The game started in the right direction and had the potential for some highlight moments but it went in the opposite direction. Binghamton took control after the first period even while down on the scoreboard and continued to push forward. They scored once in the first minute of the third period and again in the final minute to force overtime and win in the shootout.

Tage Thompson scored a highlight reel worthy goal, Sean Malone extended his point streak to six games, Tyler Randell delivered a beatdown to an opponent, and Jonas Johansson gave the team an opportunity to win. Those four moments could’ve been a great story line but could’ve isn’t good enough.

“They kind of weathered the storm in the first and then came out hard in the second and third,” Kevin Porter said after the game. “We kind of got off our game plan a little bit turning pucks over and they took advantage of that.”

“As we got that 2-0 lead we got a little too comfortable and started trying to force a little too many plays in the neutral zone and that feeds their offense,” Tage Thompson said after the loss. “We just have to make sure we play the way we started for a full 60. They’re a good team and when you don’t play a full 60 good teams are going to do that.”

Good teams don’t play six out of 13 games into overtime. Good teams don’t give up leads in the third period. Good teams have a power play that’s over 10%. The Rochester Americans ended the night tied for first place in the North Division with 17 points but it was an ugly loss. The failing power play along with giving up third period goals is a continuing trend early in the season. The Amerks are getting by but are they a good team? The glass has certainly appeared to be draining instead of filling up.

Eric Cornel gave the Amerks a 1-0 lead just 2:14 into the first period after a shot by Jacob Bryson bounced off a couple of players, off of him, and into the net. That was the first goal of the season for Cornel. Assists to Jacob Bryson and Will Borgen.

Curtis Lazar scored his fourth of the season at 13:37 of the first period to give the Amerks a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. “Mugsy made a nice play to get the puck on net and I just kind of tracked it and whacked it in,” Lazar said when asked about his goal. “We’ll take it, again, we could’ve used a couple more.”

The assist extended the point streak for Malone to six games with six points (3G+3A).

Just over halfway through the second period Binghamton had a five on three power play and capitalized with a goal. Joey Anderson scored just 25 seconds into it. There was a one sided fight between Tyler Randell and Ludvig Larsson but Jarrett Burton also had an interference penalty in the sequence of events.

The power play goal was simple. Cycle the puck, create an opening, and score.

Zero for six on the Power Play.

This is again where Rochester struggled and continues to struggle thirteen games into the season. On home ice the power play is 3.1% and overall it’s at 9.2%. That’s the worst home ice power play in the league and 29th overall.

Tage Thompson talked about the power play saying, “It’s frustrating right now but I think we’re getting good chances, good looks. Stay positive with the way it’s going right now but we just need to find a way to get one. I think once we get one more will start to come and that confidence will start to come.”

“We were showing some really good progress I thought as far as execution and creating scoring chances,” Gord Dineen said referencing to the special teams leading up to Friday. “Tonight the execution wasn’t there right from the first power play. I thought our passing was off, timing wasn’t good, started forcing it. When we did have shot opportunities we weren’t taking them so that was disappointing to take a step back after I thought we took some steps forward.”

Rochester has outscored teams 34-18 playing five on five hockey but has been miserable on the power play and it continues to cost them in lost opportunities.

It only took 45 seconds into the third period for Binghamton to tie the game up at two. Brett Seney outworked Will Borgen down the middle of the ice and was able to beat Johansson from one knee.

Tage Thompson scored a highlight worthy goal at 3:03 of the third period to put the Amerks up 3-2 but it wasn’t going to be enough.

With a 3-2 lead in the second half of the third period the Amerks had two power play chances that they wouldn’t score on.

Binghamton pulled Gilles Senn for the extra skater and Brett Seney scored with 45.6 seconds left to tie the game and send it to overtime. That was a goal in the first minute for Seney and then the last minute for Seney. Curtis Lazar mentioned after the game that he gave up too much space on the play.

In 13 games played this was the sixth game for Rochester to go into overtime. The league record for overtime games is 29 that the Amerks tied in the 2017/2018 season. Getting there with 63 games left to be played.

Tage Thompson had the best chance in overtime but goalie Gilles Senn was able to quickly turn around and put his glove on a puck slowly inching towards the goal line.

Each team had four attempts in the shootout and Ben Street was the only person to score. The chances by Thompson, Lazar, Dea, and Oglevie weren’t anything worth mentioning.

****

The injured list grows by one

Jarrett Burton took a hit along the boards late in the second period and was immediately hunched down on two knees. He started sliding towards the bench before stopping and then had to be helped off by teammates.

When asked after the game Dineen said, “Lower body and he got pretty banged up. I didn’t talk to anyone but he wasn’t coming back.” When asked if it’s long term he said, “Could be, yes. Just based on his inability to come back tonight.”

At the end of Friday night the Amerks are down to only 11 healthy forwards. The only healthy scratch Friday night was Nathan Paetsch.

Here’s what the injured list was going into Friday night.

• CJ Smith – lower body – 4-6 weeks – within the first three minutes of the game vs Utica he took a hit along the boards and had to be helped off of the ice. If you want to see the play you can see the tweet here.
• Zach Redmond – lower body – week to week – didn’t play after the first period in Utica 11/2 and hasn’t practiced this week.
• Remi Elie – upper body – day to day –  played 11/1 and 11/2 but didn’t practice all week. Dineen stated it’s maintenance to make sure he’s better for the long term.
• Dalton Smith – upper body – day to day – Day to day status. Left practice early 10/24.
• Taylor Leier – shoulder – Expected back mid season after off season shoulder surgery. Started skating with the team (no contact) on 11/5.

Rochester doesn’t play again until Wednesday which should hopefully be team for some healing. Unfortunately Vladimir Sobotka was injured in the Sabres game Friday which could result in a call up.