ROCHESTER, NY – Jean Dupuy’s first professional goal midway through the second period stood as the game-winner as the Rochester Americans extended their win streak to three games with a 3-1 win over the visiting Binghamton Senators Friday night at The Blue Cross Arena.
The win is Rochester’s first at home over the B-Sens since Apr. 4, 2014 and improves the Amerks to 6-5-0-0 on the season.
Colby Robak and Jack Nevins also scored in the win for Rochester while goaltender Nathan Lieuwen stopped 27 of 28 shots he faced to push his personal win streak to three games, his first since the 2013-14 campaign. Chad Ruhwedel, Matt Garbowsky, Phil Varone, Matt Ellis, Matt Donovan and Justin Bailey all finished with assists as the Amerks snapped a four-game skid to the Senators dating back to last season.
Patrick Mullen scored Binghamton’s lone goal and Chris Driedger finished with 25 saves in the loss as the Senators dropped their fourth straight.
It was a goaltending duel through most of the opening frame as Lieuwen and Driedger came up with several big saves for their respective clubs, but the Amerks would eventually solve Driedger on their 14th shot of the period to take a 1-0 lead.
After breaking up a 2-on-1 rush with a solid defensive play from within his own zone, Robak wasted no time in the transition as he connected a long stretch pass to Evan Rodrigues, who was streaking up the left wing boards. Rodrigues nearly came within inches of his first pro goal, but a last second hold from former Amerk Mike Kostka would prevent the rookie forward from getting his shot off. With Kostka in the box, Rochester needed just 26 seconds to capitalize on the ensuing man-advantage after Robak found himself on the receiving end of a cross-ice pass from Varone that he roofed from the end line for his first of the season. Donovan also earned an assist on the goal, which came with just 26 seconds to spare in the period.
Dupuy provided Rochester with a 2-0 advantage midway through the middle frame when he snapped home his first professional goal with help from Bailey. Ruhwedel moved the puck down the right half-wall to Bailey, who then spun a quick pass to Dupuy at the top of the near circle. Dupuy took two strides before rifling a shot past the glove of Driedger to put the Amerks up by a pair at 9:43. Bailey now has points in each of his last three games, including back-to-back games with goals.
Binghamton closed the gap less than five minutes later off another odd-man rush, but this time the Senators would make it count with Mullen scoring shorthanded at 14:42 to cut the deficit in half.
As was the case in the first period, Rochester wouldn’t let the middle frame slip away without taking the lead for good as Nevins restored the two-goal advantage with 54 seconds remaining. A defensive zone turnover by the Senators would ultimately prove costly as Garbowsky kept the puck alive at the Binghamton blueline before attempting to set up Ellis at the goal-mouth. Ellis’ initial offering was kicked away by Driedger, but Nevins was there to put home the rebound.
Despite being outshout 11-6 over the final 20 minutes, the Amerks relied on more timely saves from Lieuwen and held on for the 3-1 victory.
With Amerks pressrelease
