By CRAIG POTTER
Stephen Gionta assists on Bridgeport’s first goal as the Sound Tigers win in OT.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Daniel O’Regan played his first game for the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after making a cross country trip following Monday’s trade from the San jose Sharks to the Buffalo Sabres for Evander Kane.
O’Regan was the AHL Rookie of the Year last season where he produced 23 goals, 35 assists, and 58 points in 63 games for the San Jose Barracuda. He had 7-18-25 in 31 AHL games this season, and 4 assists in 19 NHL games with the Sharks.
“I was completely caught off guard,” O’Regan said of the trade. “I loved it in San Jose but I’m glad to be here.”
The Sound Tigers scored first when Greece native Stephen Gionta fired a shot on Linus Ullmark, who made the save. However, the rebound went to Michael Dal Colie and he put the puck in the back of the net.
Gionta has been with Bridgeport all season, but on the Tigers first visit, he did not play due to injury. This was his 24th game, and his fourth point with 1 goal and 3 assists.
The Amerks tied the game in the final minute of the opening period. Alex Nylander worked his way between two defenders and got a shot off on netminder Kristers Gudelvskis, who made the save. Sean Malone got a hold of the rebound and scored to even the count at 1-1.
The game remained that way as both goalies made some great saves as the game went into overtime.
The puck came into the Amerks end where defenseman Taylor Fedun and Bridgeport’s Josh Ho-Sang gave chase, as did O’Regan. The newcomer had containment on Ho-Sang along the boards but he managed to make a perfect pass into the slot to Travis St. Denis, who scored the game-winner.
“That’s probably on me,” O’Regan said. “I didn’t think that guy would get that pass through.”
Amerks coach Chris Taylor was impressed by O’Regan’s play as he travelled across country, getting in town Tuesday night. He went through the morning skate with the team, but has yet to get a practice in.
“He skates well, I like how he anticipates where the play will go,” Taylor said of O’Regan. “He was really good.”
Ullmark finished with 25 saves as the Amerks took one point in 16 of their last 22 games.
“We know we’re a good enough team to have two points every night; one point is not good enough,” said Ullmark.
*NOTES –The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has recalled forward Seth Griffith from the Rochester Americans. After beginning the season with three points (2+1) in 18 games with the Sabres, Griffith (25, 5-foot-9, 190 lbs.) now ranks second among Amerks players with 34 points (13+21) in 36 games. In his last 25 AHL games, the Wallaceburg, Ontario native has 25 points (10+15), including a goal in each of his last two contests. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round (131st overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Griffith has compiled 19 points (8+11) and 24 penalty minutes in 76 career NHL games…The win was the Sound Tigers first of the season in the head-to-head matchup after the Amerks claimed the first two games earlier this year.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Overtime winner – https://youtu.be/Jk_8T_g93_o
Stephen Gionta – https://youtu.be/koLSIl9zABw