AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Ring In New Year With Second Straight Loss

December 31, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans ushered in the start of 2010 on the losing end this evening, dropping a 5-1 decision in a New Year's Eve matinee to the Lake Erie Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena. The loss was Rochester's second straight on its current three-game road trip as the Amerks fell to 22-12-2-0. With the win, the last-place Monsters improve to 14-18-0-3.

Second-year forward Michal Repik netted Rochester's lone goal as goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu posted 28 saves in the losing effort.

Lake Erie's Darren Haydar, Brian Willsie and Marty Sertich each scored a goal and assist for the hometown Monsters who have now won five of their last six. T.J. Hensick assisted on two goals and fifth-year pro Tyler Weiman garnered his 12th win of the season with a 14-save effort between the pipes.

Haydar gave the Monsters a 1-0 lead at 7:44 of the opening period with his team-leading 16th goal of the season. Ryan Stoa and Brian Fahey were each credited with assists on the play.

Lake Erie extended its lead to 2-0 just under four minutes later on Willsie's 10th of the season at the 11:21 mark.

Repik responded with his 10th of the campaign on the power-play at the 14:00 mark to cut the deficit in half and put the Amerks within one heading into the second stanza. Jamie Johnson collected his team-high 33rd point with an assist on the goal and defenseman Clay Wilson became the American Hockey League's leader in power-play assists with his 14th helper on the man advantage.

The Monsters regained their two-goal lead as Sertich found the back of the net at 11:37 of the middle frame to make it a 3-1 game. Lake Erie would maintain the two-point cushion heading into the third before Cedric McNicoll scored at 7:53 to increase the lead to 4-1.

Stoa rounded out the scoring with his 13th of the year on the power-play at 15:58 to secure the 5-1 win for Lake Erie.

The Amerks open their 2010 slate and complete their three-game in four-night stretch as they face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday, January 2nd at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. The 7:05 p.m. non-divisional matchup will be the second of four get-togethers for the Amerks and the Baby Penguins and will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK and FM 107.3, Rochester Sports Talk. Rochester is 1-0-0-0 this season and 11-6-6 all-time against the affiliate of defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

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