(Rochester, NY)... After a slow first period, it only took a 16-second span in the second for the Rochester Americans to gain a two-goal lead on the Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena. From there, the home team never looked back, gaining their 10th straight victory with a 4-1 win over the Toronto Marlies. With the win, the Amerks are now one shy of tying the franchise's all-time longest winning streak of 11 games set in the 1984-85 season.Rochester now improves to 11-1-1-0 (23 points) to remain atop the American Hockey League, while Toronto falls to 6-4-1-1 (14 points). Rochester was led by a two-goal effort from David Brine and a two-assist performance from Clay Wilson. Alexander Salak finished with 24 saves, improving his record to 8-0-0, while the Marlies' Joey MacDonald recorded 27 saves in the defeat.
The Amerks took the lead at 5:07 in the second when forward Michael Duco knocked in a rebound off of a Jason Garrison slap shot. On Rochester's first power play of the night, Duco found the loose puck before MacDonald and recorded his second goal in the past two games. Also assisting on the goal was Jamie Johnson.
Only 16 seconds later, forward David Brine carried the puck into the offensive zone, and almost to the goal line, before taking a quick shot that found its way past MacDonald. Brine's goal came from Wilson and Keaton Ellerby. With the points, Wilson became the highest scoring defenseman on the team, while Ellerby got his fifth assist in five games.
Brine sealed the Amerks' victory when he backhanded a loose puck from the redline and into the Toronto empty net at 19:23 of the third. It was Brine's second goal of the night, earning him first-star honors.
The Marlies' only goal came early in the game when defenseman Todd Perry blasted a shot from the left point up and over the glove of Amerk goaltender Alexander Salak. The goal, scored 1:58 into the first, was assisted by forwards Jiri Tlusty and Andre Deveaux.
New Amerk Ernie Hartlieb added Rochester's first goal by capitalizing on a 2-on-1 break with Wilson during the first period. Wilson and Shawn Matthias were credited with the goal's assists.
The Amerks close out their three-game homestand on Tuesday, November 10th as the Hamilton Bulldogs make their first trip across the border to The Blue Cross Arena this season. The 7:05 matchup will be the first of eight meetings this season between the divisional foes and can be heard live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK and FM 107.3, Rochester's Sports Talk. Fans can also tune in to watch the game live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet Channel 26.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.