The Rochester Americans opened the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs with a wild overtime victory over the Belleville Senators on Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena.
Rochester trailed 3-0 going into the third period but stormed back to tie the game and force overtime. The Amerks scored with 3:06 remaining in the first overtime to complete the comeback and earn their first playoff win since 2014.
IT’S ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC!!!! pic.twitter.com/sYmY7CzDsB
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) May 5, 2022
Lukas Rousek, Jimmy Schuldt, and Casey Fitzgerald scored in the third period to tie it. Arttu Ruotsalainen scored the game-winner in overtime, redirecting a point shot from Josh Teves. JJ Peterka and Peyton Krebs each had two assists. Aaron Dell turned aside 24-of-27 shots.
Cole Reinhardt, Dillon Heatherington, and Rourke Chartier scored for Belleville while Filip Gustavsson stopped 28-of-32 shots.
Rochester finished 0-for-2 on the power play and a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Game 2 of their best-of-three North Division first-round series is set for Friday in Belleville. The puck will drop at 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].