemen in veteran Zach Redmond, who has tallied 12 points in eight games, and newcomer Lawrence Pilut, with 10 points in six. In Saturday s game alone, three of Rochester s four goals were had by defensemen. Rookies Brandon Hickey and Will Borgen each tallied their first pro goal, and Brendan Guhle notched his second in as many nights. According to Redmond, seeing the younger blueliners jumping into play makes this already-strong Amerks lineup that much more lethal. "There are some mobile defensemen out here, said Redmond, who last season led the Amerks in scoring and was named a Second Team All-Star. Those guys can skate, and fly, and add that extra element, and that can definitely help produce offense. Redmond attributes the increase in production from the team s defensemen and the new offensive-defenseman mindset stems back to Buffalo training camp with Sabres head coach Phil Housley. The former Sabres defenseman was notorious for joining the rush as a player and systematically revolutionized the position from the blueline. Starting last year with Phil, obviously he played that way as a player, and I think that s something he was kind of preaching in camp, said Redmond. The Amerks have the chance to extend their point streak to seven games on Friday, when they open a back-to-back home weekend by welcoming the Utica Comets to the Blue Cross Arena for the first time this season. Rochester will then face the Laval Rocket on Saturday. Both games will be carried live on The Sports Leader 95.7FM/AM 950 ESPN Rochester and can be viewed on AHLTV.
Amerks Carry Six-Game Point Streak Into Weekend Rochester Americans By: Ryan J. Harr Entering the final full week of the first month of the 2018-19 campaign, the Rochester Americans hold a 5-2-1-0 record through their first eight games. With 11 points, the Amerks sit atop the North Division standings and are tied for first overall in AHL. The Amerks opened play last week with a 6-1 victory over the Utica Comets Wednesday night at the Adirondack Bank Center before returning to The Blue Cross Arena Friday night, where they earned a 5-4 shootout-win against the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies. Saturday night, Rochester earned a point in overtime against the Senators. With a win against the Comets, Rochester upped its point streak against Utica to nine straight games as they boast a record of 4-0-2-3 during that stretch. By defeating the Marlies Friday, it gives the Amerks four straight win over Toronto dating back to last season. Additionally, in 10 of the last 13 meetings between the two clubs dating back to the 2016-17 campaign, the team who has scored the first goal of the game has gone on to come away with the win. Despite seeing their five-game win streak halted Saturday night in a 5-4 overtime loss in Belleville, Rochester extended its point streak to six games. The five-game win streak was the club s longest since the team won five straight in April during the 2013-14 season. Also, in Saturday s overtime-loss, the Amerks maintained their all-time record to 3-0-2-0 while they have yet to lose in regulation in Belleville. The contest was the third straight game that went beyond regulation to decide a winner in Canada between the two clubs. AMERKS RED HOT After dropping the first two contests of the season, the Amerks have rallied to collect 11 of a possible 12 points, which was highlighted by the five-game win streak. Seven of the 12 points have come away from the Flower City in their four road games. As the Amerks have notched points in all four contests away from The Blue Cross Arena this season, they boast a record of 22-8- 9-3 in their last 42 games dating back to the 2017-18 season. While their 49 road points finished tied for second-most in the Eastern Conference last season, their seven points this season are tied for third-most in the AHL. I am very happy with the team taking five of a possible six points, said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. The two road games were not easy. Utica is never an easy building to play in. It was a tough trip to Bellville after playing against a team like Toronto. Any time you can get five points during a three-game-week, you're doing something right. STREAKS ON STREAKS ON STREAKS
