By CRAIG POTTER
A trio of former Rochester players help the Senators achieve a 4-1 victory.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans dropped their first home game in December on Monday night, 4-1, to the Binghamton Senators before 4,588 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
Two former Amerks were responsible for giving the visitors a 2-1 lead in the first period.
Justin Bailey got the Amerks on the scoreboard first with a shot from the right circle off assits from the newest Amerk, Cal O’Reilly and Casey Nelson midway through the first period.
“We had a strong first period despite trailing 2-1,” said Bailey. “We came out and played our game but over the last two periods we got away from the things that made us successful for whatever reason, and against a team like Binghamton, they do not give their opponents much room and it came back to bite us tonight.”
“I thought we were good early during the opening period,” said Amerks head coach Dan Lambert. “We had chances over the course of the frame to get a lead but we unfortunately did not. Binghamton, on the other hand, had a few chances during the first 20 minutes, and they were able to capitalize and ultimately it was the difference marker.”
The B-Sens tied the game on a delayed penalty less than a minute later before Chris Rumble scored of an assist from former Amerk Jason Akeson.
With under 2 minutes to play in the stanza, Akeson picked up his second assist as he passed the puck to another former Amerk, Phil Varone, whose shot was directed by Nick Paul past Rochester netminder Linus Ullmark for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Despite outshooting the B-Sens, 14-6, the Amerks trailed at the end of the first period, 2-1.
After a scoreless second stanza, with Rochester holding a 23-16 edge in shots, the visitors from the Southern Tier tacked on a pair of third period goals as they outshot the Amerks, 15-4.
Former Amerks defenseman Michael Kostka received an assist on Binghamton’s third goal midway through the period.
The team goes on its Christmas break now with the Amerks next game next Monday, Dec. 26 against the Syracuse Crunch.
*NOTES — The Amerks announced that forward Tim Kennedy has been reassigned to the team from the Charlotte Checkers. With his reassignment, his AHL rights have been transferred to Rochester. “Over the weekend we signed Tim to an American Hockey League contract to join the Rochester Americans,” said Buffalo Sabres General Manager Tim Murray. “The signing triggered the AHL waiver process and Tim was initially claimed by Charlotte. Charlotte has since transferred his contract back to our organization. We’re are happy to have Tim join the Amerks and look forward to his contributions this season.” Kennedy, 30, began the 2016-17 season with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League, registering four points (2+2) in 18 games. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound forward split the 2015-16 campaign in the KHL between Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik and Jokerit Helsinki, where he collected 14 points (4+10) in 47 combined contests. Kennedy makes his return to the Amerks after recording 7 assists in 14 games for the team during the 2010-11 campaign. A native of Buffalo, Kennedy made his pro debut with the Portland Pirates during the 2008-09 season, leading all AHL rookies in assists (49) and points (67) while ranking among the league’s top 20 point-getters. He won the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Awards as the AHL’s top scoring rookie and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team…In a corresponding move, the Amerks also reassigned goaltender Jason Kasdorf to the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL…Cole Schneider is a former Senator. He had 4 points (2+2) in 2 games against his former club. One of his goals earlier this season was the game-winner with 45 seconds left in regulation as Rochester won both games earlier this season in Binghamton.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Binghamton Senator goal – https://youtu.be/fMIlrZag-xg
Taylor Fedun hits pipe – https://youtu.be/HmAcOgjXyMc
Justin Bailey interview – https://youtu.be/Ru4_KqzdNrs
Tim Kennedy interview – https://youtu.be/LcDFMUCl0pQ