In Thursday AHL action, Nick Crawford, Phil Varone, and Travis Turnbull each had a goal, and David Leggio made 33 saves for his first shutout of the year as Rochester downed Abbotsford, 3-0.
Crawford wasted little time getting the Amerks on the board with his third of the season just 1:35 into the opening frame.
The teams would play a scoreless second before Phil Varone accepted a Marcus Foligno pass while shorthanded to notch his sixth of the year at 2:56 of the third. Abbotsford brought the heat with 14 shots in the final stanza, with Leggio standing tall en route to earning the game's #1 star.
The Rundown:
Crawford: GWG, +2, 2 SOG
Foligno: 2A, +2, 4 SOG
McNabb: A, +2
Schiestel: even
Biega: 2 SOG
Szydlowski: +1
Lagace: even
Parker: even
Persson: even
Varone: G, +2
The Amerks will look for the rink to be rocking when the two clubs play it back on Friday.
Alex Lepkowski scored the first game winning goal of his OHL career Saturday to lead Barrie to a 2-1 win over Ottawa. The 6'4 defender, who didn't score his first goal until his 100th game, now has six in his last 26. Gregg Sutch did not score but earned the game's #3 star for his all-around work.
Dan Catenacci recorded an assist before being ejected in the second period for a slew foot match penalty as Owen Sound lost to Guelph, 3-2. The infraction carries a one-game suspension, forcing Catenacci out of Sunday's game against Ottawa. The match penalty is the second of Catenacci's career after getting called for a slew foot on Erie's Brett Thompson a year ago.
Brad Eidsness made 20 saves in his fifth start of the year (and first of the year on a Saturday) to help North Dakota to a 4-2 win over Wisconsin. The victory was Eidsness' fourth of the year and 54th of his WCHA career. Brad Navin contributed one shot on goal in bottom line minutes for the Badgers.
Joel Armia saw his eight-game point streak come to an end as Assat dropped a 6-3 decision to the Pelicans. The 6'3 wing picked up four shots on goal and a roughing minor over 13:53 of work.
Kevin Sundher did not factor into the scoring as Brandon got past Red Deer, 3-2. The six-foot center has gone without a point 15 times this season, with six of those coming during his first 11 games in a Brandon uniform.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 41 of 46 shots but Kootenay fell in overtime to Spokane, 5-4. The ICE netminder was especially busy in middle period when he faced 18 shots. After starting January with four wins in six outings, Lieuwen is winless in his last four starts.
Mark Pysyk finished -2 as Edmonton was defeated by Vancouver, 3-2.
Colin Jacobs finished -1 with a diving minor as Seattle got pounded by Portland, 8-3.
Drew MacKenzie notched an assist as Vermont was doubled by Northeastern, 4-2. The two-way defender has six goals and 17 points in 23 games.
Justin Jokinen registered one shot on goal as Minnesota State handled Bemidji State, 5-2.
Christian Isackson (3 SOG) was inserted into the lineup as a fourth-line center as Minnesota edged St. Cloud State, 3-2.
Connor Knapp was given the night off as Miami pitched a 6-0 shutout of Northern Michigan.
***
In the AHL, Zack Kassian (11th) and Derek Whitmore (17th) scored first period goals, and David Leggio provided the rest with 37 saves as Rochester held on to defeat Toronto, 2-1. The Amerks head into the All-Star break withb a 19-17-5-3 mark.
The Rundown:
Kassian: G, 2 SOG
Foligno: A, 3 SOG
Persson: A, 1 SOG
Parker: 2 SOG
Crawford: 2 SOG
Biega: 1 SOG
Schiestel: 1 SOG
Lagace: even
Fienhage: even
Szydlowski: even
On Wednesday, Kevin Sundher scored for the second straight game as Brandon was blown out by Calgary, 7-2. The six-foot center, who has two goals and four assists in nine games as a Wheat King, now has 70 points (24+46) with 22 games remaining in the WHL regular season. He's been averaging 1.43 points-per-game in 2011-12, and he'll need to maintain that pace (actually 1.36 will do it) to eclipse the 100-point barrier.
