The Rochester Americans defeated the Toronto Marlies in overtime on Wednesday night by the final score of 5-4. Randal Gelech scored the game winning goal at 1:53 in overtime, assisted by Stefan Meyer. Due to other commitments (sons hockey practice), I didn’t get the chance to watch or listen to the game, so here’s the recap from Amerks.com:
Rochester, April 8… The eighth and final meeting between the Rochester Americans and the Toronto Marlies proved to be a battle as the Amerks came out on top of and back-and-fourth game in overtime. The Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate out-shot the Amerks all game long (31-18), but the successes were in the Rochester’s favor with the game-winner coming from Randall Gelech.
The battle began early in the first with both teams scoring within the first eight minutes of play. Toronto took first blood with Tim Stapleton picking up his 25th goal on the season after a pass from teammate Jiri Tlusty.
Rochester answered back on a goal from Kenndal McArdle, his 12th this season. McArdle was assisted by Keaton Ellerby and Michal Repik.
Amerks scored again with four minutes left in the first period as Ellerby (0+2) and fellow defenseman Matt Duffy connected with Karl Stewart at the net for the power play goal, putting Rochester up by one going into the first intermission.
The Marlies were the first to score coming out of the locker room into the second period when Andre Deveaux netted one unassisted, tying the game 2-2.
The final period was an offensive combat as Toronto scored 54 seconds into the third. It was Stapleton again as he netted his 26th with assists from Jiri Tlusty and Bates Battaglia.
Down by one, Rochester strung two key goals together to put the Amerks ahead. Stewart tallied his second goal of the night, making him team leader in goals scored this season with 20. Center Drew Larman also contributed with a goal, his 9th on the season. Picking up the assists were Larman, Jordan Henry, and Janis Sprukts.
Toronto’s Stapleton made things exciting with one minute left, netting another goal for the hat trick, and sending the game into overtime. Stapleton ranks eighth in AHL point standings, totaling 76 on the season.
In the end though, it was the Amerks who came out on top. Gelech scored the crucial overtime goal to win the game. Stefan Meyer picked up his 22nd assist on the play.
The Amerks return home to The Blue Cross Arena on Friday, April 10th to host the Syracuse Crunch in their final home game of the season. The 7:35 p.m. matchup will be the 11th of 12 meetings and the first of back-to-back weekend tilts between the longtime I-90 rivals and can be heard live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.
