Amerks suffer overtime loss to Rocket
- rolek16
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ryan Oleksyn / Sports writer
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Americans were defeated by the Laval Rocket Friday night by a final score of 3-2. Amerks Goalie Devon Levi faced 37 shots on net and made some impressive saves down the stretch, but a costly breakaway chance given to Laval in overtime cost Rochester the game.
"He was great." said Amerks head coach Michael Leone when talking about Devon Levi. "He has been playing really good hockey for us."
The contest would begin deadlocked through the first 10 minutes of play until there was a quick momentum shift by Laval. Rocket Defenseman Tobie Bisson would go bar down on a wrister in the Rochester zone and earn his second goal of the season. He was assisted by Owen Beck and Joshua Roy as Laval grabbed the 1-0 lead with 6:55 remaining in the first period.
But just when Laval began to think they had some margin for error with the lead, it was evaporated thanks to a fast response on the powerplay by Rochester winger Carson Meyer. it was Meyers 11th goal of the season, and he was assisted by Zach Metsa and Anton Wahlberg. The Amerks and Rocket were now tied at one a piece with 3:39 remaining in the first frame.
With the final 30 seconds counting down in the first, Laval took advantage of a loose puck in the Rochester zone and buried their second goal of the game past Rochester goaltender Devon Levi. Laval winger Luke Tuch earned his eighth goal of the season as he was assisted by Tyler Thorpe and Adam Engström.
After one period of play the Rocket led the Amerks by a score of 2-1. But Rochester still remained ahead of Laval in shots on goal 11-8.
The second frame began similar to the first as both teams were firing shots at both goalies with little success of finding the back of the net. Multiple roughing penalties were exchanged between the two sides throughout the second frame, and it created a serious tension between Rochester and Laval.
Many scoring opportunities were present in the second frame, but both sides were not able to light the lamp. Laval out shot Rochester 21-10 in the second period, and after two periods of play Laval led on the scoreboard still 2-1 and also led in total shots on goal 29-20.
The physicality would only ramp up with these two teams to begin the third period, and it seemed like someone was due to score.
Sure enough, at even strength Rochester delivered with a game tying goal with 13:57 remaining in the third period. Amerks Forword Isak Rosén scored via a slap shot from the right side of the Laval zone, beating Rocket goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen. It was Rosén' s 25th goal of the season and he was assisted by Gavin Bayreuther and Konsta Helenius.
"its always really good games." Said Rosén talking about matching up against Laval. "They're first for a reason."
Video: @ AmerksHockey on X
The third period would continue to be a large test for both goalies as shots rained down at them both from all angles of the ice. Both goalies stood their ground though and with the seconds dwindling down
in the third period, Rochester and Laval were still tied at two goals apiece and to overtime we went.
After three periods of play the score stood at 2-2 and the total shots on net were in favor of Laval 36-29.
To begin overtime, the puck was down in the Laval zone. Rochester was lining up for a shot on goal attempt, but the Rocket were able to steal the puck away and skate to the other end and create a two on one advantage where they scored the game winner to clinch the 3-2 victory over the Amerks.
The goal was scored by Laval defenseman Marc Del Gaizo. It was Del Gaizos seventh goal of the season and he was assisted by Kaapo Kähkönen.
"They got a really good team." Said Leone talking about Laval. "They just got a lot of confidence."
The Amerks next game is Wednesday when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Monsters, Puck drop is set for 7:05. With the overtime loss, Rochester's record now sits at 24-17-5-3 and they remain in fourth place in the North division.
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