Mark Pysyk finished -1 in a 5-4 overtime loss to Tri-City. Trading punches the entire way, the two clubs kept the goaltenders busy with a combined 90 shots on goal. The Oil Kings will welcome Sundher and the Wheat Kings to Rexall on Friday.
Nathan Lieuwen was given the night off as Kootenay lost to Lethbridge, 5-4. Lieuwen should be back between the pipes on Friday when the ICE host Prince Albert.
***
In AHL play, the Rochester Americans couldn't overcome a three-goal deficit after the opening frame en route to a 4-1 loss to Grand Rapids. The Amerks had defeated the Griffins in the previous three meetings between the clubs this season.
In Saturday AHL action, Marcus Foligno recorded his first two-goal game as a pro to help the Rochester Americans to a 3-1 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Williamsville native David Leggio was excellent for a second straight night, finishing with 35 saves to earn the game's #1 star. The Amerks had previously lost six of seven games to their North Division rival.
Foligno, who scored the game winner just 17-seconds into the middle frame and added an empty-netter in the final minute, now has 12 goals through his first 36 games. Given his projection as a checker, that number rates well compared to some other recent AHL graduates through their first 36 games: Nathan Gerbe (21), Luke Adam (17), Tyler Ennis (11).
Leggio impressed with several big stops in the third as the Amerks were forced to kill a Jonathan Parker boarding penalty with three minutes to play.
Corey Tropp did not dress for a second straight night, while Drew Schiestel was made a healthy scratch (EDIT - there seems to be conjecture over the Schiestel scratch; will wait for statements regarding lingering knee soreness).
The Rundown:
Foligno: 2G, +1, 3 SOG
Parker: A, +2
Lagace: A
Crawford: A, +1
Szydlowski: A, +1
Biega: +1
Brennan: 2 SOG
Fienhage: 2 PIM
Persson: even
Boychuk: 1 SOG
Kassian: -1, 3 SOG
The Amerks (17-13-5-3, 42 points, 2nd in North Division) will now prepare for a Thursday/Friday series with Olkahoma City.
Connor Knapp made 25 saves Friday to earn his fourth consecutive win as Miami defeated #19 Lake Superior State, 2-1. The reigning CCHA Goaltender of the Week has started all three of Miami's games since the Christmas break, stopping 78 of 80 shots to guide the unranked RedHawks to a much needed winning streak. It's expected that Miami bench boss Enrico Blasi will continue to ride the 6'6 senior when the RedHawks look for the road sweep of the Lakers on Saturday.
Drew MacKenzie extended his career-high point streak to seven games with a pair of assists as Vermont upset #11 Lowell 3-2 in overtime. With his first multi-point game of the season (he had four last year), the 6'2 defenseman now has six goals and 14 points in 19 games. The Catamounts host Providence on Sunday.
Dan Catenacci set up the game winning goal as Owen Sound defeated Erie, 3-1. The 5'10 center has five assists in four January games, and a total of 48 points through 42 regular season tilts.The Attack and Otters will do it again on Saturday.
Kevin Sundher finished -3 as Brandon dropped a 5-4 decision to Red Deer. The 6'0 center has yet to record a point in two games (both losses) since being traded from Victoria prior to the WHL deadline. The WHL's #2 assist man, Sundher has also yet to earn first line time for the 8th place Wheat Kings. Sundher will get a chance to play against his former mates on Saturday when Brandon hosts Victoria.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc picked up a power play assist as Rimouski needed the shootout to down Rouyn-Noranda, 4-3. Leduc, who was stopped in his shootout attempt, has two goals and two assists in his last eight games. He continues to lead all QMJHL defensemen with 21 goals and 54 points.
Colin Jacobs assisted on his team's only goal as Seattle was hammered by Kamloops, 7-1. Playing his 13th game of the year on Friday the 13th, Jacobs has five points since returning from offseason shoulder surgery. The T-Birds resume play on Saturday against Portland.
