The Thunderbirds tie the game and win it in OT, both by power play tallies.
SPRINGFIELD, MA. — Despite a season-high of 50 shots on goal, including 26 in the first period, the Rochester Americans (5-2-1-1) suffered their first overtime loss of the season to the Springfield Thunderbirds (6-4-0-0) at the MassMutual Center on Sunday night.
By earning a point in the 2-1 overtime loss, the Amerks have earned 12 out of a possible 18 points throughout their first nine games of the season. Tonight was just the 10th all-time meeting between the two clubs, with Rochester claiming six of the last eight get-togethers.
Amerks forward Tage Thompson scored his fourth goal of the season at the start of the second period, while Rasmus Asplund and Sean Malone each tallied an assist. Goaltender Jonas Johansson (2-1-1) stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced in his third straight appearance.
Springfield’s Paul Thompson provided the marker that sent the tilt into overtime with his second of the campaign, before Henrik Borgstrom capitalized on a power-play goal in the extra frame to give the Thunderbirds their fourth straight victory. Netminder Chris Driedger(3-3-0) got the win while making a career-high 49 saves.
When the Amerks took a tripping infraction halfway through the third period, the Thunderbirds capitalized on the ensuing man-advantage, tying up the game at one apiece with 9:37 to play in regulation. Following a shot from the right point by Borgstrom that hit off the left pad of the Rochester netminder, Paul Thompson came in to tip in the equalizer, ultimately forcing overtime.
In the extra frame, both goaltenders made some grade-A saves, but a hooking penalty would force another man-advantage situation for the Amerks opponent late in overtime. Springfield won the ensuing face-off and Borgstrom notched his second point of the night, sending the game-winner over the right shoulder of Johansson from the left circle to seal the win for the Thunderbirds.
Things started out well for the Amerks as they outshot the Thundersbirds 26-7 in the first period before Tage Thompson backhanded Rochester’s lone goal of the night just 55 seconds into the second period.
The Amerks close out the first month of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 30 when they welcome the Providence Bruins to the Blue Cross Arena at 7:05 pm for the only time this season. Rochester fell in the first matchup between the two teams earlier this month by a 3-2 score during the team’s annual trek through New England.
Amerks sign goalie
Rochester Americans General Manager Randy Sexton announced Sunday that the team has signed goaltender Christian O’Shea to Professional Tryout (PTO). Goaltender Andrew Hammond is unavailable for tonight’s contest at Springfield due to an illness.
*NOTES — Tonight’s game is just the 10th all-time meeting between the two teams. Rochester swept the season series during the 2017-18 season by a combined score of 6-3 and have won six of the last seven get-togethers…In the nine previous meetings between the Amerks and Thunderbirds, Rochester’s shorthanded until has killed off 34 of the last 38 man-down situations, good for a 89.5 % success rate…Springfield assistant coach Doug Janik has ties to Rochester having spent time in the Flower City as a player and was inducted into the Amerks Hall of Fame in 2019. Janik, a Springfield native, appeared in 376 career games in Rochester, the third-most among any blueliner in franchise history, and his 91 points (18+73) still rank 30th among all-time defensemen in franchise history…Thunderbirds forward Daniel Audette is the son of former Amerk Donald Audette.