By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester forces overtime but cannot take advantage of chances and fall 2-1 in a shootout to the Devils.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Americans were frustrated at not getting all 6 points this weekend as they stumbled for the second straight night in extra time to the Binghamton Devils.
“I thought we played okay in the first period,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. “Just because Binghamton is where they are in the standings, does not necessarily mean a win. They’re a good team who has lost a lot of games by one goal, but I am disappointed with the outcome. We cannot be happy with just earning one point, and after Friday night’s game, I think we thought it was going to be an easier weekend, but every team plays hard.”
The Amerks did manage to score Sunday afternoon, by Kyle Criscuolo in the second period, but missed a chance to win the game in overtime when Criscuolo failed to connect on a penalty shot.
“I knew the ice wasn’t great,” said Criscuolo. “I wanted to try to make a move, but I was a little hesitant. I have to be able to control the puck better and find a way to score there.
“Getting the extra point in against teams in the Division is crucial for us as the season moves along.”
The Amerks were unable to score in the shootout as well.
“We know it’s not good enough,” said veteran defenseman Nathan Paetsch.
From dominating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (12-3 Friday night) to back-to-back losses to Binghamton in less than 48 hours was unacceptable for Amerks coach Chris Taylor.
“I’m not happy about how we’re playing,” said Taylor. The team has won just three time in the past 15 games. “We have to be tougher, grittier, win our 50/50 battles, care more about each other.”
One player who epitomizes the team’s struggles is second-year winger Alex Nylander. The Sabres first-round pick in 2016. Taylor had hoped Friday night (2 goals, 2 assists) would jump-start to a consistent production level. However, Nylander has been far from effective again this season with just 4 goals and 9 assists in 31 games.
He did a lot of good things against the Penguins, but Saturday he had just one shot on goal and Sunday he didn’t have a shot, even as the Amerks’ third shooter in the shootout.
“I’m not sure if he poke-checked it or if I lost control,” said Nylander.
Regardless, Nylander had a chance to be the hero, but left empty-handed instead.
“He has to get hungrier,” Taylor said. “If you don’t shine in this league, where else are you going to?”
*NOTES – Amerks forward Colin Blackwell was suspended 2 games by the AHL for his check Friday night in the game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He missed today’s game and will sit out Wednesday’s game vs. Syracuse…The Amerks will journey on the Thruway Wednesday to the KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo to take on the Crunch in a 7:05 pm start…The Amerks remain as one of the top AHL teams on the road this season with a 14-4-8-3 record in 29 games. Their 4 regulations losses are tied for the fewest in the league….Forwards Kevin Porter and Sean Malone each recorded a team-high 3 shots on goal for Rochester while goalie Adam Wilcox made his 20th start, allowing just 1 goal for his second straight appearance. The third-year netminder boasts an 8-4-6 record on the season but is winless in his last 3 starts.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Kyle Criscuolo pen shot – https://youtu.be/KBo8pD9b-vM
Linus Ullmark OT save – https://youtu.be/iv_PMkDQFuI
Kevin Porter OT shot – https://youtu.be/4tXql-xGup8