By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Before he skates onto the Olympic stage in South Korea next weekend, Brian Gionta played a little Rochester Americans hockey — Hollywood style — on Friday night.
Billed long ago as Hometown Heroes Night, this was a movie script game to be sure. Gionta’s cameo appearance merely accentuated the promotion which honored local members of law enforcement, fire fighters and military personnel.
A crowd of 9,836 fans jammed into a toasty War Memorial on this frigid mid-winter Friday, cheering for the Amerks. They were rooting even louder for Gionta, unleashing an impromptu “USA! USA!” chant or two along the way. It was the largest crowd for an Amerks game in downtown Rochester since April 17, 2015 (10,641).
Many fans, of course, wore Amerks sweaters. Many others wore Gionta sweaters. The Gionta 14 he wore for seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils. The Gionta 21 he wore for five years with the Montreal Canadiens. The Gionta 12 he donned the previous three seasons with the Buffalo Sabres.
“I knew it was going to be a special night,” Gionta admitted afterward. “I just wish there had been a little better outcome.”
Indeed, the 4-2 loss to the Toronto Marlies derailed the Amerks (25-11-5-5) drive toward the top spot in the AHL’s North Division. They now trail by seven points, with the Marlies (33-11-0-1) once again stamping themselves as the class of the Eastern Conference.
“They’re a good hockey team,” Amerks captain Kevin Porter said. “We’re right there with them but we’re just making mistakes that are costing us.”
The Amerks could have used the victory; losing to the Marlies is getting real old for them. Gionta certainly did his part to help them win in his final — make that only — tune-up before the PyeongChang Winter Games. He’ll be Captain America for the Americans team.
On Friday night he displayed the speed he’s always had. He was on the puck. He showed that veteran guile in one-on-one battles. He gave Marlies goalie Garret Sparks fits on occasion with a net-front presence.
And Gionta scored a breakaway goal in the second period that sent the YouTube channel of the brain into search mode for the breakaway goals he scored on NHL ice for the Devils and Canadiens and Sabres.
SOUND FULL. Now hook it to my veins. That moment Olympic captain @Giostyle21 sent nearly 10,000 hometown fans into a frenzy, chanting “USA, USA”. @AmerksHockey @usahockey pic.twitter.com/07TNREbvoR
— Toby Motyka (@TobyMotyka) February 3, 2018
For a guy who has only been practicing with the Amerks since October, whose only games of the season came during a weekend in November in Germany with the basic design of the U.S. Olympic team’s roster, the 39-year-old Greece native looked more than ready to play.
“I’ve felt good all along,” he said. “If I didn’t get a game in, I would have been fine. But to be able to play was even better.”
The parent Sabres gave Gionta the chance to play for the Amerks out of courtesy and as a thank-you. They want to see him and Team USA do well in the Olympics.
But they also wanted to make sure he knew they appreciated all the little things he has done as a practice player.
“I don’t know if we’d be in this position if it weren’t for him,” Amerks coach Chris Taylor said. “He brings knowledge, he brings how to be a pro.
“For me, he’s been huge and this organization acknowledges what he’s done for us, for the young players, for the coaching staff, for the training staff, for everyone. We’re so fortunate to have him.”
Gionta, in return, said his time with the Amerks has been invaluable for his Olympic preparation.
“What these guys have done for me this year means a lot,” Gionta said.
His breakaway goal came as he sped down the right wing. Porter had the puck come up the left wing at about the Amerks blue line and made the diagonal pass through the neutral zone.
Gionta hit high gear, left defenseman Martin Marincin in his wake, sliced through the deep slot and, with Sparks extended to the max, confidently flicked a backhander into the net.
Talk about mid-season patience.
“It’s being old and having veteran status,” Gionta joked.
The crowd roared when the puck entered the net, and in an instant the “USA! USA” chant broke out.
“It sends chills up your back when something like that happens,” Gionta said. “The crowd was great tonight.”
The goal at 12:26 of the second period gave the Amerks a 2-1 lead, but the Marlies tied it just 41 seconds later and they won it on Miro Aaltonen’s goal with 4:33 to play.
It was very likely the only game Gionta will play for the Amerks. At least the grand plan doesn’t have him coming back after the Olympics.
Goal No. 1 following PyeongChang is to sign with a Stanley Cup contender for the remainder of the season. He’ll come relatively cheap, and unlike contenders that must add talent through deals at the trade deadline, Gionta would come for only the price of a contract. And he’s fresh. There is no wear-and-tear of a long season on his body.
But if there isn’t an NHL offer? Would he come back to wear the red, white and blue of the Amerks after wearing the red, white and blue of America?
“I’ve left all my options open,” he said.
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