By CRAIG POTTER
The Greece native gave Rochester a 2-1 lead, but Toronto rallied to post a 4-2 win.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Brian Gionta did not disappoint the 9,836 fans who packed the Blue Cross Arena on Hometown Heroes Night Friday as the Greece native scored to give his hometown Rochester Americans a 2-1 lead over the Toronto Marlies in a North Division battle.
Brian Gionta
“It was a great play on the wall by Alex (Nylander), and by ‘Ports’,” said Gionta. “Ports found me going into the zone, so the credit should go to those two. The support was great tonight as we had close to a full building, but unfortunately we came up just short. I appreciate everything that the organization has done for me and providing me with this opportunity. Some guys had to sit out because of the veteran rule, so I cannot thank them enough.”
The former captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and current captain of Team USA for 2018 Winter Olympics PyeongChang, South Korea drew a chant of “USA, USA, USA” following his goal at 12:26 of the second period.
Amerks veteran defenseman Mike Tennyson fed him the puck as he tipped it past Marlies goalie Garret Sparks. Gionta’s goal was just the 87th given up by the Marlies this season. The next fewest is 108 by the Manitoba Moose as both teams have played 45 games.
“They’re a good hockey team,” Amerks captain Kevin Porter said. “We’re right there with them but we’re just making mistakes that are costing us.”
Toronto (33-11-0-1) extended its lead to 7 points (67-60) over Rochester (25-11-5-5) in the North Division.
“I thought tonight was okay,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. “I did not like the end of the first period but I thought we took over in the second only to sit back in the third period. I really liked our effort in a great atmosphere but we just fell short of the two points tonight.”
“I knew it was going to be a special night,” Gionta said. “I just wish there had been a little better outcome.”
The Marlies opened the scoring in the second period on a delayed penalty.
Amerks rookie defenseman Arvin Atwal, who was just called up from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL Thursday, scored his first AHL goal to tie the game.
“He played very well tonight,” Taylor said of Atwal. “He handled the pressure really well and made a lot of good defensive plays. He did a great job offensively, too. He chipped in and he battled. He’s one of those guys with no fear, and I like his energy.”
Gionta’s tally gave the Amerks the lead. However, it lasted just 31 seconds before Andreas Johnsson, who leads Toronto with 21 goals, beat Linus Ullmark to even the count at 2-2.
The visitors from across the border won the game with a pair of goals in the final 5 minutes of the contest.
Olympics
Gionta, 39, will be making his second appearance in an Olympics as he was a member of Team USA in the 2006 games in Torino, Italy. The team finished in eighth place. He has been practicing with the Amerks since October.
“When you’re playing with good players it makes it easier, but I felt pretty good,” he said. “I felt great all along, if I didn’t get a game I still would have felt good.
“But it’s good to get that out of the way and be a part of the game again.”
Gionta will be looking for a Gold medal to add to his collection of hardware, including a NCAA title and a Stanley Cup championship while with the New Jersey Devils.
His concentration now is on winning that elusive Gold medal. Once the Olympics are over, Gionta has left his options open, including a return to the Amerks if no suitable NHL offers come along.
“I’ve left all my options open and these guys have been great,” said Gionta. “I’m going over there to concentrate on the Olymmpics and we’ll see from there what opens up. There will be some decisions made, for sure.”
Taylor gave Gionta a lot of credit for the team’s success this season.
“This whole organization acknowledges what he’s done for us, what he’s done for the young guys for the coaching staff, the trainers, everything,” said Taylor. “We’re fortunate to have him.
“We want to thank him for what he’s done for us. I don’t know if we would be in this position if it weren’t for him. We’ve had a good year so far and a large part of it has got to do with him. He’s one of those guys who brings a great atmosphere to the rink, brings knowledge, and brings how to be a pro.”
*NOTES – The Amerks travel to Binghamton to face the Devils Saturday night…Brian Gionta heads to South Korea next week as Team USA’s first game is Feb. 14 against Slovenia. Russia and Slovakia also are in Group B with Team USA…Arvin Atwal’s first goal came in his fifth game with the Amerks this season. He had 1 assist in his previous 4 games with the team.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Brian Gionta celebrates goal – https://youtu.be/f21y9zxMhCY
Brian Gionta opening faceoff – https://youtu.be/a1mZN56Njlo
Fans chant USA, USA– https://youtu.be/1-HxFSNuKaU
National Anthem — https://youtu.be/m66y_QR5hoc