Cedrick Henley posted one shot on goal as Val-d'Or was throttled by Victoriaville, 6-1. After collecting six points (3+3) in two games, the 6'5 wing has failed to get on the scoresheet in his last two outings.
Steven Shipley finished +1 as Niagara dropped Sudbury, 5-2. The IceDogs do battle with Barrie on Saturday.
Brad Navin recorded a shot on goal in third-line minutes as Wisconsin blanked Minnesota State, 4-0. Justin Jokinen was -1 for the Mavericks. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.
Brad Eidsness served as backup for the seventh straight game as North Dakota got past rival Minnesota, 2-1. Christian Isackson was a healthy scratch for the Gophers.
***
In Friday AHL action, Rochester continued to struggle against North Division foes with a 2-1 overtime loss to Toronto. The Sabres farmhands are now winless in four tries against the Marlies.
The Amerks were outshot 41-26 in the contest, with David Leggio's 39 saves earning him the game's #2 star. Travis Turnbull scored the lone Rochester goal on the period power play. Alex Biega and Mark Voakes picked up assists.
The Amerks will try to right their divisional struggles on Saturday when they host a Hamilton Bulldogs club that has beaten them in six of seven games this season.
Zack Kassian scored a pair of goals Sunday and added an assist - all in the third period - as Rochester lost a 4-3 shootout battle to longtime foe Hershey. Kassian, who added the lone Amerks goal in the shootout, now has four points in two games since returning to the AHL. It was the first three-point night of his professional career.
Trailing 2-0 after two periods, the Amerks came on strong in the final frame to make it a game. Kassian got the ball rolling with his eighth of the year on the power play just 15-seconds in. Minutes later, T.J. Brennan potted his seventh goal of the year to knot the game 2-2. The Bears would get the lead back before Kassian's second of the night with 1:01 left in regulation forced the OT.
The Rundown:
Kassian: 2G, SHOG, A, 5 SOG
Brennan: G, +1, 4 SOG
Foligno: A, +1, 3 SOG
Biega: A, 3 SOG
Tropp: -1
Schiestel: -1
Szydlowski: 1 SOG
Lagace: even
The Amerks are off until Friday when they host divisional rival Toronto.
***
Elsewhere, Nathan Lieuwen made 31 saves to guide Kootenay to a 3-1 win over Medicine Hat. The ICE travel to Red Deer on Wednesday.
Alex Lepkowski logged a -1 as Barrie downed Kingston, 5-3. Gregg Sutch missed his fifth straight game with a head injury. Barrie is off until Thursday when they take on Niagara.
Cedrick Henley recorded three shots on goal as Val-d'Or surprised Quebec, 2-1. The Foreurs will next play on Friday at Victoriaville.
Mark Pysyk finished even as Edmonton lost to Red Deer, 4-3. The Oil Kings travel to Medicine Hat on Thursday.
In Saturday action, Kevin Sundher extended his point streak to 12 games with an assist, but Victoria suffered their ninth straight defeat with a 4-3 shootout loss to Kelowna. Both streaks are newsworthy, but it's how Sundher ended the game that had people talking afterwards.
Amidst a high level of frustration, Sundher missed the shootout after getting tossed for attempting to headbutt a taunting Shane McColgan at the end of OT. The two previously came together for offsetting roughing minors as buzzer sounded to end regulation. With his name swirling as perhaps the hottest WHL trade commodity (unless Team Canada scorer Mark Stone is somehow put on the block) and the Royals not taking the ice again until Friday, the game would certainly be a most interesting way for Sundher, the franchise's all-time leading point-getter, to close out his time in Victoria.
Elsewhere, Steven Shipley scored his 11th goal of the year as Niagara doubled Sarnia, 4-2. The 6'3 Shipley has six goals and 14 points in his last 10 games. The Dogs are off until Thursday when they host Barrie.
Mark Pysyk returned from the World Junior Championship and scored his third goal of the year as Edmonton downed Swift Current, 5-3. The 6'2 defender came down the left side late in the second period and stuffed the puck past the Broncos goaltender for his 19th point of the year. The Oil Kings will be in action Sunday when they host Red Deer.
