After a week off the Amerks took some time to get their game going and finished with a 2-1 win on the road in Springfield. Kevin Porter and Andrew Oglevie scored the goals and Andrew Hammond finished with 20 saves in the first road game of the season.

Tage Thompson was dominant again and was a leader offensively. Andrew Oglevie was another bright spot showing off his scoring capabilities.

First Period

A pretty uneventful period until the last 11 seconds when Springfield scored. Rochester had a 13-6 advantage in shots but few would be considered high quality scoring chances.

Brandon Hickey was in the penalty box for a cross checking penalty when Sebastian Repo scored with 11 seconds to go in the period. Repo took the puck down the side, around Nelson, in front of Hammond, ignored by Bryson, and scored.

The defensive breakdown is obvious when you watch the play unfold.

Second Period

A better period than the first resulted in better scoring chances and a goal as well. It was the Tage Thompson show creating all of the scoring opportunities.

Kevin Porter scored his first goal of the season at 12:27 of the second period on the power play. Zach Redmond (third assist of the season) started the play up ice and Thompson setup Porter for the one timer with a pass from the goal line.

Rochester had four power play chances in the second period and this was the only one they scored on. The first chance of the period they didn’t record any shots.

That was the 100th point as an Amerk for Zach Redmond and it was also his 200th point in the American League.

Thompson had two other great scoring chances in the period. The first he wasn’t able to slip it through the pads and the second was just barely saved by a Springfield player from crossing the goal line.

Defensively the team has played well through 40 minutes but creating offensive pressure on any line without Thompson has been a challenge.

Third Period

The game improved as it progressed and that’s what you want. The team played better creating more chances in the third period and took control of the pace of the game.

Andrew Oglevie scored his second in as many games when Jacob Bryson sent him down ice for the odd man rush with Kevin Porter. Oglevie took the shot and buried it. That was also the first professional point for defenseman Jacob Bryson.

Rochester was firing as many shots as they could and played a strong defensive game in which Andrew Hammond finished with 20 saves.

Earlier in the period there was a two on none break for CJ Smith and Curtis Lazar but Chris Driedger was able to get a blocker on the puck.

Here’s the final look at shot locations in the third period.

Final thoughts

The team played a great defensive game and limited high quality chances for Springfield. The team had a lot of shots and won the game in regulation which is what counts after 60 minutes. Offensive chemistry will continue to grow and there’s no reason to raise any concerns after only two games.

It was the Tage Thompson show for the second game in a row. He setup Kevin Porter for the first goal of the game and was dominant all over the ice.

Andrew Oglevie is a name we didn’t get to hear enough of because of injuries last season but after two games we’re seeing what he may be capable of.

The power play finished 1/6 and penalty kill was 1/5.

The next game is Saturday night in Providence before playing against Hartford Saturday afternoon.

Starting Lines:

Elie, Asplund, Thompson
CJ, Dea, Lazar
Wilson, Porter, Oglevie
Burton, Malone, Cornel

Bryson, Redmond
MacWilliam, Borgen
Hickey, Nelson

Hammond

Final Box Score:

Rochester Americans 2 at Springfield Thunderbirds 1 – Status: Final
Friday, October 11, 2019 – MassMutual Center

Rochester 0 1 1 – 2
Springfield 1 0 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Springfield, Repo 1 (Tippett, Heponiemi), 19:49 (PP). Penalties-C. Smith Roc (slashing), 6:58; Prow Spr (interference), 7:39; Hickey Roc (cross-checking), 18:39.

2nd Period-2, Rochester, Porter 1 (Thompson, Redmond), 12:27 (PP). Penalties-Dea Roc (high-sticking), 0:55; Tippett Spr (hooking), 5:56; Mangene Spr (slashing), 10:57; Repo Spr (interference), 14:00; Marcinew Spr (slashing), 18:51.

3rd Period-3, Rochester, Oglevie 2 (Bryson), 11:07. Penalties-Bryson Roc (hooking), 4:51; Hickey Roc (roughing), 9:29; Keeper Spr (roughing), 9:29; Rockwood Spr (tripping), 11:49; Borgen Roc (interference), 16:54.

Shots on Goal-Rochester 13-9-18-40. Springfield 6-10-5-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Rochester 1 / 6; Springfield 1 / 5.
Goalies-Rochester, Hammond 2-0-0 (21 shots-20 saves). Springfield, Driedger 1-2-0 (40 shots-38 saves).
A-6,042
Referees-Chris Brown (86), Guillaume Labonte (35).
Linesmen-Kyle Flemington (55), Kyle Richetelle (47).