By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
For the first time in 43 days, the Rochester Americans are no longer officially in first place in the American Hockey League’s North Division.
The Amerks lost 1-0 on home ice to the Syracuse Crunch on Friday and now sit percentage points behind their Thruway rivals, with a rematch at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Saturday night.
The Amerks (29-16-3-2) and Crunch (30-15-2-1) both have 63 points, but Syracuse has played one fewer games and thus has a better points-earned percentage (.656 to .630).
Of great importance should teams finished tied in points at the end of the regular season: The Crunch own the ROW tiebreaker (regulation and overtime wins), 27-25.
Here’s your Big Ditch Brewing Amerks Six Pack from Friday:
1. The lone goal
It came fairly early, at 13:34 of the first period, when the Amerks forwards lost coverage and Andy Andreyoff ended up two-on-one with Alexander Volkov and scored on a shot from the left circle.
The Crunch also hit the cross bar twice (Carter Verhaeghe at 4:41, Ross Colton’s seconds later off the ensuing faceoff).
The Amerks only chance came 95 seconds into the period but Eric Cornel clanked his shot off the post with a mostly open net.
Afterward the Amerks lamented their slow start, something they’ve said far too often after home games this season.
2. Missed opportunities
The Amerks had a vast territorial edge over the final two periods and had plenty of scoring chances.
They ended up shut out for the second time this season because either Crunch goalie Connor Ingram made clutch saves or shots missed the net.
Danny O’Regan, Matt Tennyson, Scott Wilson and Will Borgen all were in prime scoring position but missed the net.
“When we have those opportunities, we have to hit the net,” coach Chris Taylor said.
3. Apparently he likes this place
The Amerks hadn’t been shut out at home since … Ingram turned the trick on April 11, 2018.
He made 38 saves that night. On Friday he stopped 32 shots.
His best save came 4:26 into the second period, when Victor Olofsson unleashed a one-timer from the right circle that Ingram snared with the glove.
4. Old-time hockey
There was plenty of hitting, which can’t always be said. But Amerks forwards Dalton Smith and Yannick Veilleux were intent on setting a tone.
“I thought they played havoc on their ‘D,’ ” Taylor said.
Amerks defenseman Andrew MacWilliam was also front-and-center when it came to physicality.
“He’s one of those guys I love putting out there,” Taylor said.
Said MacWilliam: “It’s no secret over the last couple years it’s been a big rivalry.”
His heavy, high check in open ice on Volkov eight seconds into the second period prompted Andreyoff, a guy who took on NHL heavyweights as a member of the Los Angeles Kings the past few seasons, to instigate a fight.
Late in the game, Gabriel Dumont, who is no stranger to on-the-edge play and intensity, chased the puck toward the corner with MacWilliam.
MacWilliam tumbled to the ice and went into the boards skates-first. He was shaken up — and angry — but did return.
“Initially I didn’t like it,” he said, “but it’s a hockey play. Things like that happen.”
Taylor said he didn’t have an issue with any of the hits in the game.
5. Critical rematch?
If the Crunch win again on Saturday in regulation, the Amerks will find themselves two points out of first, with Syracuse still having played one fewer game.
“It’s definitely a big game but I don’t know if it’s must win,” captain Kevin Porter said.
6. The ‘Reds’ zone
This was the type of game where the Amerks definitely missed Zach Redmond, who had scored a club-record 18 goals when he suffered a lower body injury on Jan. 23.
He has piled up the 18 goals because his shot is hard and accurate.
Taylor said Redmond may very well be ready to play next week, but not Saturday or in Sunday’s 3 p.m. home game against Binghamton.
Redmond already has missed nine games.
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