By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester successfully kills off a 2-man disadvantage, then yields the tying goal following a power play.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Americans defense turned in an outstanding 2-minute performance in the third period, killing off a 2-man advantage by the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday night before 4,275 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
However, just 12 seconds after Hartford killed off an Amerk power play, the Wolf Pack scored the tying goal that sent the game into overtime.
“That’s the heartbreaker of the whole game,” said Amerks coach Chris Taylor. “Those guys kill a 5-on-3, then all of a sudden we have a power play. At the end of the power play we throw the puck out blind, knowing that’s the end of the power play.
“Trying a no-look pass, all of a sudden it’s in the back of the net. That’s disheartening.”
Hartford ended up prevailing, 5-4, with a shootout victory after rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the second period.
Rochester broke on top in the first period when Seth Griffith scored his first goal as Stuart Percy and C.J. Smith picked up assists.
The Wolf Pack knotted the count early in the second stanza on a delayed penalty.
The Amerks scored twice within 52 seconds on goals by Steve Moses and Garret Ross.
“After the strong start, we sort of let off the gas pedal,” said Ross, who scored in back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 8 and 11, 2015 as a member of the Rockford IceHogs. “When we are dominating a team and keeping them on their heels, we need to find a way to close them out.
However, the visitors from Connecticut tallied a pair of goals about 3 minutes apart to even the score once again.
Evan Rodrigues continued his hot play with a power play marker to put Rochester back in front, 4-3.
Rodrigues and Casey Nelson each were whistled for tripping penalties 10:59 into the third period. The Amerks did not allow a shot on goalie Adam Wilcox during that time, and Smith ended up taking a short-handed shot on hartford keeper Alexandar Georgiev, who made the save.
Rochester then got a power play with 6:35 left in regulation, but was unable to score.
“Tonight was one of those games where we had a lot of chances but unfortunately we just could not capitalize on,” said Taylor. “When you have a game like that and are not able to score on those chances, sometimes it comes back to bite you. Tonight was one of those games.”
Defenseman Matt Tennyson cleared waivers and played in his first game for Rochester.
“It’s been a while since I played,” Tennyson said as he is coming off an injury. “I played my game. Overall I felt pretty good.”
Rochester (11-5-3-2) begin a 4-game, 8-day road trip Saturday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Amerks will not return to the BCA until Wednesday, Dec. 13 versus the Utica Comets.
*NOTES – Justin Bailey did not play as he is day-to-day with an injury…Former Amerk and Williamsville native Cole Schneider ended his ended his 4-game scoreless streak with an assist on the tying goal that sent the game into overtime…Another former Amerk, Dan Catenacci, recorded 3 shots for the Wolf Pack…The victory snapped a 4-game losing skid for Hartford as well…For the fourth time in their last five games, the Amerks needed to go extra time to decide the outcome.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Seth Griffith celebrates goal — https://youtu.be/gLAw11l9NjY
C.J. Smith hits the pipe – https://youtu.be/aKWe6CyGWQM
Evan Rodrigues power play goal — https://youtu.be/Eu5fDticiJA