ROCHESTER, N.Y. --- It was a different feeling on Friday night at the Blue Cross Arena. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans are allowed at any Rochester Americans hockey game for their shortened 32 game season. But the Amerks came out to play, outshooting the Utica Comets 12-3 in the first period. But they could not find the win in the end, losing 3-2.
Both the Comets and Americans traded goals in the first period. Utica got on the board first when Kole Lind lit the lamp for his first of the season. But with 26 seconds to go in the period, new American Patrick McGrath found the back of the net for his first of the year, tying the game at one.
After firing on all cylinders in the first period, the Amerks took a back seat in shots on goal in the second. Utica held the 15-13 advantage and capitalized with 10:35 to go in the period as Johan Gadjovich notched his first of the season, giving the Comets a 2-1 lead.
Utica tacked on an insurance goal in the third before Arttu Ruotsalainen scored his first career AHL goal, cutting the deficit to one. And despite forcing two late power plays, the Americans could not find the equalizer.
But it was not just Arttu Ruotsalainen who had a night to remember for the Americans. Dominic Franco and Mattias Samuelsson each picked up their first points in the AHL with assists in the losing effort.
The Amerks have a few days off before they host the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.
Photo By: Rochester Americans