Rochester seeks to snap its 6-game winless skid on Wednesday in Utica.
By Erica Whyte
The Rochester Americans enter the final week of November looking to get back on the winning track after seeing their skid reach six games this past week.
The week began with a 6-4 loss on Wednesday to the Providence Bruins, who were making their lone appearance of the season in Rochester. The Amerks responded with the final three goals of the night, but it was too little, too late, as the Bruins scored six straight between the first and second periods to come away with the win. Three of Rochester’s six goals on the night were scored on the power-play, tying a season-high.
On Friday, Rochester grabbed a 2-1 lead after the first period, but the Utica Comets answered with a pair of markers over the final two periods on their way to a 5-2 win over the Amerks Friday night at the Blue Cross Arena. It was the second straight game the Amerks would open the scoring less than two minutes in. The Amerks will have another crack at their rivals from the east tomorrow night to bring their November slate to a close.
Rochester was in Albany Saturday to take on the Devils, who stormed out to a 4-0 lead before the Amerks were able to find the net twice in final 2:34 of the third period. The loss was the sixth straight to Albany dating back to last season and the second setback to the Devils since Nov. 16.
With key Amerks players continuing to bounce between Buffalo and Rochester, some fresh faces are making scoring dents. Newcomer Kyle Bonis scored for the second straight game on Friday and Mike Aviani scored his first goal as an Amerk on Saturday night.
“Despite the lack of wins, individually, I think there are some guys coming out of their shells a little bit,” said Amerks head coach Dan Lambert about the team’s weekend performance following practice Monday at the Blue Cross Arena. “Now we’ve got to find a way to beat some good hockey teams.”
Second-year forward Nick Baptiste is continuing to make in impact on the ice. He has been Rochester’s leading point-getter since returning from his most recent NHL call-up on Nov. 18. A third-round pick of Buffalo in 2013, Baptiste totaled nine points (8+1) over a career-long six-game point streak before seeing it halted Saturday in Albany. He compiled three multi-point outings over a five-game span during the stretch, including back-to-back two-goal games in between recalls to Buffalo. He’s currently tied for third in the AHL with a team-best nine goals and is tied for sixth with four power-play tallies through just 11 games this season. One of three Amerks players averaging more than a point-per-game, Baptiste is on pace to best the 13 goals he scored in 62 games during his rookie campaign.
“I’ve just been playing my game and getting pucks to the net,” said Baptiste. “My linemates have been great. They’ve been the key to my success,” Baptiste said about his hot streak.