On the third leg of their three-game weekend, the Albany Devils were looking to start a new winning streak against the Rochester Americans. Entering the contest with a 4-1 season series advantage on the Amerks, the A-Devils had to be feeling confident. Especially with John Quenneville back in tow from the New Jersey Devils.
Yet, the Americans came in playing spirited hockey, winning four of their past five games, including a 5-2 victory Friday against the Utica Comets. The Amerks played the role of spoiler in a 2-1 victory against their Empire State rival in Albany.
Going only 1-for-5 on the power play, the A-Devils will have to hope reinforcements continue to trickle down in the way of Blake Coleman, Miles Wood, Joseph Blandisi and Steve Santini. Especially with their next contest coming against yet another Empire State and North Division rival in the second place Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday night.
First Period
In the opening frame, Quenneville paid quick dividends for the A-Devils. Spinning around two Amerks defensemen, the All-Star rookie beat Jonas Johansson with a shot beneath the crossbar. Quenneville’s tally on the power play was his 13th of the campaign and came at the 5:05 mark of the period. Carter Camper chipped in with the primary assist and Jacob MacDonald’s secondary helper was his fourth in two games.
.@jaquinder88 quickly finds the net in his return to the @AlbanyDevils #RCHvsALB pic.twitter.com/4U1PjgGIti
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 2, 2017
Later in the frame, a former A-Devils defenseman knotted it up. From the left circle, Paul Geiger blasted the puck high and by Mackenzie Blackwood. Geiger’s third marker of the season and second against his former club came 14:32 into the period and was assisted by former Union College captain Mat Bodie.
Second Period
Early in the second, the Amerks staked their claim on their first lead, a lead they would not relinquish. On the power play, Derek Grant redirected a centering pass from Cole Schneider at 3:14 into the stanza. The goal was the eighth for the Amerks center. Bodie received credit on the secondary helper, his second of the contest.
Third Period
During the final frame, the Devils out-shot the Americans 7-5 (and 28-17 in the game). Yet, it was quality over quantity in the end. Even with an extra attacker, an empty net and a valiant try by Camper in the waning seconds, the Devils couldn’t convert on the equalizer.
The loss, coupled with a 3-2 shootout victory by the Utica Comets at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, moved the A-Devils into a fourth-place tie in the North Division, sporting a .536 win percentage.
RECAP | #Amerks claim their fifth win in six games after coming out on top with a 2-1 win over @AlbanyDevils. –> https://t.co/Q5ppwtQWy3 pic.twitter.com/cEpHsiII4M
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 2, 2017
For the Amerks, it was their fifth win in their past six contests.
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
ALB — John Quenneville (13) assisted by Carter Camper (24) and Jacob MacDonald (12) (PP)
RCH — Paul Geiger (3) assisted by Mat Bodie (28)
SECOND PERIOD
RCH — Derek Grant (8) assisted by Cole Schneider (36) and Mat Bodie (29) (PP)
THIRD PERIOD
No goals scored
THW Three Stars
First: Derek Grant
Second: John Quenneville
Third: Mackenzie Blackwood
