Sunday, April 28, 2013

4/27 Recap: Girgensons' pair not enough as Amerks drop opener

In Saturday play, Zemgus Girgensons scored twice and Cody McCormick added a short-handed goal but the Rochester Americans opened the 2013 AHL playoffs with a 6-3 loss at Toronto. The Amerks dictated the pace of play, firing twice as many shots on goal as the Marlies (34 to 17) only to allow their opponent to break a 3-3 tie after forty minutes with three third-period goals. David Leggio finished the game with 12 saves and the loss, while Johan Larsson added two assists for the losing side. Dan Catenacci, Mikhail Grigorenko, and Corey Tropp did not play for the Amerks on Saturday, but at least one (Grigorenko) is expected to be inserted into the lineup on Sunday when the Amerks look to even the series before heading home for game three.



In the OHL, Brady Austin finished with a plus-two rating as Belleville forced a home-ice game seven in the Eastern Conference final with a 3-1 win at Barrie. Austin, who was the game's third star in the Bulls' Friday victory by the same score, was paired with 2013 draft eligible Jordan Subban. Alex Lepkowski, who was paired with offensive-minded Ryan O'Connor on the Colts blue line, finished the game with a minus-two rating. The Bulls and Colts will play the deciding game seven Monday in Bellevile for the right to face London for the league title.