ROCHESTER, N.Y. --- The Rochester Americans hosted the Cleveland Monsters at Blue Cross Arena, in hopes to increase their home win streak to 6-0-0-0. It wouldn't be the day, although it went to extra time, Rochester fell for the first time this season 6-5. Filip Cederqvist (2+1) scored his first career AHL goal and had a breakout game despite a late penalty that ultimately would cost Rochester the game. Aleksandr Kisakov (1+1) joined his line-mate in a multi point outing, the first points of his career.
The goalie room was in shambles, all falling ill to the flu, Malcolm Subban was first, then Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen fell ill the morning of the game. Michael Houser started in net, playing two full periods, posting 24 saves.
The Amerks got right to it in the first period, showing their ability to move the puck with ease in the offensive third and capitalizing with a goal from defender Chase Priskie in the opening minutes of the game. However, before they knew it, The Amerks were down two men in the box and looked to hold their lead with three men on the ice. They couldn't hold up and Cleveland found the back of the net.
After that goal from The Monsters, the passing abilities of the Americans continued to show through even more. making exceptional passes around the offensive third as well as fighting for, and gaining, possession back in the opponents half. They weren't able to convert their eye for the pass into an eye for goal over the rest of the period, instead the goalposts appeared to grow for the Amerks, knocking multiple off the post in a dominant effort for the lead through the last five minutes of the period. Despite Rochester's efforts, the period ended 1-1.
In the second, The Amerks came out just as quick as they did in the first, this time it was Filip Cederqvist notching his first career AHL goal, from the post, on the power play. At the 10:15 mark he tacked on another this time working himself in front of goal and sweeping the puck around the keeper to find the back of the net. Rochester's passing continued to show dominance but the goals were far and few between in even play.
Cleveland finally broke open their scoring for the period with just 3:24 left in the period. little did they know that would be the start of a three goal stretch over the next 1:06 going 2-1 in favor of The Monsters. The Amerks goal was scored by another young prospect, Aleksandr Kisakov, his first career AHL goal.
An interesting start came to the third period, as net minder Michael Houser was the third goalie to fall to illness. Beck Warm would come in net, after driving from Cincinnati the night of. Within his first minute on the ice, the Monsters were able to make a deflection on Warm's blindside and tied up the game. Rochester held on and still looked good on the pass but couldn't finish.
"Kulich could've had five goals tonight... The puck just didn't go in for him, it is what it is." -Head Coach Seth Appert
Finally it was a defenseman, Mitch Eliot, putting one in from the advertisements to give Rochester the lead with 10 minutes to go. The Amerks next job was to hold on, they almost did that. With 2:08 left Cederqvist made a major error, getting sent to the box for slashing and sending The Monsters to the power play. It only took a minute for Cleveland to find the back of the net.
From there things felt set in stone, the momentum riding with The Monsters, they ended regulation tied 5-5. Overtime was short, Rochester posted one defensive stop with a trio of Brandon Biro, Ethan Prow, and Riley Sheahan. They couldn't get it done in the offensive third and as Cleveland came back down the ice, their transition offense reigned supreme, Trey Fox-Wolanski notched his second of the night to move Cleveland to 7-5-0-0 and drop Rochester to 7-4-1-0.
Rochester will travel to Belleville tomorrow to meet the Senators. They will have to travel from Syracuse the night before so the fatigue of back to backs will be in full effect. Puck Drop at 7:05 p.m.
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