(Rochester, NY) – The Rochester Americans closed out their three-game weekend on the losing end of a 5-2 decision to the Grand Rapids Griffins Sunday at The Blue Cross Arena. The loss drops the Amerks to 33-34-2-1 on the season.
Cole Schneider became the second Amerk this season to join the 20-goal club while reaching the mark for the third straight year, and Alex Guptill added his third of the season late in the third period to round out the scoring for Rochester. Andrey Makarov earned his second straight start in net, making 33 saves on 37 attempts.
Zack Nastasiuk paced the Griffins with a three-point (2+1) night, while Louis-Marc Aubry (1+1), Andy Miele (0+2) and Brian Lashoff (0+2) each contributed two points in the win as Grand Rapids locked up a playoff spot for the fourth straight year. Mitch Callahan and Daniel Cleary also scored, while Tom McCollum grabbed his second consecutive win over Rochester with 30 saves on 32 shots against.
With both teams playing their third games in as many nights, scoring chances seemed to be at a minimum for either side during the first period despite the Amerks firing two shots for every one by the Griffins. Despite several big saves by McCollum throughout the opening frame, Rochester’s efforts would eventually be rewarded with 36 seconds remaining when Schneider tipped in a shot from Bailey to give the Amerks a 1-0 lead. After Brady Austin missed high and wide of the Grand Rapids net, the puck looped around the end boards until it was collected by Bailey at the right half-wall. Bailey threw a second opportunity on net that deflected off the stick of Schneider and in, sending the Amerks into the break with the advantage for the second straight night.
The Griffins, who found themselves in a similar situation against the Amerks on Friday, once again took over in the second period, scoring twice in 4:48 to go up 2-1. Nastasiuk got things going at 9:27 when he batted in his own rebound out of midair after Makarov made the initial save off the fast break started by Miele. Callahan gave Grand Rapids the lead less than five minutes later on the power-play when Martin Frk forced a pass into the low slot that was redirected inside the right post for his 18th of the season.
Grand Rapids upped its lead to a pair with two more goals early in the third. Aubry snuck a backhander through Makarov’s five-hole at 7:16 and Cleary provided some insurance after hitting the empty net with 2:39 remaining to make it a 4-1 game.
Nastasiuk added his second of the night just 38 seconds later before Guptill swept in a Justin Kea rebound at 18:22.
The Amerks continue their three-game homestand on Friday, Apr. 8 as the Binghamton Senators journey north to Rochester for one final go-around at The Blue Cross Arena. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will be the 10th and final meeting between the North Division rivals this season and will be carried live on FOX Sports 1280 Rochester.
Goal Scorers
RCH: Schneider (20), Guptill (3)
GR: Nastasiuk (2, 3), Callahan (18), Aubry (12), Cleary (3)
Shots
RCH: 32
GR: 38
Goaltenders
RCH: Makarov – L (33/37)
GR: McCollum – W (30/32)
Special Teams
Amerks Power Play: 0-3
Amerks Penalty Kill: 2-3
