By CRAIG POTTER
The forward records a 4-point night in leading Rochester to a 4-3 win over the Charlotte Checkers.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Though physically he is one of the smaller players on the Rochester Americans at 5-foot-10, 190 lbs., forward Colin Blackwell has made his presence known this season.
The second-year pro, who signed a Professional Tryout on Oct. 5, 2017, then an AHL contract on Oct. 31, scored his 10th and 11th goals this season, and added 2 assists for his 4-point night Friday before 5,718 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
“I am feeling fresh and rejuvenated,” said Blackwell. “When I had to sit out with my injury, it actually may have been a blessing in disguise as I am gaining confidence every game. I have played with several players over the course of the season, but the biggest thing is we have played to each other’s strengths.”
Blackwell received a pass from defenseman Zach Redmond, after he won the faceoff to begin the 5-minute overtime session. Blackwell then broke in on Charlotte goalie Alex Nedeljkovic and took a perfect pass from Redmond in stride and beat the goalie for the game-winner just 12 seconds into the extra period.
It was the only time the Amerks held the lead in the game as they battled back three times to tie the score.
Rookie goalie Johan Johansson kept the Amerks in the game in the first period as he stopped two great scoring chances by the Checkers off a steal in the slot and another on a turnover in the right circle. He finished with 18 saves to earn his first win in his third game this season.
“I think we got outplayed in the first period,” said Redmond. “We regrouped in the intermission and just stuck with our game plan. I think we got better as the game when on and that is something we need to continue to do leading up to and in the playoffs. Getting the win overtime was also a big for us, too.”
Charlotte scored the lone goal in the opening stanza.
“The first period was not good,” Amerks head coach Chris Taylor said. “The score could have been a lot worse, but I think J.J. (Johansson) played outstanding. The second period was a little bit better, but I thought in the third we played a lot better.”
Alex Nylander took a pass from Blackwell down low and beat the Checkers netminder to knot the count early in the second period.
However, the visitors from North Carolina regained the advantage midway through the period.
The Amerks had a power play in the first minute of the third period and Blackwell tied the game 2-2.
The Checkers forged ahead for a third time with a power play goal of their own midway in the period.
Redmond blasted a shot from the right point, off a faceoff win by Blackwell, to even the count once again and send it into overtime.
*NOTES – The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has recalled goaltender Adam Wilcox from the Rochester Americans. In a related move, the Amerks have recalled goaltender Jason Kasdorf from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. Goalie Robin Lehner left Thursday’s game after the second period with an upper body injury, listed as day-to-day. Goalie Linus Ullmark already was listed on the Sabres’ injury report with a concussion, listed as day-to-day. Wilcox (25, 6-foot-0, 189 lbs.) joins the Sabres for his first recall of the season after signing as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Currently in his fourth professional season, Wilcox has posted an 11-7-7 record with a .903 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average in 28 games for the Amerks this season. A native of South St. Paul, Minnesota, Wilcox has played in 104 career AHL contests, posting a 45-34-22 record with a .901 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average. Kasdorf was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft…The loss was just the fourth all season for the Checkers in games that went beyond regulation. The Amerks, on the other hand, have lost 17 games that went beyond regulation.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Colin Blackwell OT goal – https://youtu.be/kWKuP9p6eIc
Colin Blackwell pp goal – https://youtu.be/Jt1SWJ_JOE4