In NCAA play, Drew MacKenzie scored his sixth goal of the year as Vermont dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Massachusetts at Frozen Fenway. The power play marker extends MacKenzie's career-best point streak to six games. The Catamounts return home next weekend to face Lowell on Friday and Providence on Sunday.
Justin Jokinen avenged a costly penalty the night before by scoring the game winning goal as Minnesota State earned a 3-1 win over Saint Lawrence and a split of their non-league set. The goal, Jokinen's third of the year, was his first game winner since 10/10/08 against Bemidji State.
Connor Knapp made 20 saves for the ninth shutout of his career as Miami swept Michigan State with a 4-0 win. The senior netminder, whose record improved to 5-4, appeared in back-to-back contests for the first time since last January (1/22, 1/28). The RedHawks travel to Lake Superior State next weekend.
Dan Catenacci collected three assists as Owen Sound got past Brampton with a 4-3 overtime win. The speedy center earned helpers on consecutive shifts in the early second as the Attack snatched a 2-1 lead before earning a secondary on the OT winner. The Attack are off until Friday's tilt with Erie.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 19 of 22 shots as Kootenay was beaten by Moose Jaw, 3-1. The 6'5 keeper has won just three of his last 10 starts (since December 1st) to dip to 17-10-1-2 on the year. The ICE will end the weekend with a Sunday meeting with Medicine Hat.
Colin Jacobs was -1 as Seattle lost to Spokane, 4-2. After missing 26 games while recovering from shoulder surgery, the 6'1 center has gathered fur points (3+1) in his first dozen games of the 2011-12 season. The T-Birds are off until Friday when they visit Kamloops.
Alex Lepkowski finished -1 as Barrie lost to London, 3-2. Colts forward Gregg Sutch missed his fourth straight game with a head injury despite rumors that he had passed his concussion test earlier in the week. The Colts return to action Sunday at Kingston.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc logged a +1 as Rimouski won a 3-2 shootout decision over Baie-Comeau. The QMJHL's leading defensive point-getter, Leduc has gone two games without getting on the scoresheet for the fourth time this season. The Nics are off until Friday when they'll tangle with Rouyn-Noranda.
Brad Navin was even as Wisconsin edged RIT, 2-1. The 6'2 freshman has two goals and two assists through his first 19 collegiate games. The Badgers travel to Mankato next weekend for a WCHA set with Minnesota State.
Christian Isackson did not play as Minnesota lost to Notre Dame, 4-3. The Gophers will play a key WCHA set with North Dakota.
Brad Eidsness served as back-up as North Dakota defeated Clarkson 3-1 at MTS Center in Winnipeg. The senior has started just three of North Dakota's 21 games this season.
***
In the AHL, Phil Varone scored a pair of goals including the game-winner as Rochester defeated Binghamton, 3-2. Varone extends his career-best point streak to six games. He has a ways to go before eclipsing the 16-gamer he posted a year ago while with Erie of the OHL.
Zack Kassian notched an assist in his first AHL game since November 19th, while Shawn Szydlowski added a career-high four shots on goal.
The Amerks close the weekend with a battle against longtime rival Hershey on Sunday.
Cedrick Henley scored a shorthanded goal and added two assists Friday as Val-d'Or rode a strong third period to a 6-4 win over Drummondville. The game's #2 star, Henley knotted the score then set up the game winner in a span of three minutes midway through the third period en route to racking up his second consecutive three-point effort. The 6'5 captain led all players with four hits. Les Foreurs resume play on Sunday against Quebec.
Steve Shipley scored his 10th goal of the year as Niagara earned a 4-3 shootout decision over Owen Sound. With the game tied 1-1 in the third, Shipley followed-up on a breakaway to bury a rebound. Daniel Catenacci saw his three-game point streak snapped but did record his first fighting major of the year in the early third when he engaged Dogs forward Andrew Agozzino in front of the Attack net. Both clubs will go again on Saturday, with the Dogs hosting Sarnia and Owen Sound welcoming Brampton.
