The Rochester Americans lit up the scoreboard on Wednesday night with four power play goals in a 6-1 win over the Abbotsford Heat to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Rochester could win the series with a win on Friday night. Ever since the game one loss last Thursday I don’t think anyone would have predicted the Amerks would be scoring goals like they are.
Well, David Shantz has been the starting goalie for the Heat so it’s not that far fetched.
Tyler Plante stopped 46 of 47 shots on Wednesday night.
The Amerks have outscored the Heat 18-6 since last Thursday and just about every player on the Amerks roster is producing points in this series. They’re playing the way a team should play in the playoffs. Ignoring game one, they’ve done a decent job not taking as many dumb penalties. They’ve scored big goals in the second period to build leads. They’ve had strong goaltending. They’ve played physical and proved that they could not be pushed around.
The chemistry that this team had back in October as they won game after game is back.
Here’s the scoring:
1. RCH Johnson, (1) (Garrison, Matthias), 8:49 (PP)
2. ABB Meyers, (1) (Backlund, Sutter), 4:14
2. RCH Henry, (3) (Johnson, York), 7:03 (PP)
2. RCH Henry, (4) (Matthias, Taffe), 8:21
2. RCH Garrison, (2) (Taylor, Taffe), 18:22 (PP)
2. RCH Repik, (1) (Dadonov, Brine), 18:50
3. RCH Taylor, (1) (Repik, Taffe), 4:43 (PP)
For a complete recap of the game check out Kevin’s live blog here. He’ll probably have a post up soon as well with post game thoughts and quotes.
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Rochester Americans 6 At Abbotsford Heat 1 – Status: Unofficial Final
Apr 21, 2010 – Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre
Rochester 1 4 1 – 6
Abbotsford 0 1 0 – 1
1st Period-1, Rochester, Johnson 1 (Garrison, Matthias), 8:49 (pp). Penalties-Repik Rch (boarding), 5:55; Backlund Abb (cross-checking), 7:01; Mink Rch (high-sticking), 17:35.
2nd Period-2, Abbotsford, Meyers 1 (Backlund, Sutter), 4:14. 3, Rochester, Henry 3 (Johnson, York), 7:03 (pp). 4, Rochester, Henry 4 (Matthias, Taffe), 8:21. 5, Rochester, Garrison 2 (Taylor, Taffe), 18:22 (pp). 6, Rochester, Repik 1 (Dadonov, Brine), 18:50. Penalties-Meyers Abb (hooking), 6:07; Wilson Rch (tripping), 9:31; Latendresse Abb (holding), 10:58; Henry Rch (tripping), 14:40; Pelech Abb (interference), 17:41.
3rd Period-7, Rochester, Taylor 1 (Repik, Taffe), 4:43 (pp). Penalties-Duco Rch (kneeing), 1:28; Watt Abb (interference), 3:37; Pelech Abb (cross-checking), 5:47; Roy Rch (holding), 13:17; MacIntyre Rch (fighting), 19:51; Watt Abb (fighting), 19:51.
Shots on Goal-Rochester 4-12-6-22. Abbotsford 23-12-12-47.
Power Play Opportunities-Rochester 4 of 6; Abbotsford 0 of 6.
Goalies-Rochester, Plante 2-0-0 (47 shots-46 saves). Abbotsford, Shantz 1-1-0 (22 shots-16 saves).
A-2,633
Referees-Frederic L’Ecuyer (48).
Linesmen-Trevor Boudreau (60), Trent Knorr (91).
They need to step on the throat of the Heat Friday. They need to not let off the gas at all. with the powerplay clicking they need to keep pressing with it. Looks like Hamilton is going to beat Manitoba which I believe actually helps us. In a series with Plante and Desjardins it will come down to powerplays. Neither goalie will give an inch. This is where York, Taffe, Johnson, Wilson and the like earn the vet pay they get. No doubt we can outscore Hamilton IF and it’s a big IF we can match them defensively. This team needs all the confidence and focus they can get moving to the next round. They are going to go from facing an ECHL calibre goalie to a possible NHL calibre goalie. If this team plays the way they did the first 25 games it will be a great epic series against what I feel is our biggest Hockey rival. Hope you don’t sue me for copywrite infringement but LETS GO AMERKS!!!!!