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Amerks Open Two-Game Set with 3-1 Loss to Griffins

November 26, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans allowed two goals in the opening four minutes of the contest and could not overcome the early deficit as the Amerks dropped a 3-1 decision to the visiting Grand Rapids in the first leg of a two-game set between the two teams Wednesday night at The Blue Cross Arena.

The Amerks' lone goal was scored by former Griffin Matt Ellis, his fifth of the season, with Mark Pysyk and Mikhail Grigorenko earning the assists on the play. Nathan Lieuwen, fresh off of his reassignment from the Buffalo Sabres, started in net and allowed three goals on 37 shots.

Andy Miele, Andreas Athanasiou and Landon Ferraro scored for Grand Rapids and goaltender Tom McCollum saved 27 of Rochester's 28 shots on goal.

The visiting Griffins jumped out to an early two-goal lead off the sticks of Miele and Athanasiou. Miele's goal came just 1:07 after opening puck drop, while Athanasiou's shot would take a fortunate bounce over Lieuwen's shoulder just 2:36 later to spot Grand Rapids to an early 2-0 advantage.

The Amerks turned to their power-play late in the first period to get on the score sheet. The goal, coming with just 1:36 left in the first period, came on a play started by Pysyk. Pysyk received a pass from Grigorenko at the top of the zone, waited for a shooting lane and fired the puck on net with Ellis parked in front. Ellis got his stick on the puck and deflected it over McCollum, bringing the Amerks within one.

During a tightly contested second period that saw some critical saves from Lieuwen, the Amerks received another late-period power-play. This time, however, Grand Rapids would strike when Ferraro skated in on a partial breakaway and fought off a stick-check before slipping the puck past Lieuwen with just 42 seconds left in the middle frame.

Trailing 3-1, the Amerks received three consecutive power-play opportunities in the third period, but could not solve McCollum for a second time. With two minutes left in regulation and still down by two scores, the Amerks pulled Lieuwen for the extra attacker, but McCollum and the Griffins were able to hold on for the win.

The same two teams are back in action on Friday, Nov. 28 as the Amerks and Griffins square off again for the second time in three nights in the back-end of their two-game set at The Blue Cross Arena. Game time for the special Black Friday matchup is slated for 7:05 p.m. and will be carried live on FOX Sports 1280 Rochester.

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