BUFFALO, NY – The Rochester Americans scored three goals in a span of 3:32 during the second period to overcome a two-goal deficit and defeat the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 Wednesday night at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY. With the win, the Amerks even the season series at one win apiece and improve to 5-2-0-0 on the young season.
Linemates Mikhail Grigorenko and Joel Armia were the key components to the comeback, finishing with a goal and an assist each while Luke Adam scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period for his first of the year. Chad Ruhwedel added an assist on Adam’s goal, extending his personal scoring streak to seven games to start 2014-15.
Andrey Makarov earned the nod in net for the second time in three games, and stopped 28 of 30 shots against to bring his record to 2-0-0-0 in three appearances this year.
T.J. Hensick and Sven Andrighetto scored consecutive second period goals to pace the visiting Bulldogs, while veteran goaltender Joey MacDonald saved 26 shots in the loss.
After almost an entire opening period of both teams feeling each other out, the Amerks took consecutive penalties that led to an extended 5-on-3 opportunity. Despite a couple of quality chances, Hamilton couldn’t put one past Makarov as the Amerks escaped the two-man disadvantage unscathed.
Hamilton opened the scoring first as Hensick cruised down the right wing and whipped a shot over Makarov’s shoulder. Just 1:43 later, Andrighetto carried the puck on an odd-man rush and outwaited Makarov before slipping the puck through the goaltender’s arm to pad Hamilton’s lead to 2-0.
The combination of Armia and Grigorenko finally broke through for the Amerks 8:34 into the middle frame. Skating in on a 3-on-2, Armia dropped the puck to a trailing Grigorenko, who snapped a high shot over MacDonald to bring the Amerks within a single goal.
Just 2:55 later, the duo would strike again with Grigorenko returning the favor to Armia off of a face-off win, and Armia flashed a wrist shot under the crossbar from the top of the right circle to tie the score 2-2.
Adam struck just 37 seconds later to give Rochester its first lead of the night when he cruised down the left side and picked the top corner over MacDonald to put the Amerks in front 3-2. Hamilton would pull MacDonald in the waning minutes of regulation, but the Bulldogs could not find the equalizer despite a 2-on-1 oddman rush with the extra attacker.
The Amerks begin a three-game road swing on Friday, Oct. 31 when they visit the cross-town rival Syracuse Crunch for a special Halloween night matchup at the War Memorial at Oncenter. The 7:00 p.m. contest will be the first of eight meetings between the longtime foes this season and will be carried live on FOX Sports 1280 Rochester.