Rookie forward Linus Weissbach delivered the game-tying goal with 1:47 remaining in regulation to force overtime, but the Rochester Americans (19-11-0-1) were unable to fully complete the comeback as they picked up a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Belleville Senators (14-15-0-0) in the first of back-to-back meetings between the two teams Friday at The Blue Cross Arena.
Along with Weissbach scoring his eighth of the slate, Patrick Polino, who signed a PTO earlier in the week, and veteran Michael Mersch notched their first and 17th tallies of the season, respectively. As Mersch snapped a six-game goal-scoring drought to begin the New Year, he remains on pace to reach the 20-goal mark for the fifth time in eight years and the first time since the 2018-19 season. Lukas Craggs, Dominic Franco, Jimmy Schuldt, Matej Pekar and Brandon Biro all logged an assist while Arttu Ruotsalainen was the lone Rochester skater to score in the shootout.
Goaltender Mat Robson (3-1-1) made 32 saves in his fifth appearance of the season for Rochester and second straight following Wednesday’s win over Utica. The 25-year old netminder stopped two of the four shots he faced in the skills competition after making six saves in the overtime period.
The two teams play again Saturday at The Blue Cross Arena. Game time is slated for a 5:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].