By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester goalie Linus Ullmark posts his first shutout of the season with a 2-0 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – For just the second time this season the Rochester Americans are on a 3-game winning streak.
The Amerks completed the 3-in-3 weekend sweep with a 2-0 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon before 4,284 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
Goalie Linus Ullmark registered his first AHL shutout as he recorded 28 saves, several of the spectacular variety, in posting his 24th win of the campaign. Ullmark leads the AHL in saves (1,413), shots-against (1,558), games played (52), and minutes played (3,023). His 24 wins are fifth in the league.
Special teams accounted for both the Amerks goals.
In the first period, with Mat Bodie in the penalty box for hi-sticking, Hudson Fasching blocked a Thunderbirds’ shot in the Amerks zone, and headed up ice on the left wing. Derek Grant broke up center ice, slowed to let Fasching cross the blue line first. Fasching drew the defender over, then passed the puck to Grant, who broke in alone on Springfield netminder Adam Wilcox and beat him with a shot to the upper right corner for the 1-0 lead midway through the stanza.
The game remained that way until the final two minutes when the Thunderbirds were whistled for a penalty. Nick Baptiste ended up scoring an insurance goal into the empty net to secure the victory.
The Amerks have 10 games remaining in the regular season, 6 are at the BCA starting on Friday, March 31 versus the Utica Comets.
“The reality is, we are of the growth mind-set,” said Lambert of the remainder of the season. “We want to get better every single day. That’s our job…We’re not going to fold up the tent and say we’re going home in a month. That’s not our mentality. And that’s not the approach we’re going to take as coaches, and I don’t think the players will take that approach either.”
*NOTES – Williamsville native Justin Bailey, who is third on the team in goal scoring with 19, was a healthy scratch…Recent ATO (amateur tryout) signees, forward Justin Danforth and defenseman Ian Brady, played in their second pro game for Rochester on Sunday…Nick Baptiste’s goal was his team-leading 22nd of the season…Cole Schneider continues to lead the Amerks in scoring with 54 points (20 goals + 34 assists)…Fellow Swedish goalie Jonas Johansson made his AHL debut in Saturday’s come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Binghamton Senators. Linus Ullmark was the backup. The pair switched positions for Sunday’s contest…The Amerks kick off another 3-in-3 weekend on Friday, March 31 as they play host to the Utica Comets. Following Friday’s 7:05 pm matchup, the two teams play again on Saturday, April 1 when the series shifts to the Mohawk Valley for a 7 pm showdown at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Rochester concludes the weekend on Sunday, April 2 in Albany against the Devils.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Derek Grant short-handed goal – https://youtu.be/QoRoLkYfI5A
Linus Ullmark power play save – https://youtu.be/626ACyUhk8A
Patrick Mullen thwarted – https://youtu.be/eHlbGWhYVLM
Springfield hit on Tim Kennedy – https://youtu.be/Z3czKWHA0kI
Nick Baptiste empty net goal – https://youtu.be/rCw3P33g3Sc
Linus Ullmark interview – https://youtu.be/fJeovux-rjU
Derek Grant interview – https://youtu.be/cOATWFbhmx0
Dan Lambert interview – https://youtu.be/ZxrcMOtt6TQ