By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Scott Wedgewood returned to the Rochester Americans’ starting lineup on Friday night and it’s a good thing.
The seventh-year veteran goaltender made a season-high 42 saves as the Amerks defeated the Cleveland Monsters 3-1 at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
Here’s your Friday night Amerks 6-pack as they improved to 17-7-2 to maintain first place in the AHL’s North Division:
1. Wedgewood was spectacular
The Monsters fired 14 shots in the first period, 11 in the second and 18 in the third. Only their 41st shot found the net, and that was on a power play and with Monsters goalie J-F Berube pulled for an extra attacker.
Among Wedgewood’s best stops: robbing Kevin Stenlund on a power play 1:40 into the second period, lunging right to left across the crease to block a Kole Sherwood shot toward an open side midway through the second period, making point-blank saves on a Sherwood rebound 4:17 into the third and then finally stonewalling Mark Letesu on a breakaway with 8:14 to play.
“He made a few really, really good saves and kept it a one-goal game,” winger Justin Bailey said. “He played an amazing game.”
2. Layoff concerned Wedgewood
Wedgewood’s last game was on Dec. 1. He was with the Amerks for the Dec. 5 game against Utica, but just-promoted Jonas Johansson got the start.
The next day, the parent Buffalo Sabres needed Wedgewood because Carter Hutton was banged up. Wedgewood was with the Sabres until Monday, but never played.
And even though he was returned to the Amerks on Tuesday, Wedgewood didn’t play Wednesday night, either. Coach Chris Taylor said that due to a lack of practice time during the recall to Buffalo, it made more sense to start Johansson.
Johnasson struggled mightily, allowing four goals on 10 shots before being pulled after 22 minutes and the Amerks lost 5-1.
Wedgewood was good to go on Friday, albeit a little concerned.
“To be honest I was a little nervous going in; I think it’s been two weeks tomorrow since I played,” he said. “So I had a couple days here to get in reps and I got through the first five minutes and the rest started rolling.”
3. A unique line combination, to be sure
Taylor didn’t really like what his forward lines were doing in the first period so he made mid-game alterations.
One of the new combos: left winger C.J. Smith, left winger Alex Nylander and right winger Justin Bailey.
“It was kind of weird being thrown together and then the first shift we had together we scored,” Smith said.
The goal at 2:39 of the second period broke the scoreless tie, with strong forechecking pressure by all three members of the line leading to a turnover by defenseman Blake Siebenaler.
Smith worked the puck to Bailey in front and, without anything to shoot at it, pushed it to Nylander for the goal, his seventh to go with 13 assists in 26 games.
But the most important play of all before the goal: Defenseman Jack Dougherty being able to take a big hit from Sherwood in order to make the long outlet pass from the Amerks zone.
4. Two assists for Bailey
Bailey also set up the game’s second goal, which didn’t come until just 2:51 remained in the third period. He passed from the right corner to the center point, and Brandon Hickey fired a low slap shot that was redirected by Smith.
The goal was Smith’s eighth to go with 13 assists in 26 games. Hickey was initially credited with the goal but it is expected to be changed.
5. Getting ahead was important
The Monsters (13-10-3) roster features plenty of experience with Nathan Gerbe, Zac Dalpe and Letestu.
“We knew that’s a good team that has a lot of veteran guys, guys that know how to win, that know how to play with the lead,” Bailey said.
The Amerks never let the Monsters get the lead, however.
6. Hunwick’s conditioning stint likely over
The veteran defenseman played his second game of a conditioning assignment and was strong, looking poised an in control throughout the game.
“He calmed us down a lot,” Taylor said.
NOTES: That goal-less drought Andrew MacWilliam thought he ended back on Nov. 5? It turns out he didn’t. Danny O’Regan tipped the MacWilliam point shot and, thus, the veteran defenseman has now gone 141 games without scoring.
Leave a Reply