By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester plays well but can’t convert on numerous scoring chances in the 3-2 loss to Toronto.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Americans saw their 10-game point streak come to an end Friday night before 4,731 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
The North Division leading Toronto Marlies scored late in the third period to pull out a 3-2 victory over the Amerks.
“I thought we played really well,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. “We had a lot of chances against a really good team. It was a really good game and a good fight but unfortunately they got a late goal in the third and it was the difference-maker.”
The Marlies broke on top first 5:06 into the first period against Rochester goalie Linue Ullmark.
The Amerks had two excellent scoring opportunities in the period when Steve Moses stole the puck inside the Toronto blue line, but goalie Calvin Pickard stopped his shot. Rookie C.J. Smith missed putting the puck home with an open right side of the cage in the final minute of the stanza.
Rochester scored twice in less than 3 minutes to take the lead in the second stanza. Defenseman Brendan Guhle blasted a shot from the blue line, off a pass from Seth Griffith, to tie the game.
Alex Nylander tallied his second goal of the season, on a rebound off a Griffith’s shot, to put the Amerks in front, 2-1.
Rochester racked up 19 shots in the period as Toronto managed just 9. However, the Marlies knotted the contest in the final minute of play.
“We were playing fast, getting pucks in deep and getting shots during the second period and were not turning the puck over and we did that for majority of the period,” said Guhle.
Ben Smith, who leads the Marlies in goals with 11, netted the game-winner with 6:31 to play.
Guhle led Rochester with 7 shots as fellow defenseman Zach Redmond fired 6 shots.
“It was a great game,” said Guhle. “I think we out-chanced and out-shot them, but in the end of they got the better of us scoring late in the game.”
Ullmark finished with 21 saves, including 2 breakaways, as Pickard ended the night with 32 saves.
“We’ve showed time and time again that we’re a team to be reckoned with this season,” Ullmark said. “We just hope we can keep the run going until post-season and through the post-season, too.”
Justin Bailey played his first game since Nov. 18, due to an injury.
“Justin did okay,” Taylor said. “It’s tough for him to come back but I thought he played okay…It’s coming. It’s his first game. Hopefully he’ll do a little bit better tomorrow.”
With the victory, Toronto (21-5-0-0) increased its lead over Rochester (15-6-3-3) to 6 points, 42-36, in the North Division.
The Amerks travel to Utica Saturday for a 7 pm faceoff against the Comets.
The FF will not return to the BCA until Wednesday, Dec. 20 versus the Belleville Senators.
*NOTES – Justin Bailey, a Williamsville native, was on a line with Sean Malone, who is a Buffalo native. Bailey last year played on a line with Cole Schneider, who also is from Williamsville…Former Amerk Jean Dupuy made his first appearance in the BCA with the Marlies after playing for Rochester the past two seasons…Amerks Seth Griffith and Start Percy were facing their former club (Toronto) for the first time this season as well…Amerks assistant coach Gord Dineen spent the last 8 seasons on the Marlies coaching staff, helping them to six 40-win seasons and 4 division titles.
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Linus Ullmark stops breakaway — https://youtu.be/3GG6EoKtMbs
Brendan Guhle power play shot — https://youtu.be/nXHWHHQ7egA
Andrew Macwilliam shot — https://youtu.be/QIbo-6o66oI
Ice bowling — https://youtu.be/-OZxXAhmMOY