The Amerks have already played the Manitoba Moose four times this season, which has resulted in four of eleven losses, and being outscored 17-4. The Rochester Americans just can’t seem to get the puck in the net to keep themselves in games, or try and make a comeback to win some games. The loss drops the Amerks record down to 2-11. On the bright side, we haven’t been shut out yet!
“We had a good start, we were matching them, and obviously a good team finds a way to win,” Benoit Groulx said after the game.
The Amerks did start the game well. The first Moose goal was scored by Jason Jaffrey as he seemed to skate untouched right on towards the net where he put the puck away. Janis Sprukts seemed to be slowing into the play and just let Jaffrey squeeze right by.
Mike Duco responded about seven minutes later to tie the game at one a piece. Michal Repik followed the puck behind the net and was able to pass it out to a rushing Mike Duco who managed the Amerks lone goal of the night against Karl Goehring.
The next two goals were ones that a seasoned team never would have allowed, not only in goal but defense as well. Groulx commented, “two bad goals from sharp angles that should not have gone in.”
The first of those two goals was the game winner when James Neal took a shot from the glove side of Beckford-Tseu and managed to get it over his right arm.
Those three goals were in the first period.
Jason Jaffrey tallied his second of the net to make it a 3-1 game at 17:56 of the second period. This was the second goal scored from a sharp angle. This goal was scored for a similar reason to the first from the Moose, poor coverage allowed the player to just make the goal look so easy. Jaffrey scored off of an easy rebound offered up by Beckford-Tseu. This goal was the result of Keaton Ellerby standing by as Jaffrey easily grabbed the rebound and put it away. The shot was taken at such an angle that Beckford-Tseu should’ve been able to stop it, but Ellerby never should have let the play get to that point.
At that point the score was 4-1 in the third period and the team really started to fall apart.
“I thought we stopped playing after the 4th goal and that is unacceptable. Even after your down you have to show up, more passion, obviously that was not the case and that disappoints me,” said Groulx.
Rory Fitzpatrick said, “It really it is what is right now i guess, you can point the finger wherever you want right now but we just have to play better. Can come in here and say it’s out worked, out played whatever, we have to stay positive, its tough right now.”
The team is not only having issues when they’re even strength, but they also need to take every chance they can get even on the power play, which isn’t happening.
“Not able to manufacture anything from our power play even when we had chances, couldnt even get the puck in or get the right shot,” said Groulx.
We’re expecting to see that worked on a lot more during practices.
The Moose put the nail in the coffin with a fifth and short handed goal by Guillaume Desbiens at 15:01 of the third period.
Chris Beckford-Tseu stopped 20 of 25 shots in the game. He made a number of big saves, but clearly not enough to win.
Tyler Plante packed his equipment as he was sent to the Dayton Bombers and David Shantz is on his way to Rochester. We’re not quite sure how replacing a goalie with another goalie that’s similar is going to help.
Another thing that needs to be worked on during practice is keeping your stick on the ground. The Manitoba Moose went 1/5 on the power play. The Amerks were called for seven penalties, five of which were for hooking. Some of those were definately penalties, but some of the Moose players also deserve an acting award. Being called for five hooking penalties is reckless.
Tanner Glass and Darryl Bootland entertained us all with a decent fight in the second period, we’ll have the video posted shortly.
It was an announced crowd of 2,586 but I can’t imagine more than 900 were in the building. Even though Tuesday is Veterans Day and a holiday, unless you’re a government worker, you probably still have to work. A much better idea would’ve been scheduling the game for during the day on Veterans Day, as a few other teams around the AHL have done.
Besides the third period, it wasn’t quite as ugly of a game as Friday. It wasn’t nearly as great as Saturday. I’d like to say progress is being made, but unless we win it’s a futile effort.
The Amerks next game is Friday night at Blue Cross Arena against the defending Calder Cup Champion Chicago Wolves.
Injury Update:
Tanner Glass appeared to have strained his shoulder, he left the game towards the end of the third period. He said nothing is torn and it doesn’t seem too serious.
Karl Stewart warmed up on the ice Monday morning, and said he’s going to continue to put more pressure on his knee daily. When I asked him if he’d be back for the game against the Wolves on Friday he didn’t seem so sure.
Michael Caruso has an injured shoulder as well, no updates on his status though.