Rochester holds off the Toronto Marlies, 3-2.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans posted their second straight victory on Friday night with a 3-2 victory over North Division foe Toronto Marlies before 6,060 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
The Amerks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period.
“It was very important to get a lead against a team like Toronto,” said Amerks head coach Dan Lambert. “It was big because lately we have not had the best of luck in the last few weeks when we have fallen behind.”
The team’s top two point-scorers, Cal O’Reilly (22 points) and Cole Schneider (20 points) combined on the first goal just 1:07 into the action. O’Reilly stole the puck from a Marlies defenseman, then passed it to Schneider, who ripped it past Toronto goalie Jeff Glass.
Nick Baptiste netted his 10th goal of the season on a power play for the 2-0 lead. Eric Cornel and Alex Nylander assisted on the play.
“We are focused and we are really executing on the power-play lately,” said Baptiste. “Both of units have been good, and despite the success we have lately, we know we still can be better.”
The Marlies tallied their first goal less than two minutes into the second period against Linus Ullmark, who finished with 33 saves in gaining the victory.
In the third stanza, Rochester defenseman Brady Austin blasted a shot from the left point that O’Reilly tipped for a 3-1 margin. It was Austin’s first point of the season as Baptiste also drew an assist on the goal.
Toronto pulled Glass for an extra attacker with about 3 minutes remaining in the game. They drew to within 3-2 with 1:36 to play, but Ullmark and the defense kept the Marlies at baye the preserve the victory.
The Rochester penalty killers were stellar in the second period when Rochester not only killed off a 2-man disadvantage for 1:18, but also killed off a 4-on-3 and 5-on-4 during that 2-minute stretch. Right after that ended, the Amerks drew another 2-minute penalty by Baptiste, which the team also killed off.
“I thought out penalty kill unit was big during that period,” said Lambert. “Usually during a 5-on-3 situation, your biggest penalty-killer is your goaltender and that was true tonight with Linus.”
The Amerks outshot the Marlies 15-12 in the first period, but were outshot a combined 23-10 over the second and third periods.
*NOTES – The Amerks embark on a season-long 4-game road trip on Saturday when they visit the Syracuse Crunch for the fifth meeting between the two teams thus far…Rochester does not play at the BCA again until Wednesday, Dec. 14, also against the Marlies…Cal O’Reilly leads the Amerks in points with 22, after his 2-point game, as Cole Schneider picked up one point for his 20th. Nick Baptiste and rookie Alexander Nylander are next as each has 14 points…Baptiste leads the team in goals with 10 as Schneider has 9.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Nick Baptiste interview – https://youtu.be/aucy7bJv9Z8
Cal O’Reilly interview – https://youtu.be/8QZGNCEiYR4
Linus Ullmark interview – https://youtu.be/I66P8Zafq2c
Dan Lambert interview – https://youtu.be/KWaREL24RYE