By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester misses several excellent scoring chances in the 2-1 loss to the Comets.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A goaltenders’ battle highlighted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. matinee between the Rochester Americans and Utica Comets Monday afternoon before 3,848 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
Linus Ullmark recorded 40 saves through the overtime, but yielded one goal in the shootout, which turned out to be enough for Utica.
“Linus has been great all year,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. “He got us another point in the standings today. He has a lot of confidence and he cares a lot about this team.”
Comets’ netminder Thatcher Demko turned aside all 3 shots by the Amerks in the shootout for the 2-1 victory. He finished the contest with 27 saves.
“Both goaltenders played really well,” said Amerks captain Kevin Porter. “There were a lot of good scoring chances in the game, both for us and them, but Linus gave us a chance to win the game and the same can be said with Utica’s goaltender.”
Seth Griffith bore the goat horns for the Amerks as he was unable to convert on two opportunities. The first was a penalty shot in the final minute of regulation, and the second came In the shootout as he was Rochester’s third shooter.
“I tried to make a move on Demko but I lost control of the puck,” said Griffith, who appeared in his 300th professional game. “I think if I get the puck up and do not lose it, I score. But in the shootout when I had an empty net, I need to bare down more and make the most of those opportunities.”
However, Griffith accounted for the lone Rochester goal on a power play in the second period. Brendan Guhle blasted a shot from the left point that Griffith redirected. Zach Redmond also drew an assist on the play.
Taylor has not been pleased with the effort of some of the players.
“Our 50/50 battles (for pucks) have not been good,” said Taylor, whose club played poorly in Syracuse as they were blanked by the Crunch, 4-0, Saturday. “Syracuse, they work hard. Utica, they work hard. We don’t play well against them because of that, and that bugs me.
“We’re supposed to be going upwards, not downwards, and we’re going downwards right now.”
*NOTES – The Amerks hit the road for the rest of the month and do not return to the BCA until Friday, Feb. 2 against the Toronto Marlies at 7:05 pm…The Amerks are 12-2-4-2 on the road while just 11-8-0-1 at the BCA…Despite the loss, the Amerks have earned 27 points in their last 31 games and have collected 46 points dating back to Nov. 1.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Seth Griffith power play goal – https://youtu.be/qMzSlHIAUVE
Seth Griffith shootout shot – https://youtu.be/AWuS_k3S7lA
Linus Ullmark saves in OT – https://youtu.be/uxn2m94BAvU