Powerplay woes haunt Amerks against Laval
Ryan Oleksyn / Sports Writer
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Americans were defeated by the Laval Rocket by a final score of 3-1 on Friday. Rochester struggled to find any momentum on the six powerplay opportunities they had over the course of the game. The Amerks had some costly mistakes that led to the Rocket coming away with the victory in the first of a back-to-back at Blue Cross arena.
" We mismanaged the puck a lot." Said Amerks head coach Michael Leone. " I think we got to do a better job at screening the goalie."
The contest would begin slow as both sides would exchange shots to the net, but no early scoring was awarded to begin.
Laval would get their first powerplay opportunity off a Rochester interference penalty by Radim Mrtka. But even with a few in close chances, the Rocket were not able to capitalize and the score remained 0-0.
Just seconds later, Rochester would get into penalty trouble once again. This time it was Jack Rathbone receiving a slashing penalty. But the Amerks penalty kill unit stood tall and kept Laval off the scoreboard.
As the period would progress, Rochester struggled to create any offensive pressure on the Laval defense.
But the Amerks would head to the powerplay as the first period would come to a close. With one period in the books Rochester would still have 1:19 remaining on their powerplay and the score remained 0-0. In the shots on goal department Laval had a commanding lead 14-3 over Rochester.
To begin the second period, the Rochester powerplay unit would hit the ice but not long after, both sides were at full strength and the game ensued.
Later in the frame, Rochester had a five on three man advantage. With only seconds remaining in the powerplay, the Amerks foiled another scoring opportunity.
But just seconds later at full strength, The Amerks would find the back of the net thanks to a goal from defenseman Vsevolod Komarov. It was Komarov's first goal of the season, and he was assisted by Carson Meyer and Riley Fiddler-Schultz.
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After two periods of play Rochester now held a 1-0 lead but still trailed in shots on goal 25-14.
The two sides would begin the third and final frame by firing shots at each other's goaltenders hoping to spark an offensive push.
For Laval it finally worked, as a costly turnover by Rochester in their own zone led to the Rocket scoring their first goal of the game. Jared Davidson lit the lamp for Laval and it was his second goal of the season. The Rocket were now tied with the Amerks 1-1 with 13:52 remaining in the third period.
Later in the period with 8:46 remaining and Laval on the powerplay, Rocket centerman Samuel Poulin would snipe a go-ahead goal to give Laval a 2-1 lead. It was Poulins fourth goal of the season, and he was assisted by Luke Mittelstadt and Alex Belzile.
With the final few minutes to play, Rochester began to get desperate for some offense as they pulled the goaltender for the six on five advantage. But with a quick save and lead pass by Rocket goalie Kevin Mandolese, he set up a perfect assist as Samuel Poulin scored his second goal of the game.
It was Poulin's fifth goal of the season, and it clinched the victory for the Rocket as they defeated Rochester by a final score of 3-1.
"Just got to turn the page, move on, and be ready to go tomorrow." Said Michael Leone.
With the loss Rochester now sits in fifth place in the north division and holds a record of 7-6-0-1. the Amerks next game is Saturday at home against Laval with puck drop set for 5:05.
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