Colin Jacobs scored a penalty shot goal, his third of the year, as Seattle was handled by Tri-City, 7-3. Jacobs' five-hole tally allowed the T-Birds to pull within 5-2 at the end of the second period. The #1 team in this week's CHL rankings, the Ams have now won 12 straight games. Seattle battles Spokane on Saturday.
Kevin Sundher notched two assists as Victoria came up short in a 5-2 loss to Kelowna. The pair of helpers extend the speedy center's point streak to 11 games. Sundher remains the subject of heavy trade rumors at the WHL deadline. The Royals and Rockets will close the weekend series Saturday in Victoria.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (4 SOG) saw a three-game point streak come to an end as Rimouski was upended by Baie-Comeau, 3-2. The two clubs will play again on Saturday.
In college play, Connor Knapp was excellent in making 33 saves as Miami edged Michigan State in overtime, 2-1. The 6'6 senior has now won three of his last four starts (going back to the end of November). It's unclear if Knapp, who hasn't played in back-to-back games since last January, will get the nod again in Saturday's rematch.
Brad Navin contributed one shot on goal as Wisconsin doubled RIT, 6-3. Rochester native Mark Zengerle picked up two assists for the Badgers to extend his point streak to an impressive 18 games. Wisconsin will try for the non-conference sweep on Saturday.
Justin Jokinen (-1) recorded three shots on goal as Minnesota State was nipped by St. Lawrence, 4-3. With his team leading 3-2 with six minutes left in the third, the senior forward took a high sticking penalty that resulted in the Saints tying the game on the power play. SLU would add another just 1:16 later to get the win. The teams will play again on Saturday.
***
In AHL play, Rochester got regulation goals from Derek Whitmore, Phil Varone, and Maxime Legault, but was outpunched in an eight-round shootout to finish with a 4-3 loss to Wilke-Barre/Scranton. Jonathan Parker and Paul Szczechura lit the lamp in the shootout before Eric Tangradi clinched it for the Baby Pens.
Varone, a 20-year old signed to an AHL contract during training camp, scarfed up a Marcus Foligno rebound to extend his point streak to five straight games.
The Rundown:
Foligno: A, +1
Szydlowski: A, +1
Tropp: A
Finley: +2
Schiestel: +1
Persson: +1
Lagace: 1 SOG
Biega: -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: -1
Parker: -1
***
In the lone Thursday game, Mark Adams was -3 as Providence played to a 4-4 tie with Massachusetts. The Friars will next host UNH on Wednesday.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his 20th goal of the year Wednesday as Rimouski lost to Chicoutimi, 6-4. Leduc's 20 goals tie his previous career best set in 2009-10, while his 51 points in 35 games continues to lead all QMJHL rearguards. Rimouski will welcome Quebec to town on Friday.
Gregg Sutch cashed a power play one-timer just 1:28 in but Barrie could not hold on in a 4-2 loss to Sudbury. Sutch now has seven goals and 15 points in 34 games. Barrie defenseman Alex Lepkowski finished the night at -2. The Colts, playing without forwards Mark Scheifele and Tanner Pearson who are away with Team Canada, will host Brampton on Thursday.
Cedrick Henley tested out his recently healed thumb by logging his third fighting major of the year in Val-d'Or's 5-3 loss to Gatineau. Henley, who also earned an instigator and misconduct on the play, will look for his first point since November 18th on Friday when the Foreurs host Rouyn-Noranda.
Steven Shipley picked up a power play assist in his old barn as Niagara edged Owen Sound, 2-1. The helper gives the 6'3 forward a new career high with points in six straight games. Shipley scored 39 goals and 102 points with the Attack from 2008-2010. Dan Catenacci assisted on the lone Attack tally to give him 41 points on the year. The IceDogs move on to face Mississauga on Friday. The Attack will travel to Kitchener.