The Amerks begin the week on a six-game point streak (5-0-1-0), the longest active streak in the league, and there are several players who have contributed to the success by extending their own personal-streaks. Victor Olofsson: leads the AHL in scoring and currently riding a six-game point streak that includes four multi-point efforts. The 23-year-old forward has recorded 13 points (5+8) during his last six outings Zach Redmond: Owns the second-longest active point streak in the AHL, with a career-best seven-game point streak. His 12 points (4+8) currently leads the league s defenseman. Lawrence Pilut: Despite missing the last two games due to injury, ranks second behind only Redmond in points by a defenseman with 10 points (2+8) in six games. Brendan Guhle: Matched a personal-best five-game point streak with a goal Saturday night. During his streak has tallied six points, which includes a goal in each of the last two contests. Adam Wilcox: Was handed his first overtime loss of the season after starting 2-0-0 in his first two appearances in the blue paint. Also, shows a record of 4-0-2 in his last six games dating back to the end of the 2017-18 campaign. Will Borgen: Recorded his first-career professional point (assist) during Friday s win against Toronto before scoring his first goal Saturday night. Scott Wedgewood: Owns a three-game win streak after starting his Amerks goaltending career 0-2-0. Justin Bailey: Has notched an assist in each of the last two games. Wayne Simpson: the AHL s current leader in consecutive games played with 195. Alexander Nylander: Had collected eight points (3+5) during his career-long six-game point streak, which ended in Saturday s overtime-loss to Belleville. ROOKIES LIT THE LAMP Last Saturday night, Amerks rookie defensemen Brandon Hickey and Borgen each tallied their first professional goals in Bellville. Borgen, 21, gave Rochester a 4-3 lead with 7:04 left in regulation as he recorded his first-career goal after tallying his firstcareer assist Friday night. The first-year blueliner, who appeared in eight games at the end of last season, gathered a puck from atop the right face-off dot and sniped a shot between the pads of the B-Sens netminder. Earlier in Saturday s contest, Hickey knotted the contest at 1-1 at the 12:48 mark of the opening frame with his first-career professional marker. Ports (Kevin Porter) sent the puck up the wall and it seemed to bobble up the boards, recalled the 22-year-old defenseman. As it was rolling, I just flung it towards the net. It was sort of a knuckle-puck that might have handcuffed the goaltender and it was not the prettiest goal, but I'll take it.
I will tell everyone who asks how I scored it, it was bar-down, joked Hickey. It was awesome that the two young guys got their first goals, Taylor said. I like to see the confidence in not only Borgen and Hickey, but all the defensemen. They are not afraid to jump into the rush and join the play. They trust that there will be a third guy high, so they can try to make a play. POTENT POWER-PLAY During last Wednesday s 6-1 win, the Amerks converted on their first three power-plays in the in the opening period before adding one more goal with the man-advantage midway through the third period. The four markers while on the power-play were the most the Amerks scored on the road since Mar. 12, 2016 when they went 4- for-6 at Syracuse. The guys on the power-play unit have kept everything simple, Amerks assistant coach Toby Petersen said last week. They work together as one unit. They retrieve the puck, get it to the point, get a shot and repeat the process until they find success. SHORTHANDED BLUES While the Amerks own the top-ranked power-play percentage in the American Hockey league with a 35.3 conversation rate, the shorthanded unit sits third from the bottom in the league as they have allowed 11 goals. We know where our penalty-kill is in the standings, said Redmond. It needs to improve if we want to continue the success we have had lately. We are doing everything we can to solve the issue. We are giving up too many goals, admitted Taylor. We need to tighten up defensively moving forward and it's something we worked on Monday. GOALS LEADERS The Amerks currently lead the Eastern Conference in goals scored with 32, and along with the Milwaukee Admirals and Toronto Marlies, remain one of only three AHL teams to surpass the 30-goal mark so far this season.
