Rochester fails to capitalize on its chances as the Checkers post a 3-1 win.
By CRAIG POTTER / C&C Worldwide Sports Director
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — “The Force” was not with the Rochester Americans on Star Wars Night Saturday against the defending calder Cup Champion Charlotte Checkers before 4,033 spectators at the Blue Cross Arena.
After shutting out the defending champs, 4-0, Friday night at the BCA, the visitors from North Carolina rebounded for a 3-1 victory Saturday to split the back-to-back contests.
The regulation loss was the first for the Amerks (15-4-2-2) in 14 over a 39-day period.
The Checkers jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first period with a pair of power play tallies, scoring 7:27 into the stanza to end the scoreless minutes at 67. The visitors added their second goal about 10 minutes later.
Rochester broke into the scoring column in the second period when Jean-Sebastien Dea scored off assists from Jacob Bryson and John Gilmour.
The Amerks had several excellent scoring chances in the period but were unable to beat Charlotte netminder Anton Forsberg, who finished with 32 saves.
Rochester goalie Andrew Hammond made 27 saves to keep his team in the game before the Checkers secured the win with an empty net goal.
*NOTES — Prior to tonight’s defeat, the Amerks produced a 12-game point streak, showing a 10-0-1-1 record dating back to Nov. 1. The club has picked up points in 17 of its last 20 games overall, going 13-3-2-2 over that span, while also earning 34 out of a possible 46 points through their first 23 contests of the season…The Amerks close out their season-long 4-game homestand Wednesday night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:05 pm…Friday’s regulation victory over the Checkers was the first over Charlotte for the Amerks at the BCA…Saturday’s contest was just the 10th all-time between the two teams.