Jean-Sebastien Dea scored twice in regulation, including the game-tying tally midway through the third period, and netted the only goal in the shootout to lift the Rochester Americans (10-12-2-1) to a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Monsters (15-8-8-2) in the final meeting of the season between the two teams Saturday at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
onight’s matchup was the sixth and final meeting between the two teams this season with Rochester showing a 2-4-0-0 record against the Monsters, including a 2-1-0-0 mark in Cleveland. Rochester holds a record of 31-11-4-4 over Cleveland since the start of the 2011-12 campaign and has earned a point in nine of the last 12 games, which includes all seven meetings last season.
In his first game back with Rochester since April 9, Dea (2+0) notched his fifth and sixth goals of the season for his fourth multi-point effort of the year before adding the shootout-clinching goal. Rookie forward Patrick Polino (1+0) notched his second professional marker, while defenseman Oskari Laaksonen (0+2) collected his third multi-point game of the season. Additionally, forwards Brandon Hawkins (0+1), Brendan Warren (0+1) and Matej Pekar (0+1) all added assists as Rochester picked up its second straight win on the road.
In his third start of the season, rookie goaltender Billy Christopoulos (1-1-0) earned his first American Hockey League win as he stopped 38 saves on 41 shots he faced through regulation and overtime. Additionally, Christopoulos was clean through three shots faced in the shootout.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].