By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Other than the final result, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert had few complaints after Saturday evening’s 4-2 loss to the Utica Comets.
Fabian Zetterlund scored three goals – including the game-breaker on a second-period power play – as the Comets extended their lead over the Amerks in the American Hockey League’s North Division to eight points (53-45).
“I thought we outplayed them pretty significantly,” Appert said. “We had the puck most of the game, we outshot them and out-chanced them considerably, considering the power plays were 5-1 in their favor; surprised the power plays were 5-1 in their favor considering how much we had the puck.”
Those power plays were the difference, too. Zetterlund, playing the AHL version of Alex Ovechkin, rocketed home two one-timers from the top of the left circle, the first tying the score 1-1 at 17:38 of the first period and the second breaking a 2-2 tie at 12:27 of the second.
The Amerks did have chances, they just weren’t as efficient as Zetterlund, who finished with a game-high eight shots on goal, the last into an empty net with 38 seconds to play.
Brett Murray fired high on a first period breakaway and JJ Peterka failed to score on three Grade-A chances.
“Other than finishing on a few rebound chances and shooting wide a couple times, I thought we were very good,” Appert said.
Brandon Biro and Michael Mersch scored the Amerks goals. For Mersch, the goal was his team-leading 19th, second-most in the AHL heading into Saturday night’s action. He also was in a fifth-place tie in AHL scoring with 38 points.
Biro, meanwhile, has 2 goals, 8 assists and 10 points in his past eight games, and 6-13-19 in his past 17 games. Undrafted, he signed an NHL free-agent contract with the parent Buffalo Sabres in March of 2020 after a four-year career at Penn State University.
“I would say this has been his normal game all year,” Appert said. “The only thing that maybe slowed it was that he missed a chunk of training camp with a minor injury at the start of the season. His play has been extremely strong for us, not only offensively but defensively on the penalty kill as well.”
A point-a-game player in his junior and senior seasons at Penn State, Biro is now living up to his own expectations with the Amerks.
“It’s kind of how you envision the season going,” he said. “To be playing well right now, it’s fun to come to the rink.”
Not only did the Amerks lose the game, they also lost another player to injury. Forward Ryan MacInnis limped to the bench and down the runway to the dressing room in the game’s 11th minute.
While killing a penalty, MacInnis toppled awkwardly over fallen Nolan Foote and appeared to end up with his right leg tangled under the Utica winger.
“You lose one of your go-to guys when a lot of our go-to guys are out, so you certainly felt his loss tonight,” Appert said.
Appert didn’t have a diagnosis from the team’s medical staff but said MacInnis will miss time.
“It looked like he kind of twisted something,” Appert said. “It was an innocent play, just a freak play. He’s probably going to be out for a little bit. I don’t think it’s something that’s going to be an immediate return.”
MacInnis was the star of Friday’s 2-1 victory over Syracuse, scoring both goals. He had produced 9-7-16 in his previous 17 and has 11-10-21 in 32 games this season. He had never scored more than eight goals in his previous five AHL seasons and his career high in points is 30.
“It’s always tough to see somebody go off mid-game, hobbling off,” said Ethan Prow, who assisted on both goals and climbed into the top 10 among AHL defensemen.
Kevin,
Thanks for all the great articles!
Jim