Friday, October 10, 2014

10/10 Recap: Amerks torch Flames; Fasching produces

The Buffalo Sabres organization is ready for its young skill players to emerge. Some talented prospects did just that Friday night as the Rochester Americans opened the 2014-15 season with a 6-1 thrashing of  Adirondack.

Chad Ruhwedel earned the game's first star with a goal and two assists, but it was young guns Mikhail Grigorenko (GWG) and Joel Armia (1+1) who showed the hands and confidence of future scoring line commodities en route to getting their years off on the right foot.

Phil Varone contributed a goal and an assist for the Amerks. Tim Schaller and Matt Ellis provided single markers. William Carrier recorded two assists in his first professional game while Johan Larsson added a pair of helpers of his own. Nathan Lieuwen backstopped the victory with 27 saves.

Schaller got things started at 3:55 of the middle frame when he took a Ruhwedel pass and outworked a defender on his tail before getting off a shot for the goal.



After the Flames evened the score, Grigorenko scored his first-ever AHL goal at 16:19 of the second period when he took puck off the boards, kicked it to his forehand and buried a laser for what proved to be the game winning goal.



Ruhwedel would add another Amerks marker before the second intermission to extend the lead to 3-1.

Rochester kept their foot on the gas with a three-goal third period beginning with veteran forward Ellis' finish just 3:10 in.

Joel Armia added to his earlier assist on the Grigorenko tally by showing excellent hands and patience to convert a penalty shot at 10:53. The one-goal, one-assist effort gives Armia eight points (4+4) in his last six AHL contests going back to last year's playoff series versus Chicago.



Varone capped the victory with a power play tally at 18:02.

And, because it's a hockey game, the season opener featured a barrage of fights in the final minutes. Noted Adirondack pugilist Trevor Gillies did what he usually does to earn a paycheck. Minutes later, Nick Petrecki responded in defense of the Amerks...



The Amerks get right back to work Saturday versus Hamilton.


***

In NCAA action, Hudson Fasching scored the game winning goal and added an assist as No. 1 Minnesota downed Minnesota-Duluth 4-3 in the first game of the 2014 Ice Breaker Tournament. Christian Isackson logged an even rating for the Gophers, who square off with RPI in Sunday's title tilt.

In the Ice Breaker night cap, Connor Hurley was scratched and Cal Petersen served as the backup as No. 13 Notre Dame was defeated by RPI 3-2. Hurley previously missed Sunday's exhibition tilt with a minor injury. The Irish square off with Minnesota-Duluth in Sunday's third place game.

Anthony Florentino (+3) picked up an assist and a plus-three rating as No. 4 Providence opened the schedule with a 5-4 overtime loss at Ohio State. Mark Adams, who played in just seven games all of last season, finished with an even rating while skating on the Friars' second defensive pair. The Friars and Buckeyes close out the weekend non-conference set on Saturday.

Judd Peterson registered three shots on goal as No. 6 St. Cloud State opened the regular season schedule with a 3-1 loss to No. 5 Colgate. The two clubs play it back on Saturday.

Brad Navin punched four shots on goal as No. 12 Wisconsin was blanked by Alaska 1-0 at the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage. The Badgers face Alaska-Anchorage on Saturday.

In the OHL, Justin Bailey extended his point streak to four games by notching an assist as Kitchener was blown out by Erie 8-3. Connor McDavid ('15) stacked up two goals and two assists for the winning side, while fellow draft eligible forward Dylan Strome chipped in with three helpers. The clubs complete the home-and-home series Saturday in Erie.

Brendan Lemieux was kept off the score sheet in Barrie’s 4-3 triumph over London. Lemieux, who entered the night coming off a career-high four points in his previous outing, was stopped on a first period penalty shot. The Colts next welcome Sudbury to town on Saturday.

In WHL action, Brycen Martin earned assist as Swift Current downed Kootenay 5-0. The Broncos host Tri-City on Saturday.

In the USHL, Christopher Brown (+1) produced one shot on goal as Green Bay was bested at Bloomington 6-2. The Gamblers continue their weekend cruise versus expansion opponents Saturday when they take on Madison.