The Rochester Americans looked to turn their opening night luck around but ultimately fell short to the Charlotte Checkers for the second-straight night.
Things most certainly did not get off to as hot of a start that the Rochester Americans likely were looking for.
Rochester was feeling the pressure throughout most of the first period, as made evident by Charlotte’s 12-6 shot advantage.
The Checkers would actually get on the board first – Morgan Geekie gave Charlotte the 1-0 advantage three minutes into the opening period.
Despite a substantial struggle to remain in the game last night, the Amerks were able to pull themselves right back into this game.
Midway through the first period, Eric Cornel would put home the Amerks’ first goal of the evening at 9:15 of the first period.. Cornel’s first of the season was assisted by Alexander Nylander and Zach Redmond.
That hot start the Americans were looking for – it came in the second period, thanks to a brutal Checkers giveaway.
Alexander Nylander picked off a clearing attempt and immediately dished the puck up to Wayne Simpson, on a mini-breakaway. Simpson put the puck past Alex Nedeljkovic for his first of the season, at nine seconds of the second period.
Rochester’s lead would unfortunately only last for a few minutes.
A quick rush into the zone followed by a defensive breakdown led to a perfect opportunity for the Checkers, where the puck was sitting untouched in front of Scott Wedgewood.
Andrew Poturalski grabbed the loose puck and deposited it into the net, at 2:35 of the second period.
Charlotte would add to their lead a few minutes later, at 5:06 of the second period. Zach Redmond appeared to have lost the puck and Nicholas Roy knew exactly where it was.
Roy poked the loose puck away and was off to the races. With no one but the goaltender to beat, Roy picked the right spot and pushed Charlotte to a 3-2 lead.
Charlotte would continue their outright offensive assault against the Americans midway through the second.
On a power play, the Checkers found themselves again right in front of Scott Wedgewood with the puck on their stick and no one around.
Stop if you have heard this before but Nicholas Roy scored again against the Americans. His fourth of the season went in the books as the Checkers’ fourth goal of the game, at 9:55 of the second period.
Rochester would absolutely turn the heat up in the third – to the tune of a 20-6 shot advantage – but Charlotte held on to complete the Friday / Saturday doubleheader.
The Rochester Americans will turn their sights to the Syracuse Crunch, whom they host on Wednesday night.
Final: Charlotte 4, Rochester 2
Shots on Goal: Rochester – 36 | Charlotte – 32
Rochester Goals: Cornel (1), Simpson (1)
Charlotte Goals: Geekie (1), Poturalski (2), Roy (3, 4)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Nicholas Roy (2 goals, 1 assist)
2. Andrew Poturalski (1 goal)
3. Alexander Nylander (2 assists)