The Rochester Americans gave up three unanswered goals in the third period Friday, losing 3-1 to the Laval Rocket at Blue Cross Arena for their second straight defeat.
Vsevolod Komarov scored Rochester’s only goal, and Matt Villalta made 29 saves, according to the Amerks’ game recap. The loss ended a three-game home winning streak and dropped Rochester to 7-6-0-1.
Laval takes control in the third
Rochester carried a 1-0 lead into the third period before Jared Davidson capitalized on a turnover to tie the game at 6:08. Sam Poulin put Laval ahead with a power-play goal at 11:14, then added an empty-net goal in the closing minutes.
The Rocket have won seven consecutive meetings with Rochester dating to last season, including four straight in Rochester. Laval improved to 7-1-0-0 on the road this season.
Komarov’s second-period goal was his first of the season and his first since March 22 of last season. It gave the defenseman seven career goals in 136 appearances for Rochester.
Carson Meyer, returning after missing three games with an injury, and Riley Fiddler-Schultz assisted on the goal. Fiddler-Schultz has two goals and two assists over his last five games, dating to Oct. 30. All seven of his points this season — four goals and three assists in 14 games — have come at home.
Goaltenders keep scoring down
Villalta stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced after keeping Laval scoreless through two periods. Rocket goalie Kevin Mandolese finished with 25 saves and assisted on Poulin’s empty-net goal.
Mandolese is 5-0-1 with one shutout through six appearances in his first season with Laval. He has a 1.83 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, allowing two or fewer goals in five of those games.
The teams finish their two-game set Saturday, Nov. 14, at Blue Cross Arena on Military Salute Night. The rematch will air on WGR Rochester at 95.7 FM and 950 AM and stream on AHLTV on FloHockey.
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