The Devils end Rochester’s 3-game win streak with a 5-1 victory.
By CRAIG POTTER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — It was a rough outing pretty much all the way around for the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night as the visiting Binghamton Devils skated away with a 5-1 victory before 2,772 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
Starting goalie Jonas Johansson, who was recalled from Cincinnati of the ECHL last week, suffered his first AHL loss of the season after winning both games last week at the BCA.
Amerks coach Chris Taylor said the start “was warranted” based on how the second-year goaltender played last week, and because “(Scott) Wedgewood just got sent down and didn’t get a lot of practice time (during the five-day recall) in Buffalo.”
The Amerks double the Devils shots in the first period (16 to 8), but trailed, 2-0.
“We had a lot of good shots in the first period, but not a lot of good second chances nor traffic in front of the net,” said Taylor. “On Binghamton’s first goal, they capitalized on their chance and their second goal while we were on the power-play. It really hurt and we could not recover.”
Johansson gave up 4 goals on 10 shots before being pulled by coach Chris Taylor after allowing 2 goals in 32 seconds less than 2 minutes into the second period. Adam Wilcox came on in relief and stopped 20 of the 21 shots he faced.
The loss ended Rochester’s 3-game winning streak as the Amerks had won 5 of their last 6 games to remain in first place in the North Division.
Sean Malone tallied Rochester’s lone goal midway through the second period as he convert a pass from Alex Nylander.
“The start we had tonight was unacceptable,” said Malone. “With Wednesday games and games at home we have to have better starts. Binghamton is a good team, who plays us hard every game, so we have to know that going into the game.”
Matt Hunwick, 33, who is on a conditioning assignment from the Buffalo Sabres, picked up an assist on the play.
“Overall, I felt pretty good,” said Hunwick, who made his organizational debut after missing the first three months of the season due to a neck injury suffered in the off-season. He last played a game April 1 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“The first period to period and a half, I felt slow trying to get up to speed, but as the game went on I felt better and better. By the end of the game, I thought my skating was where I had hoped it would be.”
How long will it be before he’s NHL ready? “I think I’ll have a better idea after one more game.”
*NOTES — Amerks team captain Kevin Porter has a lower body injury and his status is considered “week to week”…The Buffalo Sabres announced on Wednesday that the team has assigned goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the Rochester Americans…The Sabres also assigned defenseman Matt Hunwick on Wednesday to the Amerks on a conditioning loan. He last played in the AHL with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2013-14…The Amerks play a home-and-home series against the Cleveland Monsters starting Friday night at 7:05 pm at the BCA before the series moves to Cleveland Saturday night…In 3 games thus far this season versus Binghamton, the Devils lead the series, 2-1…Amerks winger Dalton Smith was forced to miss Wednesday’s game because of the one-game suspension issued by the AHL on Monday. He was punished for a check early in the third period that sent Providence defenseman Jakub Zboril awkwardly into the boards. No penalty was assessed on the play.