Amerks streak halted in overtime loss to B-Sens Pickin Splinters By: Paul Gotham The Rochester Americans (5-2-1-0) bid for a sixth straight victory came up short as Chase Balisy of the Belleville Senators (3-3- 0-0) scored his second goal of the night just 14 seconds into overtime to give the hosts a 5-4 victory Saturday night at the CAA Arena. Despite the overtime loss, the Amerks earned a point for the sixth consecutive contest to maintain their lead atop the American Hockey League s North Division standings. Wayne Simpson led the Amerks with a multi-point night (1+1) while Rochester s remaining offense was provided by defensemen, most notably from rookies Brandon Hickey and Will Borgen, who each scored their first professionals goals in the first and third periods, respectively. Fellow blueliner Brendan Guhle rounded out the team s scoring with his second goa in as many nights. Netminder Adam Wilcox was handed his first overtime loss of the season after starting 2-0-0 in his first two appearances in the blue paint. Wilcox shows a record of 4-0-2 in his last six games dating back to the end of the 2017-18 campaign. Balisy (2+1) and Gabriel Gagne (1+2) each recorded their first three points of the season for Belleville as the duo booked multipoint performances while Jack Rodewald and Adam Tambellini each found the back of the net as well for Belleville. Goaltender Mike McKenna, who nearly backstopped the Texas Stars to a Calder Cup championsip last season, earned his second straight victory on home ice after being handed a pair of road losses to begin his first stint with the B-Sens. The Amerks carried a 3-2 lead into the final period of regulation, but the B-Sens were able to tie the game at the 6:53 mark with 20 seconds to spare on their man-advantage. As the power-play clock was nearing its end, Gagne fired a shot from the left Wilcox, but Balisy was able to track the puck and redirected it behind the netminder to make it a 3-3 game. After seeing its lead briefly slip away, Borgen put Rochester back on top when he walked in from the right-point and slapped a shot past a screened McKenna with 7:04 remaining on the clock. Justin Bailey, who recorded an assist in Friday night s shootout win over Toronto, and Kyle Criscuolo were each awarded the helpers on Borgen s first-career AHL tally. Much like their goal earlier in the frame, the B-Sens drew another Amerks penalty and made it count astambellini wired a shot through Wilcox from just inside the right circle with just over five minutes to play that ultimately forced overtime. After winning the opening face-off in the extra session, Belleville drew the attention of the Rochester skaters as they entered the zone to the left of the blueline. As Tambellini skated down the left circle, he sent a cross-ice feed to Balisy, who redirected the puck into the cage for the game-winner just 14 seconds into the stanza. While the Amerks have an all-time record of 3-0-2-0 and have yet to lose in regulation in Belleville, tonight s contest was the third straight game that went beyond regulation to decide a winner in Canada between the two clubs. During the first period, the North Division rivals went back and forth as they each scored a pair of goals.
Five minutes after Hickey s first-career goal, Simpson pushed Rochester ahead as he redirected the Amerks league-leading 12 th power-play goal from Matt Tennyson and Victor Olofsson. With Olofsson earning his AHL-leading seventh power-play assist on the play, the rookie forward extended his point-streak to six games as he has posted 13 points (5+8) during that span. Belleville tied the game later in the first period and the two clubs entered the intermission break even at 2-2. The Amerks regained the lead, however, just 5:01 into the middle stanza as Guhle, who scored last night on a mini-breakaway, virtually duplicated the effort on a nearly identical play as he joined the rush on a 2-on-1 rush and split the pads of the netminder to make it a 3-2 score. Simpson and Zach Redmond picked up the helpers on play. By Redmond earning an assist, the veteran blueliner extended his point streak to a career-long seven games (4+8) while Guhle matched his career-best with his sixth point (2+4) in the last five games. The B-Sens, who were facing a 3-2 deficit with 14:59 to play in the second period, scored three of the game s next four goals, including a pair from Balisy to secure the 5-4 overtime win. The Amerks return home for the start of another three-game homestand on Friday, Oct. 26 when they host Utica Comets for a North Division showdown at The Blue Cross Arena. Game time is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start and can be heard live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM ESPN Rochester. The contest can also be viewed on AHLTV.
