AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Lock Second Place In Shootout Win

Published on April 9, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


The Rochester Americans clinched second place in the American Hockey League's North Division and home ice advantage in the first round of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs with a 4-3 shootout win over the Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena. With the win Rochester has now won four of their last five games and improves to (44-32-2-1). Toronto drops to (32-35-6-5) with the loss.

Leading the way for Rochester was Jamie Johnson (1+1) and Jordan Henry (0+2), who both continue their point streaks and earned the first and second stars of the game, respectively. Johnson also becomes the first player to reach 70 points in a season, since Chris Taylor achieved the feat in the 2004-05 season. Jeff Taffe (1+0), Michal Repik (0+1), Rory Fitzpatrick (0+1) and Taylor (0+1) also contributed one point each in the contest.

For the Marlies, Andre Deveaux (1+1) had one goal and one assist in the game and earned the third star. He led Toronto into overtime by scoring the Marlies' equalizer midway through the third period.

Rochester's netminder Alexander Salak had a strong performance on the night and was awarded with his 29th win of the season. He also had key saves in the overtime period and the shoot-out to keep the Amerks on top. Salak saved 35 of the 38 shots he faced.

Toronto's goaltender, James Reimer, saved 32 shots of the 35 he faced in the losing effort.

With clinching second place, Rochester will open the postseason most likely against the Abbotsford Heat in Game 1 of the best-of-seven North Division Semifinals on Thursday, April 15th at The Blue Cross Arena. The Amerks remain at home for Game 2 on Saturday, April 17th before hitting the road for the next three games. If necessary, Rochester will return home for Game 6 and 7 on Sunday, April 25th and Tuesday, April 27th.

First-round playoff tickets are available for advance purchase starting as low as $10 for 200-Upper End seating, while the premium 100-level seats are priced at $19. All prices will increase $1 for all day-of-game purchases.

The Amerks are also offering first-round specific group pricing (10 or more people), starting as low as $10.

Current season ticket holders are able to purchase the first round package, beginning at just $50. If season ticket holders wish to purchase on a per-game basis, they may purchase their season seat up to 48 hours before the game of their choice. Season ticket holders are encouraged to contact a ticket representative at 585-454-5335 to discuss playoff options. Tickets can be purchased at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or visiting ticketmaster.com.

In tonight's game, Taffe lifted one into the upper right hand corner scoring the first goal of the game and his team-leading 28th of the season for the Amerks at 3:42 in the first period. With the goal, Taffe continues a four-game point steak, while Johnson continues a three-game point streak with an assist on the play. Also assisting on the play was Fitzpatrick.

Scoring the second goal and second point of the night was Johnson to give the Amerks a 2-0 lead over the Marlies in the first. Assisting on the play was Henry (13+17) who doubled his point total from last season with 30 points this season. Taylor put in the third goal of the night for Rochester to increase its lead to 3-0 over the Marlies at 17:24 in the first. Taylor received a pass at the point from Repik and drilled the puck past Reimer. Henry added his second point of the night with an assist on the play.

Toronto finally got their first goal 19:05 in the first period to make the score 3-1. Scoring on the play was defenseman Juraj Mikus with his sixth gaol of the season. Assisting on the play for the Marlies was winger Deveaux and Alex Foster.

Neither team was able to put up any goals in the second period. Amerks' Salak was a wall in the net saving all nine of the Marlies shots he faced to give him a total of 16 saves on the night.

The Marlies would not start the third period quiet though, decreasing Rochester's lead 3-2 at 3:01 of the third stanza. Left-winger Ryan Hamilton scored his 16th goal of the season by popping-up the puck over Salak's shoulder, in front of the net. Greg Scott and Tim Brent of the Marlies both picked up their first point of the night with helpers on the goal.

Deveaux netted the equalizer and his 16th goal of the season at 4:26 of the third period for Toronto. Jonas Frogren and Brennan Evans contributed with assists on the play.

In the shoot-out it took all five shooters to have a game winner. Repik, Taffe and Mike York netted the goals to lift the Amerks to a 3-2 shoot out win.

The Amerks close out the season on Saturday, April 10th as they look to remain perfect against the Syracuse Crunch at the War Memorial at Oncenter. The 7:30 p.m. contest is the 10th of the season between the longtime regional rivals and can be heard live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK and FM 107.3, Rochester's Sports Talk. Rochester has an unblemished 9-0-0-0 record this season against the Crunch and has outscored its opponent 40-21 through the previous nine gatherings. The Amerks are 4-0-0-0 on the road against the Crunch, the best against any team on the road, and also own a 91-75-15 lifetime record against Syracuse.

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