After tying the Syracuse Crunch (24-21-3-5) twice during Saturday’s contest at Upstate Medical University Arena to force overtime, the Rochester Americans (28-17-2-4) scored a pair of goals in the shootout to end a four-game losing skid and come out on top with a 4-3 shootout win.
The victory helps the Amerks improve to 6-2-0-0 this season against the Crunch while also giving them a 12-6-1-1 record in the last 20 meetings dating back to the 2017-18 campaign. More importantly, Rochester reclaims second place in the AHL’s North Division standings ahead of Sunday’s matinee with the Utica Comets.
Brett Murray opened the scoring for Rochester, which has tallied a power-play goal in 16 of the last 30 games against Syracuse, while Andrew MacWilliam and C.J. Smith found the back of the net in regulation. Andrew Oglevie scored in the opening round of the shootout while Casey Mittelstadt sealed the win as he added the dagger in the third round. Rookie goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2-3-1) made 20 saves, including a pair in the skills competition, to earn his second win of the season. Jean-Sebastien Dea appeared in his 400th professional game while Taylor Leier celebrated his 26th birthday.
WE LOVE TO SEE IT ?#UnitedWeROC pic.twitter.com/cXL5FgxAMG
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) February 16, 2020
We earn a point. #ROCvsSYR
?: https://t.co/FCY940JNAs pic.twitter.com/2yRJEZP16H
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) February 16, 2020
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