ROCHESTER< NY – David Musil’s goal at the 11:57 mark of the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Rochester Americans were defeated by the first-place Oklahoma City Barons Saturday night at The Blue Cross Arena. The game was the first 
of two on the season between the interconference rivals, who will wrap up the season series eight days from now in Oklahoma City. Prior to the game, the Amerks inducted longtime forward and current assistant coach Chris Taylor as the 56th member of the franchise’s prestigious Hall of Fame.
Goaltender Matt Hackett, making his first start in net since suffering an injury last April while playing for the Buffalo Sabres, was solid in his season debut with 26 saves on 28 shots.
Musil added an assist to his game-winning goal, and Joshua Winquist also scored for the Barons, who extended their road winning streak to an AHL-best five games and won for the ninth time in 10 games. Richard Bachman started in net for Oklahoma City and stopped all of the 28 shots he faced to earn the shutout.
The opening period ended with a scoreless 0-0 tie and Oklahoma City holding an 11-5 shot advantage. The Barons appeared to score their first goal on the power-play in the final minutes, but the goal was disallowed after Matthew Ford upended Hackett prior to the puck entering the net.
Ford nearly converted on the same shift after collecting the puck after a scrum in front of the net that left a partially empty cage. Ford shoveled the puck at the net, but was denied by the left leg of Hackett.
Allan MacPherson nearly scored his first career AHL goal in the second period after knocking down a point shot from Jake McCabe and sliding the puck past Bachman. The play was immediately waved off by referee Terry Koharski after a high-stick nullified the play.
After two disallowed goals, Oklahoma City finally opened the scoring after Musil’s one-timed shot from the high slot snuck through Hackett’s five-hole, giving the Barons a 1-0 lead 11:57 into the middle frame.
The Barons added some insurance late in the third period when Musil fed Winquist for another one-timer from in close that snuck past Hackett’s arm to put the visitors up 2-0 with just over five minutes to go.
