Amerks Defeat Springfield to Continue Success on the Road

Posted on December 9, 2017Keith Wozniak
Tweet
Share

The Amerks continued their road success on Friday night defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds 2-1. Linus Ullmark got the win in net with 18 saves to extend the teams road record to 7-1-3-1.

Rochester dominated play through the first period and didn’t allow a shot against Ullmark until six minutes into the first period.

Seth Griffith scored first at 7:15 with assists to Guhle and Nelson. The play was all Griffith though. He took a pass at center ice from Guhle but didn’t see a way to advance so he took it back to the top of the face off circles in front of Ullmark to setup a play. He gave the ice a look, took off the right side, chipped it off the boards entering the zone and sniped one short side top corner the net past Samuel Montembeault.

The Amerks lead 13-6 in shots in the first period and in a scoreless second period lead 13-7 in shots. Each team had two power play opportunities in the second as well.

With about 1.5 seconds left in the second period Linus Ullmark made a fantastic toe save.

Kyle Criscuolo scored in his first game back with the Amerks at 7:18 of the third. A couple of quick dekes and a backhand under the right pad to give the Amerks a 2-0 lead.

Just over four minutes later at 12:31 of the third the Thunderbirds made it a close 2-1 game off a goal by Maxime Fortunus. Ludwig Bystrom took a shot that looked like it was slightly redirected by a stick, off the cross bar and landed right at the feet of Fortunus.

Colin Blackwell drew a penalty with 45.2 seconds left in the game as Springfield had pulled their goalie. Jayce Hawryluk was called for interference as he tried to stop Blackwell who was pressuring the puck carrier.

Some terrific forechecking in the last 30 seconds of the game by Malone, Cornel and Ross and prevented any sort of attempt at a last minute rush by the Thunderbirds. The game ended with the Amerks leading the third period 11-6 in shots for a game total of 37-19.

The game was a team effort with everyone on the bench contributing in some way. There was continued offensive pressure throughout the entire game from every line.

One of two players that didn’t get a shot on the score sheet was Alexander Nylander but the sheet is deceiving as he contributed in line mate Nick Baptiste recording six shots throughout the game.

Springfield head coach Geordie Kinnear said after the game, “That’s a good hockey team that beat us.”

Two more games to go this weekend, Saturday vs Hartford and Sunday vs Bridgeport.

Tweet
Share
Tags

About the author... I started LetsGoAmerks.com in 2007 - now called LGA585.com - when there was a hole in the media universe regarding coverage of the Rochester Americans (there still is). The team has provided media access which allows us to obtain information and interviews. You won't find coverage about the team like this anywhere else! Click the icons to the side and follow along on Twitter as well.