Kevin Sundher notched two assists to extend his season-high point streak to eight games as Victoria was doubled by Portland, 6-3. Sundher, who has 19 multi-point efforts this season, has amassed 21 goals and 57 points in 36 games. The Royals will look to avenge the loss when the clubs play it back on Friday.
Colin Jacobs was -1 with a shootout miss as Seattle lost to Everett, 4-3. Jacobs now has two goals, an assist, and a -4 rating in seven games since returning from shoulder surgery. Seattle will host Moose Jaw on Friday.
***
At the World Junior Championship, Mark Pysyk was +1 as Canada pitched a 5-0 shutout over the Czech Republic. The steady defender saw time with Nathan Beaulieu and Jamie Oleksiak on the Nats bottom pair. Canada will to keep their winning streak in tact on Friday against Denmark.
***
In AHL play, the Amerks rode a two-goal night from Jacob Lagace to their second straight win over the Barons, 4-3 in a shootout. Lagace added a mark in the shootout, while Jonathan Parker and T.J. Brennan (winner) also scored in the deciding frame to ice the victory.
Brennan also scored in regulation to give him six goals on the year and a six-game point streak heading into Friday's tilt with Hamilton.
Marcus Foligno and Phil Varone each contributed a pair of assists for the Amerks (15-12-4-1).
The Rundown:
Lagace: 2G, SHO G, 5 SOG, +3
Brennan: G, SHO GWG, 5 SOG
Foligno: 2A, +3
Parker: SHO G
Schiestel: A, +2
Biega: A, -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: even
Boychuk: 4 PIM
Szydlowski: -1
Persson: +2
Drew Schiestel scored on the power play at 3:21 of overtime Tuesday as the Amerks earned a 4-3 win over the AHL's top club, the Oklahoma City Barons. The blast from the point, Schiestel's second goal of the year, added to an earlier assist for his first multi-point game of the season.
Paul Szczechura paced the Amerks with two goals and an assist in his first game back from Buffalo, while Alex Biega scored his third of the season. Biega, who has collected all three of his marks in the last eight games, equals his out from a season ago when he scored 18 points as an AHL rookie with the Portland Pirates.
The Rundown:
Schiestel: GWG, A
Biega: G, +1, 2 SOG
Fienhage: A, +1
Boychuk: +1
Lagace: +1
Parker: 2 SOG
Persson: -1, 2 SOG
Foligno: -1
Crawford: -1
Szydlowski: -1
The Amerks (14-12-4-1) and Barons will play it back on Wednesday.
ECHL call-up Evan Rankin continued to state his AHL case Saturday, scoring both of the Amerks goals in a 3-2 overtime loss to Adirondack. The 25-year old Rankin has four goals and two assists in seven games since being recalled from Toldeo, where he piled 10 goals in 15 contests for the Walleyes. The 6'1 196-pound wing had just 20 goals in a four-year collegiate career at Notre Dame.
Phil Varone assisted on both Rankin tallies, while Marcus Foligno added a single helper for his 12th point of the year.
Marcus Foligno scored his ninth goal of the year at 5:13 of the opening period, while Drew MacIntyre was rock solid in stopping all 40 shots he faced as Rochester earned a 3-0 Friday night win over Albany. The shutout was MacIntyre's first of the season and 15th of his nine-year career.
The 20-year old Foligno provided all the offense the Amerks would need when he gathered an Alex Biega pass in the corner and made a strong move to the net that eventually resulted in the puck popping into the air and over the line. The goal was Foligno's second in as many games.
Biega scored his first goal of the year on the power play in the final minute of the first period, while Derek Whitmore's 12th of the season in the second rounded out the Amerks attack. The 26-year old Whitmore, a Rochester native and product of Bowling Green, has eight of his 12 goals this season in his past six games.
Jacob Lagace and Drew Schiestel picked up assists for the Amerks. Schiestel now has a goal and an assist in his last two games.
Defenseman Dennis Persson returned to the lineup after missing 22 games with high ankle sprain.
