AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Comeback Bid Denied By Hamilton In Overtime

December 20, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans' comeback bid was denied by an overtime goal by Mathieu Darche 50 seconds into the extra frame, as the Hamilton Bulldogs won 5-4 tonight at The Blue Cross Arena. The Amerks rallied three times to force a tie and appeared to have taken the lead, but Michal Repik's goal in the final two minutes was waved off because of a high stick.

Darche's game-winner gave him three goals on the night and propelled the Bulldogs into first place in the North Division (19-7-2-3, 43 points). The Amerks now trail Hamilton by one point after earning their 42nd of the season (20-9-2-0). The loss gives Rochester a season-high three-game losing streak.

Rochester was led by Jamie Johnson, who scored one goal and added two assists. He now has five points in his last two games (3+2). Chris Taylor also continued his hot streak with two goals to give him four points (2+2) in the past two contests. Chris Beckford-Tseu earned the loss in a 36-save effort. Alexander Salak started the game and denied eight of nine shots he faced before leaving with an injury. Cedrick Desjardins picked up the win with 22 saves, while left wing Benoit Pouliot (1+2) collected three points.

In the first period, the Amerks took a big hit at 9:28 as Pouliot scored a power-play goal for a 1-0 lead. The play also resulted in an injury to Salak, forcing Chris Beckford-Tseu into action. With "Becks" in between the pipes, Rochester rallied to tie the game at one on a goal by Daniel Steiner at 17:48. Johnson and Jordan Henry earned assists on the goal. It was Steiner's second goal in two games since joining Rochester.

In the second period, the Bulldogs used two goals in 14 seconds to break open a 1-1 game. The Bulldogs' J.T. Wyman scored off a goal-mouth scramble at 6:58 of the second to go ahead 2-1. The Bulldogs then made it 3-1 just 14 seconds later on a goal by Darche.

Rochester, however, rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie the game at three before the end of the second period. Johnson evened the game at 18:01, banking the puck off a defenseman's skate and past Desjardins. It was Johnson's fifth point in the past two games, and third tonight (1+2). Taylor cut the lead to one with a power-play marker at 7:44, as he tipped in a Clay Wilson point shot. Johnson earned his second assist of the night on the goal.

In the third, the Bulldogs regained the lead with a power-play goal by Darche at the 2:46 mark. Pouliot picked up the assist. Taylor responded and scored his second of the night at 12:24 to tie the contest at four. Henry and Repik assisted on the goal. Rochester then appeared to have taken a 5-4 lead with 1:48 to play, but Repik was called for a high stick and the goal was waved off. The Bulldogs weathered the Rochester pressure and won it in the opening minute of overtime as Darche poked a loose puck past Beckford-Tseu.

The Amerks' next home game is on Saturday, December 26th as Hamilton returns to The Blue Cross Arena for the second time in a six-day span. The 7:05 p.m. North Division contest will be broadcast live on Sports Radio 1280 WHTK and FM 107.3, Rochester's Sports Talk. The game will also be televised live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet Channel 26.

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2009


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.

OurSports Central