Amerks' win streak ends on overtime goal in Belleville Buffalo News By: Staff Report Chase Balisy scored his second goal of the game 14 seconds into overtime Saturday night to give the Belleville Senators a 5-4 victory over Rochester, ending the Americans winning streak at four games before 2,462 at CAA Arena in Belleville, Ont. The Amerks led, 4-3, after a goal by rookie defenseman William Borgen with 7:04 left in the third period but Adam Tambellini forged the game s fourth tie with his goal with 5:11 left with Kevin Porter of Rochester serving a 2-minute roughing penalty. Rochester took a 2-1 lead in the first period on consecutive goals by Brandon Hickey and Wayne Simpson (power play), but Jack Rodewald evened it with his goal with 2:24 to play in the frame. Victor Olofsson assisted on Simpson s goal, his ninth assist and 14th point in eight games. Brendan Guhle scored his second of the season for Rochester to make it 3-2 in the third, but Balisy s first goal of the game and the season made it 3-3 at 6:53 of the third. It came on the power play. Gabriel Gagne of the Senators, who had a goal and two assists, was the game s first star. Balisy was the second star with two goals and an assist. Rochester s Simpson had an assist to go with his goal and was the third star. Adam Wilcox made 25 saves in goal for Rochester. Mike McKenna had 32 for Belleville. With 11 points in the standings the Amerks (5-2-1 OTL) have a one-point lead over Cleveland (5-2-0), which won its game, 4-0, at Binghamton. Rochester comes home for games against the Utica Comets on Friday and the Laval Rocket on Saturday, both at 7 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena.
Amerks rout Comets for fourth straight win C&C WorldWide By: Staff Report The Rochester Americans (5-2-1-0) bid for a sixth straight victory came up short as Chase Balisy of the Belleville Senators (3-3- 0-0) scored his second goal of the night just 14 seconds into overtime to give the hosts a 5-4 victory Saturday night at the CAA Arena. Despite the overtime loss, the Amerks earned a point for the sixth consecutive contest to maintain their lead atop the American Hockey League s North Division standings. Wayne Simpson led the Amerks with a multi-point night (1+1) while Rochester s remaining offense was provided by defensemen, most notably from rookies Brandon Hickey and Will Borgen, who each scored their first professionals goals in the first and third periods, respectively. Fellow blueliner Brendan Guhle rounded out the team s scoring with his second goa in as many nights. Netminder Adam Wilcox was handed his first overtime loss of the season after starting 2-0-0 in his first two appearances in the blue paint. Wilcox shows a record of 4-0-2 in his last six games dating back to the end of the 2017-18 campaign. Balisy (2+1) and Gabriel Gagne (1+2) each recorded their first three points of the season for Belleville as the duo booked multipoint performances while Jack Rodewald and Adam Tambellini each found the back of the net as well for Belleville. Goaltender Mike McKenna, who nearly backstopped the Texas Stars to a Calder Cup championsip last season, earned his second straight victory on home ice after being handed a pair of road losses to begin his first stint with the B-Sens. The Amerks carried a 3-2 lead into the final period of regulation, but the B-Sens were able to tie the game at the 6:53 mark with 20 seconds to spare on their man-advantage. As the power-play clock was nearing its end, Gagne fired a shot from the left Wilcox, but Balisy was able to track the puck and redirected it behind the netminder to make it a 3-3 game. After seeing its lead briefly slip away, Borgen put Rochester back on top when he walked in from the right-point and slapped a shot past a screened McKenna with 7:04 remaining on the clock. Justin Bailey, who recorded an assist in Friday night s shootout win over Toronto, and Kyle Criscuolo were each awarded the helpers on Borgen s first-career AHL tally. Much like their goal earlier in the frame, the B-Sens drew another Amerks penalty and made it count as Tambellini wired a shot through Wilcox from just inside the right circle with just over five minutes to play that ultimately forced overtime. After winning the opening face-off in the extra session, Belleville drew the attention of the Rochester skaters as they entered the zone to the left of the blueline. As Tambellini skated down the left circle, he sent a cross-ice feed to Balisy, who redirected the puck into the cage for the game-winner just 14 seconds into the stanza. While the Amerks have an all-time record of 3-0-2-0 and have yet to lose in regulation in Belleville, tonight s contest was the third straight game that went beyond regulation to decide a winner in Canada between the two clubs. During the first period, the North Division rivals went back and forth as they each scored a pair of goals.
