Rochester drops the last 2 games of the 3-in-3 weekend to the Crunch.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans opened their 61st American Hockey League season with a 3-in-3 weekend. The Amerks started the weekend strong with a home-opening 5-4 victory over the Hershey Bears, but concluded it on down notes with a 4-1 lose to the Crunch in Syracuse on Saturday, followed up by a 6-3 victory for the Crunch on Sunday evening before 3,012 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
“To be honest I feel were lucky to get two points (out of the weekend),” Lambert said. “When you look at the amount of time we spent in our ‘D’ zone, the amount of time that we defended, the lack of ‘O’ zone that we had, and the lack of shots that we had, we nearly made it 5-4 tonight with an opportunity to tie it up. It’s pretty to push back when you’re down by two or three.”
Second-year forward Evan Rodrigues opened the scoring for Rochester with a blast from the right circle early in the first period. However, that was the only lead the Amerks enjoyed in the contest.
The Amerks turned the puck over twice in the final four minutes of the stanza and the Crunch converted them into goals past rookie netminder Jason Kasdorf, who was making his professional debut.
Another turnover and a power play goal extended the visitors from the Salt City lead to 4-1 in period two.
“You look at the number of turnovers we had over the last three nights, it’s probably enough to last you two weeks,” Lambert said. “Those are things we can’t do. I think we you defend as much as we did, that’s where the problem lies.
“We have plays to be made and we’re not making them. Everybody needs to be better…We need to play desperate from the get-go.”
Veteran defenseman Tyson Strachan made it a 4-2 game, with assists going to third-year pro Mac Bennett and rookie Alex Nylander.
“The 3-in-3 is tough with the travel, but we’ll be going through it all year,” Strachan said. “This is the first weekend of the year and we’ve got a lot of growing to do.
“We’ve got 15 new guys in this room and we’ve got to figure out where our strengths are.”
The Crunch answered about a minute-and-a-half later to regain their 3-goal advantage.
In the third period, Nylander scored his first professional goal and he forced a turnover in the Syracuse zone and beat the Crunch goalie Adam Wilcox with a shot from the slot.
“It felt good to get that one done but we didn’t get the win, which was the most important thing,” said Nylander.
The Amerks thought they cut the margin to 5-4 with 5:19 to play on a shot by Justin Falk. But referee Nick Gill ruled goalie interference on the Amerks and the goal was disallowed.
“You look for lessons all the time,” Strachan said. “The first weekend, there are going to be mistakes. You’re going to take the positive out of that.”
The Crunch secured the victory with a power play goal on a hi-sticking penalty against William Carrier.
Lambert refused to use the 3-in-3 as an excuse.
“At the end of the day you’re a professional ice hockey player,” Lambert said. “You’re object is to play every single game. That’s your job, and your job is to show-up. If you’re going to use overtired, that’s a mental thing because physically you’re capable of pushing through things.”
Rochester next plays on Friday night when the Amerks play host to the Toronto Marlies.
*NOTES – The newest Amerk, Justin Vaive, is the son of former Amerk Rick Vaive.Dan Catenacci was scratched for the game, and when coach Dan Lambert was asked what was wrong with him, he gave an evasive answer, which was inferred a healthy scratch but not mentally ready to play. “We certainly could used Cat,” Lambert said, “but we have the players that we have and we have to find a way to be successful.”
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Alex Nylander interview – https://youtu.be/ubA6YybH73U
Tyson Strachan interview – https://youtu.be/BmCAn_3LdlY
Coach Dan Lambert interview – https://youtu.be/Zh6M1SF-d_A