The Rochester Americans rolled into their second weekend having won their first three of four games in the young season.
With every season comes adversity, which is something the Americans got a college-level class in this past weekend.
Two games were on the docket and both provided their different levels of adversity.
Rochester took one on the chin but was at least able to gain one of four potential points.
Results
October 18– Cleveland 4, Rochester 3 (SO)
ROC: D. Smith (1), J. Dea (2), S. Wilson (1)
ROC: A. Hammond – 16 saves (W – 3-0-1-0)
October 19 – Utica 7, Rochester 1
ROC: T. Thompson (3)
ROC: A. Hammond – 23 saves (L – 3-1-1-0)
Three Big Things
1: Power(less) Play
Rochester had a tough two-game swing this past weekend, no doubt about it.
One of the more frustrating things to come from these games? A giant goose egg in the power play column.
Giant, you ask?
Rochester was 0-for-6 on Friday with the man advantage, one-upped by their 0-for-8 performance on Saturday.
The opportunities were surely there but the execution clearly was not.
2: Development Continues
Despite getting throttled against the Utica Comets on Saturday, one bright spot in the lineup continues to be forward Tage Thompson.
As previously mentioned, only one goal was scored for Rochester on Saturday and it belonged to Tage Thompson.
Thompson leads the Americans with three goals scored in six games and also leads the squad with six points in those aforementioned six games.
When watching Thompson on the ice, it continues to feel like the growth is happening right before our eyes – despite the small sample size.
While growing pains are always likely, we will continue to keep our eyes on Tage “Point-Per-Game” Thompson.
3: Ugly Weekend for Hammond
Throughout the long hockey season, the old cliche is as simple as – you win some and you lose some.
Unfortunately for goaltender Andrew Hammond, the losses can hurt a little more when you have an ugly outing.
On Friday, Hammond held on for a shootout loss – which you certainly cannot blame him for the loss when the only shootout goal scored against went viral almost immediately after it happened.
Nathan Gerbe was a magician with the puck in last night’s shootout win for @monstershockey! pic.twitter.com/89IIW5B7yY
— AHL (@TheAHL) October 19, 2019
Have mercy, Nathan Gerbe! That man has a family.
Saturday was a different story.
Hammond was hammered for seven goals on 30 shots – not a great day at the office against a very strong Utica Comets squad.
Thankfully for Hammond, the Americans are off until Wednesday, October 23 and the return of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the goaltending rotation is imminent.
Standings
Coming Up
Wednesday, October 23 – Rochester Americans vs Hershey Bears