The Rundown:
Foligno: 1G, +1, 2 SOG
Biega: G, A, +1, 2 SOG
Lagace: A, 2 SOG
Schiestel: A, 2 SOG
Crawford: +1, 3 SOG
Parker: 1 SOG
Boychuk: even
The Amerks return to action Saturday versus Adirondack.
Marcus Foligno and T.J. Brennan each scored goals Saturday but Rochester couldn't close the deal, instead suffering their second straight loss to North Division rival Toronto, 3-2. The Amerks, who entered the weekend riding a four-game winning streak that had kept them in first-place, exit two points behind the division-leading Marlies with an 8-7-2-1 record.
A night after his costly pinch resulted in the game winning goal, Brayden McNabb posted a pair of assists from the Amerks blueline.
Foligno opened the game's scoring from long range, beating Swedish rap star Mark Owuya for his seventh goal of the year at 1:34 of the first period.
With the game tied 1-1 in the middle frame, T.J. Brennan scored his third of the season by tipping a McNabb shot past Owuya.
The Amerks, whose power play is sure to get some attention in practice this week after going a combined 0/11 in the two one-goal losses, welcome Albany to the BCA on Friday.
In ECHL action, Corey Fienhage scored his third goal of the season as Gwinnett gave up a late marker in a 3-2 loss to South Carolina. Fienhage opened scoring at 11:59 of the first when he and Riley Boychuk broke away for a 2x1 rush. Boychuk earned his first ECHL point on the play.
Big Joe Finley scored his first goal as an Amerk Friday, but Rochester saw their four-game winning streak halted in a 2-1 loss to Toronto. With the game knotted 1-1 in the final frame, the Amerks allowed a shorthanded goal with 2:28 left to slip to 8-6-2-1 on the year.
The tie will be broken today when the teams play again, this time in Toronto at 3 p.m.
"We have to get it back and cancel this out and save the weekend," said defenseman Joe Finley, who scored the Amerks goal 6:38 into the first period.
The Amerks thought they were in great position to win the game as they headed to a power play with only 3:25 to play.
Instead, the Marlies penalty killers pressured the Amerks into a turnover, and from the giveaway came D'Amigo's goal, his third of the season.
The Rundown:
Szydlowski: A, +1
Kassian: -1, 3 SOG
McNabb: -1, 1 SOG, 4 PIM
Foligno: even
Crawford: 4 SOG
Biega: 2 PIM
Parker: -1
Schiestel: -2, 1 SOG
MacKenzie: even
Lagace: even
***
Riley Boychuk made his ECHL debut Friday, posting four shots on goal and his first professional fighting major as Gwinnett downed South Carolina, 4-2. Boychuk tangled with Washington prospect Dustin Stevenson on his very first shift of the game. Corey Fienhage finished -1 with a roughing minor.
Zack Kassian scored a goal for the third straight game to help Rochester to a 2-1 Saturday night win over Grand Rapids. The 6'3 rookie, who pounced on a rebound for his fourth goal in his last five contests, continues to lead the Amerks with seven goals and 13 points through the club's first 15 games.
Veteran forward Colin Stuart potted the game winning goal, his fifth mark of the year, at 18:36 of the middle frame.
With Papa Kass providing a solid prospect beat, the bigger story this weekend may have been the play of veteran goaltender Drew MacIntyre. The 28-year old stopper made 78 saves in earning Friday and Saturday wins, and could emerge as the #1 guy if his sharp play continues Wednesday against Syracuse.
The Rundown:
Kassian: G, +2
Szydlowski: A, 2 SOG
Crawford: even
Foligno: even
Schiestel: -1
Tropp: -1
Lagace: -1
Biega: -1
McNabb: 1 SOG
Brennan: 2 SOG
Zack Kassian scored the game winning goal Friday while Brayden McNabb added an insurance marker to lead Rochester to a 3-1 victory of defending Calder Cup champion Binghamton. The win moves the Amerks ahead of Toronto into first place in the North Division of the AHL's Western Conference.
Kassian's blast from the left dot midway through the second period was his team-leading sixth goal of the year. He'd also pick up an assist to earn the game's #1 star.
