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Amerks Review: Revenge is a Dish Best Served With Goals

Posted on by Ryan Wolfe

The Rochester Americans continued their strong start to the season with wrapping up October and rolling into November with a three-game stretch.

Rochester showed late life against Providence but was unable to complete the comeback – the only real negative of the weekend.

The Americans turned things around and controlled the pace of play during a back-to-back situation that saw them outscore their opponents 10-2.

Things continue to look up for Rochester, who finds themselves in third place in the North Division. While third place might seem a little disappointing, it must be noted that Rochester is one point behind the division-leading Utica Comets – more about those Comets later on in the article.

Results

October 30 – Providence 4, Rochester 3

ROC: C.J. Smith (3), S. Malone (3), K. Porter (3)
ROC: J. Johansson – 22 saves (W – 2-2-1-0)

November 1 – Rochester 4, Binghamton 2

ROC: C. Nelson (1, 2), J. Dea (5), R. Elie (2)
ROC: A. Hammond – 27 saves (W – 4-1-1-1)

November 2 – Rochester 6, Utica 0

ROC: B. Murray (2), S. Wilson (3), R. Asplund (1), C. Lazar (3), T. Thompson (5), J. Burton (1)
ROC: A. Hammond – 28 saves (W – 5-1-1-1)

Three Big Things

1: Sharing the Wealth

In three games this past stretch of games, the Rochester Americans scored 13 total goals. Of those 13 goals, 12 goals were scored by different players.

One thing that Rochester has not struggled with this season is depth scoring, which has continued to be evident throughout.

Through 12 games, the Americans have scored 40 goals. When looking at the stats sheet, it is almost hard to believe that of those aforementioned numbers, 17 different players have scored at least one goal.

These levels of secondary scoring are what any organization can strive for, in an effort to field a consistent, winning hockey team.

2: The Hamburglar Shines

After an ugly outing where he allowed six goals on 21 shots, Andrew Hammond returned to the net for Rochester on November 1 against Binghamton.

Hammond stopped 27 of 29 shots to procure the victory and snap a personal three-game winless streak.

Gord Dineen did not wait to get Hammond back out, turning to him on November 2 against Utica – the opponent who torched him for those aforementioned six goals on 21 shots exactly a week prior.

Not only did the Americans do their job offensively, Hammond was a brick wall in net. All 28 shots were stopped by Hammond, which gave him his first shutout of the season and first as a member of the Rochester Americans.

3: Revenge is a Dish Best Served With Goals

When Rochester took the ice on Saturday night at the Blue Cross Arena, it appeared they had revenge on the mind.

Exactly a week earlier, the Utica Comets had embarrassed the Rochester Americans to the tune of a 6-0 drubbing.

As they say in the world of hockey (at least they will now), revenge is a dish best served with goals.

Rochester had a complete 180 degree performance from a week before.

Instead of getting beat up, the Americans did the beating up.

Six goals on 33 shots – an impressive Saturday night at the barn against a division-rival and first-place team.

Bonus: Revenge is a Dish Best Served With Goals

This week, we feature a bonus section for a very good reason.

The return of Sabres uber-prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is upon us.

Luukkonen was assigned to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL to begin his official on-ice return following offseason hip surgery.

In his first professional appearance since April of last season, Luukkonen was credited with the loss in a 4-1 defeat to the Brampton Beast.

Luukkonen allowed three goals on 25 shots.

Cincinnati and Brampton will play again Sunday afternoon but Luukkonen will not be starting in net. His next step is yet-to-be-determined.

Standings

Coming Up

Friday, November 8 – Rochester Americans vs Binghamton Devils

Talking Points