Hockey fans in Buffalo were treated to a game of professional ice hockey tonight in the First Niagara Center, and they were not disappointed.
Cody Hodgson scored twice, Mark Mancari and Nick Tarnasky also scored, and David Leggio turned in a very solid 36-save performance as the Amerks defeated the Lake Erie Monsters 4-1, moving them into a tie for ninth place in the Western Conference, though they have a few games in hand over most other teams.
The Amerks unstoppable power play led the way once again, with both of Hodgson’s goals coming with the man (or two man) advantage. TJ Brennan kept his point-per-game streak alive with an assist, while Brayden McNabb tallied two helpers despite a rough game that saw him take three minor penalties, one of which led to the only Monsters goal.
The Amerks set a record attendance number of 19,070, and those fans were treated to a victory that featured some brilliant saves from David Leggio as well as a fight from Amerks captain Kevin Porter that earned a nice ovation. The Amerks moved to 4-0-0-1 in their last five home games, and are starting to turn around what was becoming a disappointing winter.
Rochester next plays tomorrow night against the fourth place Binghamton Senators at the Blue Cross Arena, and then once more on New Year’s Eve afternoon before receiving some well-deserved rest until 2013.