McNabb scored his second goal of the year, and second in as many games, on a 5x3 power play at 2:49 of the third period. The 6'5 defender now has three points in his last two games.
Matt MacKenzie, Riley Boychuk, Jonathan Parker, and Dennis Persson all did not dress for the Amerks.
The Rundown:
Kassian: G, A, 4 SOG
McNabb: G, 3 SOG, 2 PIM
Foligno: +1
Lagace: 1 SOG
Brennan: 1 SOG
Biega: 1 SOG
Schiestel: even
Crawford: even
Szydlowski: 2 PIM
The Amerks, who have been clicking since the debut Paul Szczechura (4GP 1+5), will have Corey Tropp back from his four-game recall when they host Grand Rapids on Saturday.
In Saturday AHL action, Jacob Lagace and Marcus Foligno potted goals for the second straight night but Rochester was dominated at Syracuse, 5-2.
After former Kelowna Rocket Kyle Cumiskey gave the Crunch a first period lead, Lagace scored his fifth of the season at 8:49 to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
It was all Crunch from there as Syracuse would net the game's next four goals, including the first three on the power play, to stifle an Amerks offense that would fire just 13 shots over the final 40-minutes. The Crunch, on the other hand, fired 31 shots over that span for a total of 42 on Amerks netminder Drew MacIntyre.
Marcus Foligno, skating for the second straight night with Paul Szczechura and Zack Kassian, scored his fifth goal of the season in the game's final minute.
Orchard Park native and former Lowell standout Nick Schaus was -1 for the Crunch.
The Rundown:
Foligno: 1G, +1, 1 SOG
Lagace: 1G, 2 SOG
Kassian: +1, 2 SOG
McNabb: +1, 4 PIM
Schiestel: +1
Crawford: +1
Biega: +1, 1 SOG, 2 PIM
Brennan: -1, 3 SOG
MacKenzie: -1, 2 PIM
Szydlowski: DNP
Boychuk: DNP
Parker: DNP
Persson: DNP
Winners just once in their last seven, the Amerks will look for a rebound when the two clubs head back to Rochester for Sunday's rematch.
In Saturday AHL action, Corey Tropp scored his fourth goal of the season as Rochester's winless skid hit five games with a 3-1 loss to Binghamton.
Brayden McNabb and Phil Varone earned assists on Tropp's even-strength marker, while 2010-11 AHL All-Star Drew Schiestel returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a knee injury.
The Amerks missed an opportunity to enact some revenge on the group that knocked them out of the playoffs a season ago while wearing the colors of the Portland Pirates.
T.J. Brennan and Marcus Foligno each earned assists Thursday as Rochester dropped a 3-2 overtime decision at Hamilton. Losers of four straight, the Amerks are now 0-3 versus the Bulldogs this season.
The Amerks didn't get on the board until a quarter of the way into the final period. Colin Stuart cut in from the right side and scored at 5:05. A few minutes later, the rebound of a Brennan point shot was potted by Derek Whitmore to force the OT session.
Harvard and Quebec Remparts product Louis Leblanc paced the Bulldogs with the overtime tally and two regulation assists.
The Rundown:
Brennan: 1A, 3 SOG, 2 PIM
Foligno: 1A, +1
Kassian: +1, 2 SOG
McNabb: +1, 2 SOG
Parker: +1
MacKenzie: +1, 2 SOG
Szydlowski: 2 SOG
Lagace: 2 SOG
Boychuk: 2 SOG, 2 PIM
Biega: -1
Crawford: -1, 2 PIM
Tropp: -2, 3 SOG
The Amerks swing back to New York for a Saturday battle at Binghamton.
Marcus Foligno scored his third goal of the year Sunday but Rochester couldn't capitalize on eight power plays in suffering a 3-1 setback to Adirondack.
The Amerks outshot the Phantoms by a 34-16 margin, but were victimized by a shorthanded goal late in the first period for what proved to be the game winner.
Brayden McNabb picked up an assist on the Foligno goal, his fourth point of the year.
