6 different Rochester players score in the 6-3 victory over the Crunch.
By CRAIG POTTER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans earned their initial victory of the season with a 6-3 triumph over the Syracuse Crunch before 2,394 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
Special teams were involved in 5 of the 9 total goals as the Amerks went 3-for-4 on the power play, including one with a 2-man advantage. They also tallied a shorthanded marker.
It was Kind of a strange first period as the Crunch dominated the first 7 minutes, outshooting the Amerks 6-1.
Rochester then dominated over the next 8 minutes in getting a 2-man advantage power play goal from Danny O’Regan, off assists from Alex Nylander and Zach Redmond. The Amerks fired 11 shots to none for Syracuse.
But the Crunch, however, dominated the last 5 minutes and it paid off with a power play goal with .9 seconds remaining to knot the game, 1-1.
Rochester held a 13-10 shot advantage at the end of the stanza.
Special teams and turnovers was the theme for the second period.
“You always don’t want to count on your special teams to win you games but we definitely have some skill in here,” Redmond said. “We have young guys who know what they’re doing on the power play, which worked well for us. Get our confidence going on the power play.”
C.J. Smith put the Amerks back in front with a shorthanded tally off an assist to Kyle Criscuolo.
The duo then combined to force a turnover in the Syracuse zone by Smith, who fed Criscuolo for the goal and a 3-1 lead.
“Those two guys definitely changed the game,” said Amerks coach Chris Taylor. “They’re dynamic. CJ’s speed is staying at the NHL level. The two of them work well together, and I like the combination of (rookie undrafted free agent Andrew) Oglevie with them.
“I think it’s a great line. They’re dynamic. I think they can score big goals for us, and that’s what they did tonight.”
“I think our line is playing pretty well all three games,” Criscuolo added. “It definitely feels good to be out with CJ again.”
Redmond netted another power play goal for the Amerks on a blast from the left point. It turned out to be the game-winning tally for the No. 1 Star of the Game. Swedish rookies Larry Pilut and Victor Olofsson drew assists.
The Crunch then forced a turnover in the Rochester end and scored just 6 seconds later to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Pilut netted a power play goal in the third period with a blast from the left point. Olofsson and Redmond received assists on the play.
About 5 minutes later, Olofsson scored Rochester’s lone even strength goal as O’Regan and Jack Dougherty picked up assists. It was the Swedish rookie’s first AHL goal of his career.
When asked how he is adjusting to the North American game, Olofsson said, “It feels great . The ice is smaller than I’m used to and I’m adjusting. I’ve got to keep working. Hopefully it will be even better.”
For the second time in the game, the Crunch (1-1) scored in the final minute of a period to account for their third goal.
Adam Wilcox made his first start in net for Rochester (1-2) and finished with 30 saves.
This was the first of 12 meetings this season between the Amerks and Crunch.
Hocktoberfest
The world’s largest festival in Bavaria comes to Rochester for the first-ever ‘Hocktoberfest’ presented by Rohrbach Brewing Company on Friday, Oct. 19 when the Rochester Americans play host to the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at 7:05 pm at the Blue Cross Arena.
In true Hocktoberfest fashion, the night will be highlighted by German-themed food and drink specials, live music from the Krazy Firemen and a custom Amerks stein giveaway to the first 500 fans aged 21 and older courtesy of Rohrbach Brewing Company.
*NOTES — Syracuse head coach Benoit Groulx spent 2 seasons behind the bench oin Rochester from 2008-10, guiding the team to a playoff berth during the 2009-10 campaign…The Amerks have scored a power play goal in 9 of the last 13 games against the Crunch, going 11-for-49 (22.4%) with the man-advantage over that span…Rochester forward Wayne Simpson is the AHL’s current leader in consecutive games played with 189. The Boxborough, MA., natvie appeared in all 76 games with the Hershey Bears and Providence Bruins over each of the last 2 seasons prior to joining the Amerks this summer…Andrew MacWilliam played his first game of the season following a 3-game suspension the defenseman picked up for an incident dating back to Game 2 in the Calder Cup playoffs last season versus Syracuse. The Crunch swept the 3-game series, which is why the suspension continued over into the first 2 game of this season…The Amerks go on their first road trip with games at 1 and 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday, respectively, in Bridgeport, CT., against the Sound Tigers. They are in Utica next Wednesday night and return to the BCA next Friday (Oct. 19) to face the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies.
Videos
Adam Wilcox save on the penalty kill in the first period:
Brought to you by C&C Worldwide, supporting greecenylive.com, irondequoitlive.com, penfieldlive.com, websterlive.com and rochesternylive.com. Video by Craig Potter.
Rochester Americans goalie Adam Wilcox makes a save on a penalty kill against the Syracuse Crunch in the first period Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena before 2,394 fans. The Amerks won the game 6-3 for their initial win of the season. Discover the Healthy Living Mall where you will find the Healthy Living Resources for you to attain your health goals. Check it out at: http://digijunction.com/health/potter10
Danny O’Regan power play goal in the first period:
Brought to you by C&C Worldwide, supporting greecenylive.com, irondequoitlive.com, penfieldlive.com, websterlive.com and rochesternylive.com. Video by Craig Potter.
Rochester Americans forward Danny O’Regan (65) scores on a power play against the Syracuse Crunch in the first period Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena before 2,394 fans. The Amerks won the game 6-3 for their initial win of the season.
Discover the Healthy Living Mall where you will find the Healthy Living Resources for you to attain your health goals. Check it out at: http://digijunction.com/health/potter10
Zach Redmond game-winner power play goal:
Brought to you by C&C Worldwide, supporting greecenylive.com, irondequoitlive.com, penfieldlive.com, websterlive.com and rochesternylive.com. Video by Craig Potter.
Rochester Americans defenseman Zach Redmond (22) scores on a power play against the Syracuse Crunch in the second period that proved to be the game-winner Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena before 2,394 fans. The Amerks won the game 6-3 for their initial win of the season.
Discover the Healthy Living Mall where you will find the Healthy Living Resources for you to attain your health goals. Check it out at: http://digijunction.com/health/potter10