Five minutes after Hickey s first-career goal, Simpson pushed Rochester ahead as he redirected the Amerks league-leading 12th power-play goal from Matt Tennyson and Victor Olofsson. With Olofsson earning his AHL-leading seventh power-play assist on the play, the rookie forward extended his point-streak to six games as he has posted 13 points (5+8) during that span. Belleville tied the game later in the first period and the two clubs entered the intermission break even at 2-2. The Amerks regained the lead, however, just 5:01 into the middle stanza as Guhle, who scored last night on a mini-breakaway, virtually duplicated the effort on a nearly identical play as he joined the rush on a 2-on-1 rush and split the pads of the netminder to make it a 3-2 score. Simpson and Zach Redmond picked up the helpers on play. By Redmond earning an assist, the veteran blueliner extended his point streak to a career-long seven games (4+8) while Guhle matched his career-best with his sixth point (2+4) in the last five games. The B-Sens, who were facing a 3-2 deficit with 14:59 to play in the second period, scored three of the game s next four goals, including a pair from Balisy to secure the 5-4 overtime win. The Amerks return home for the start of another three-game homestand on Friday, Oct. 26 when they host Utica Comets for a North Division showdown at the Blue Cross Arena. Game time is slated for a 7:05 pm start and can be heard live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM ESPN Rochester. The contest can also be viewed on AHLTV.
Senators win 5-4 in overtime The Intelligencer By: Staff Report Chase Balisy scored the overtime winner as the Belleville Senators beat the Rochester Americans 5-4 in overtime Saturday night at CAA Arena. Balisy had a goal in regulation while Gabriel Gagne, Jack Rodewald and Adam Tambellini also scored while Mike McKenna made 32 saves. The Amerks had goals from Brandon Hickey, Wayne Simpson, Brendan Guhle and William Borgen while Adam Wilcox stopped 25 shots. It took 14 seconds for the Senators to win the game in overtime as Christian Wolanin flew down the left wing before centering to a charging Balisy who buried his second goal of the night. Belleville headed into the third period down 3-2 and found the tying goal at 6:53 on the power play through Balisy who had his stick on the ice to redirect Gagne s centering pass past Wilcox. The visitors re-took the lead with 7:04 to play through Borgen s first professional goal but Belleville got the equalizer with 5:11 left as Tambellini notched his first of the year with a wrister from the slot that beat Wilcox blocker side down low. After a fast-paced opening 10 minutes it wasn t until the second half of the first period that the goals started flying in and it was Gagne who got things going as he wound up his patented slap shot to beat Wilcox at 10:56 for his first goal of the season. Rochester found an equalizer at 12:48 through rookie defenceman Hickey whose shot from the blue line looked to have changed direction on the way to the net as he grabbed his first career professional goal. The visitors had the lead at 17:15 through Simpson as he changed the direction of Kevin Porter s point shot for his second goal of the year with his new club. But Belleville needed only 21 seconds to equalize as Rodewald s third of the year also came on a redirect as he changed the direction of Erik Burgdoerfer s point shot. Rochester restored its lead at 5:01 of the second as they grabbed a 3-2 advantage on Guhle s second of the season as beat McKenna with a forehand-backhand move. The Senators had three power play opportunities in the period but couldn t find a way past Wilcox, who nearly got a helping hand from Justin Bailey who was denied by the right pad of McKenna on a shorthanded breakaway. Rodewald played in his 150th career AHL game while Burgdoerfer notched his 50th career AHL assist. The Senators return to action Wednesday night at CAA Arena as the Binghamton Devils make their visit to Belleville this season.