(Rochester, NY) – Rochester Americans captain Cal O’Reilly swept in a goal-mouth rebound just 1:55 into overtime to cap a 3-2 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins while putting the finishing touches on a perfect three-game weekend for the Amerks, who took all six points to climb back into playoff contention. With the win, Rochester improves 26-24-2-1 on the season.
William Carrier scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season in regulation while Phil Varone and Chad Ruhwedel each posted two assists to help Rochester to its third straight win. Tim Schaller and Matt Donovan also picked up assists while Nathan Lieuwen was strong in net for the Amerks, stopping 36 of 38 shots to improve to 6-3-1 in his last 10 starts.
The Penguins’ top line of Tom Kostopoulos (1+1), Carter Rowney (1+1) and Sahir Gill (0+2) combined for six points and Tristan Jarry made 27 saves in the loss.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was quick to strike first just 3:54 into the contest after a defensive zone breakdown led to Rowney’s 12th of the season. Kostopolous pounced on a turnover along the left half-wall and centered it to Gill, who faked the shot before moving it to Rowney stationed at the right of the crease. Rowney settled and fired it into the open side to give the visitors the early 1-0 lead they would carry into the intermission.
After a near-missed opportunity from Donovan in the closing minutes of the first, Rochester needed just 4:24 into the middle frame to even the score. Donovan atoned for hitting the crossbar earlier in the game when he wristed a seemingly innocent shot from the high point through traffic. Jarry made the initial stop, but Carrier was there to put back the rebound for his first of two on the night.
The Penguins answered back almost immediately with the line of Kostopoulos, Gill and Rowney again teaming up to reclaim the lead less than two minutes later. Gill attacked the zone with speed and swung a pass out to Kostopoulos at the left circle. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton captain caught the pass in stride, skated into the face-off dot and beat Lieuwen high on the short-side to put the Penguins back in front.
The Amerks, however, would battle back as Carrier netted his second of the game off a perfectly executed 3-on-2 rush with 5:10 remaining in the period. Coming off a three-goal effort Saturday against Syracuse, Schaller gained the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton zone and left the puck for Ruhwedel a step inside the blueline. Ruhwedel wasted no time in continuing the rush, sending a pass toward the low slot for Carrier to convert.
Rochester struggled with penalties late in the game, but smart defensive play allowed the Amerks to effectively kill off the Penguins power-plays, including a crucial 5-on-3.
With neither side finding the net in third period, the game headed to overtime, where the Amerks came out of the gate running. Ruhwedel had an excellent chance to close out overtime early, firing a one-timer that struck the crossbar.
Moments later, Varone took control of the puck and passed it to Ruhwedel, who fired another rocket on net. Jarry was quick to make the save, but the rebound dropped to the top of crease and O’Reilly tapped it home to give Rochester the 3-2 win.
The Amerks begin a brief two-game road trip on Thursday, Feb. 25 when they travel to Lake Erie for the first time this season to take on the Monsters. It will mark the first meeting between the former North Division rivals since Opening Night, when a hat trick from forward Matt Ellis helped Rochester kick off its 60th anniversary season with a 6-3 victory. Thursday’s 7:00 p.m. contest will be the third of four on the season between the two teams and will be carried live on Fox Sports 1280 Rochester.
Goal Scorers
RCH: Carrier (8, 9), O’Reilly (6)
WBS: Rowney (12), Kostopoulos (14)
Shots
RCH: 30
WBS: 38
Goaltenders
RCH: Lieuwen – W (36/38)
WBS: Jarry – L (27/30)
Special Teams
Amerks Power Play: 1-1
Amerks Penalty Kill: 3-3
