The Amerks erased two one-goal deficits and controlled the shot count, but Samuel Blais and Philippe Daoust converted in the shootout to give Belleville its first victory of the season.
The Belleville Senators survived a determined comeback and a 38-shot performance by the Rochester Americans, defeating the Amerks 3-2 in a shootout Sunday at CIBC Place.
Samuel Blais and Philippe Daoust scored on Belleville’s final two shootout attempts after Matthew Peca converted Rochester’s first. Senators goaltender Jonas Johansson stopped the Amerks’ next three shooters, denying Jason Polin, Conor Sheary and Aidan McDonough to secure the win.
Rochester earned a standings point by answering both Belleville goals in regulation. The Amerks finished their opening
weekend with three of a possible four points and a 1-0-0-1 record, while the Senators improved to 1-1-0-0. It was Rochester’s sixth-consecutive visit to Belleville in recent seasons with at least one standings point, a stretch in which the Amerks are 4-0-1-1.
The game was the first of six regular-season meetings between the North Division opponents. It also came during the opening weekend of the American Hockey League’s 91st season.
Amerks answer twice but cannot finish the comeback
Phil Tomasino opened the scoring for Belleville at 5:02 of the first period, taking assists from Blais and Ryan Suzuki. Rochester responded just 73 seconds later when Peca scored a power-play goal from Polin and Thomas Bordeleau.
The Senators went back in front at 13:45 of the second period. With Rochester defenseman Gavin McCarthy serving a cross-checking penalty, Blais scored on the power play off assists from Xavier Bourgault and Christian Kyrou.
Rochester tied it again 5:15 into the third. Trevor Kuntar scored from Red Savage and Vsevolod Komarov, completing the regulation scoring and ultimately ensuring the Amerks would leave Belleville with a point.
The teams combined for 14 power-play opportunities in a penalty-heavy game. Rochester went 1-for-8 with the man advantage, while Belleville finished 1-for-6.
Rochester’s shot advantage is not enough
Rochester outshot Belleville 38-26, including 14-6 in the opening period and 13-3 in the third. The Amerks also generated four shots during overtime while holding the Senators to two, but neither team scored before the shootout.
Johansson made 36 saves on 38 regulation and overtime shots. Matt Villalta stopped 23 of Belleville’s 25 regulation and overtime shots before Blais and Daoust beat him in the shootout.
Peca and Kuntar each scored for the first time this season after recording assists in Rochester’s 3-1 opening-night victory Friday, Oct. 2, over the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies. Bordeleau collected an assist for a second consecutive game, while Polin recorded his first point with Rochester.
Belleville’s victory followed a 5-2 season-opening loss to the Hamilton Hammers. The Senators were beginning their 10th AHL season, while Rochester opened its 71st.
The Amerks return home to face the Syracuse Crunch at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Blue Cross Arena. It will be the first of six meetings between Rochester and Syracuse this season.
Information gathered from theahl.com.
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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Amerks outshoot Belleville but can't finish comeback in shootout
