By CRAIG POTTER
Seth Griffith scores 1 and assists on the other 2 goals in the 3-1 win over the Phantoms.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Americans kept pace with the Toronto Marlies in posting a 3-1 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday night before 5,976 fans on Star Wars Night at the Blue Cross Arena.
The win keeps the Amerks and Marlies tied with 50 points atop the North Division, as well as co-leaders in the Eastern Conference.
Fourth-year veteran Seth Griffith had a hand in all 3 Rochester goals. He assisted on the first two and scored an empty netter to secure the victory.
“The guys are great here and I feel at home,” said Griffith, who was sent down on Nov. 27 by the Buffalo Sabres. In 17 games with Rochester Griffith has 5 goals and 11 assists. “There was an adjustment at the start, getting used to the guys but they’re all good guys.”
However, the turning point of the game came about 5 minutes into the second stanza with the scored tied 1-1. Veteran defenseman Stuart Percy found himself facing a 3-on-1 Lehigh Valley break. While the Phantoms attempted to pass from the right wing over to the left wing, Percy got his stick on the puck and knocked it out of harm’s way.
“That was great. He stood his ground,” said Amerks coach Chris Taylor of the play.
Rochester rookie C.J. Smith continued to add to his team-leading point total with a power play goal 5:39 into the opening period.
Team captain Kevin Porter knocked home a pass across the front of the crease from Griffith and easily beat LV goalie Dustin Tokarski to put the Amerks back in front midway through the second period.
Griffith then added the empty-netter in the final 2 minutes of the game.
Taylor has been keeping his lines intact for a reason. On the empty net tally, the Porter to Griffith pass was a typical example. Taylor said players like knowing where their linemate is going to be, so that familiarity makes two on ones and no look passes more successful.
“Someone else might not have got that,” Taylor said of linemates who have not been playing together regularly.
Linus Ullmark recorded 26 saves as he started back-to-back games, a rarity by coach Chris Taylor. He won Friday night’s game, 3-2, over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in overtime.
“We pushed him,” Taylor said of his second start in two nights. “We need him to be our best penalty killer and Linus was our best penalty killer. He played the puck very well for us. That’s big for our defense especially against a team like this.”
*NOTES – Fairport native Cole Bardreau is a member of the Phantoms. The third-year pro, however has played just 6 games this season as he has been sidelined with an injury. He skated with the team earlier in the day but did not suit up for the game. The 5-foot-10, 193 lbs., 24-year-old forward has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points. He is plus-3 and has 21 penalty minutes…Former Amerk Phil Varone leads the Phantoms in scoring with 38 points on 10 goals and 28 assists. Another former Amerk, defenseman T.J. Brennan, scored LV’s lone goal midway through the first period that tied the contest, 1-1…The Amerks travel to Belleville for a game Wednesday night against the Senators…Injuries also prevented Greece native Stephen Gionta from playing in Friday’s overtime victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Spencerport native Shane Prince also had been with Bridgeport on a rehab assignment but now is back with the parent New York Islanders.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
C.J. Smith power play goal – https://youtu.be/w6TCIzxO_2g
Linus Ullmark penalty kill save – https://youtu.be/gSJQLMRoNYw
Seth Griffith empty net goal – https://youtu.be/o_EvZ6jRoq0