By CRAIG POTTER
The Utica Comets pull out a 3-2 overtime victory over Rochester.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Once again penalties proved to be the downfall for the Rochester Americans as the Utica Comets scored 2 power play goals en route to a 3-2 overtime victory on Wednesday night before 4,174 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
“It was not the result we wanted,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor. “I think we took too many penalties at the start and they scored two goals as a result. Anytime you give a team a two-man advantage, it’s not going to be easy.
“I was pleased, however, with the way we played at some points of the game. It was tough not being able to roll four lines, but I think if we play a whole 60 minutes, it will be good going into the playoffs.”
The Amerks (80), however, hold a 1-point lead for third place in the North Division over the Comets (79). Both teams have qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs, it’s just determining position for the opening round matchups.
Rochester was whistled for 6 penalties in the game.
Talking about special teams, Seth Griffith said, “It will be huge in the playoffs. We will have to bear down while on the man-advantage in the playoffs and do a better job of staying out of the box. Those two things will be important moving forward.”
The Comets opened the scoring with a power play tally in the first period.
Amerks defenseman Zach Redmond tied the game with a power play goal early in the second stanza.
However late in the period the Comets got a 5-on-3 advantage and made the most of it to regain the lead, 2-1.
Rochester also scored its second power play marker in the third period by Griffith, who had 4 points (2+2) in the last 2 games, to even the count once again.
But Utica won for the 7th time in 10 meetings this season with the goal in overtime.
“It’s more of the same results we have been getting all year,” said Redmond, who had a career-high 10 shots, when referring to overtime games. “We just haven’t found the luck in overtime this season for some reason. We did a lot of things right tonight, but we just have to learn our lessons and move on from it.”
*NOTES –Rochester Americans General Manager Randy Sexton announced today that the team has released forward Myles Powell from his Amateur Tryout…The Rochester Americans announced today that tickets for the Amerks’ first-round of home games for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs will go on sale on Monday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. The complete opening round schedule will be released at a later date as soon as Rochester’s first-round opponent has been determined. Individual game tickets for Round One of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs start as low as just $14 and range in price up to $28 depending on seat location. All tickets purchased on the day of the game will increase by $2. Tickets are available for purchase either in person at the Blue Cross Arena Box Office, online at www.amerks.com or by calling 1-855-GO-AMERKS.
*More to come
Links
Rochester Americans – amerks.com
Videos
Seth Griffith pp goal – https://youtu.be/hPxtTGiZ8Yc
Zach Redmond pp goal – https://youtu.be/d4eSAkM1fw8