Rochester overcomes a 3-0 deficit to beat the Devils, 5-3, after losing to Albany on Friday night.
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Albany Devils, 5-3, on Saturday evening at the Times Union Center.
The victory helped avenge a 2-1 setback to the Devils on Friday night at the Blue Cross Arena as the visitors from Capital City outshot the hosts, 36-19.
Trailing 3-0 after being outshot 16-3 in the first period of the back-to-back games, the Amerks erupted for 3 goals of their own in the second stanza to tie the game.
Rookie Daniel Muzito-Bagenda started the barrage off assists from Alex Nylander and Paul Geiger. Rookie Vaclav Karabacek scored his first goal of the season 62 seconds later. About 3 minutes after that, Cole Schneider tallied his 16th goal of the campaign off an assist from Tim Kennedy.
Rochester pulled ahead, 4-3, midway through the third stanza when Kennedy scored off an assist from Tyson Strachan. It was the first shot on goal by either team in the period.
Justin Bailey ended his 3-game pointless drought with his 18th goal of the season to give the Amerks a 5-3 advantage with 3 minutes to play. Nylander and Casey Nelson picked up assists on the play.
The 2 assists are Nylander’s first points for the Amerks in 10 games since rejoining the team following the World Junior Championship. He also led the team with 4 shots on goal against the Devils.
Rochester netminder Linus Ullmark recorded 23 saves in earning the victory.
The Amerks are off for the American Hockey League’s All-Star break, which is taking place in Allentown, PA., with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms as the host. Cole Schneider and Linus Ullmark will be representing Rochester in their first appearance each in the AHL All-Star game.
Rochester makes a return trip to New England Feb. 3 and 4 for games against the Bridgewater Sound Tigers and Hartford Wolf Pack, respectively.
The Amerks return to the BCA on Friday, Feb. 10, against Albany.