Peterka’s hat trick powers Amerks to overtime win

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA

UTICA – JJ Peterka admits the physicality of the Calder Cup playoffs took him a bit by surprise.

But as everyone learns, open ice that was prevalent in the regular season disappears with a championship on the line. Players that maybe didn’t play an in-your-face style now suddenly won’t pass up a chance to lower the boom.

Guess what? Four games into the postseason, Peterka kind of likes it. Maybe even thrives on it.

The rookie winger scored three goals, including the game-winner 89 seconds into overtime, as the Rochester Americans defeated the Utica Comets 4-3 on Saturday night to even the best-of-five North Division semifinals at 1-1.

The series now shifts to Rochester for Games 3 and 4. This evening’s 5:05 game is on the verge of a sellout. Game 4 will be at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, with Game 5, if necessary, back in Utica on Thursday night.

“This was a big, big game for us,” said Peterka, who has four of the Amerks seven goals in the series. “We can’t wait for all the fans and to play in front of them.”

Peterka had two assists in the 2-0 sweep of Belleville in the play-in round but has become ultra-dangerous with the puck on his stick in this series. His speed has confounded Comets defenders, and three of his six shots on goal eluded goalie Nico Daws on Saturday.

The difference: He said he need to understand what it takes to produce in a playoff setting.

“I think I just got more used to how tough the games are and how little space you have,” he said. “I think I can learn a lot from this. I have to try to fight through that and find a way to get space.”

His winning goal came off a fast break led by Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn, with Peterka pouncing on a loose puck in the slot, angling to the left and then firing a wrist between Daws’ legs.

“Any time you get the puck on that kid’s stick, it’s special,” Krebs said. “He’s unbelievable. He buzzes around the ice. He played a helluva game tonight.”

Peterka was no one-man show, despite cluttering the scoresheet. Mark Jankowski scored the first goal 20 seconds into the game; defenseman Peter Tischke challenged, then fought, Utica tough-guy winger Samuel Laberge; defensemen Jimmy Schuldt and Casey Fitzgerald delivered punishing hits; forwards Brett Murray and Ryan MacInnis were powerful on the wall; and young guns Quinn and Krebs were constant threats.

“Jack was outstanding tonight; he back-checked, he created scoring chances,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said. “Krebsie was an animal on the puck all night, and JJ was that but also then finished.”

The ability to finish is something Peterka has shown since December. A member of the American Hockey League’s All-Rookie Team after a 28-goal, 40-assist regular season, the 20-year-old Munich native has grown by leaps and bounds this season.

“JJ’s compete and his habits have risen dramatically,” Appert said, “and then you combine that with his talent and his fearlessness, he really rose to the occasion tonight.”

That’s something the Amerks continue to do in overtime. Of their four playoff games, three have gone to OT and they’ve won all three.

“It’s a love-hate relationship,” Krebs said. “I love when we win but I would rather not take it to overtime.”

As they did in the series opener on Tuesday, the Amerks vaulted to a 2-0 lead, this time in the first 10:44 of the game. In Game 1, they led 2-0 after just 6:03.

And like they did in Game 1, the Amerks allowed Utica to rally and tie the score. Only this time, the Amerks never lost the lead.

And what also was vastly different: They were much more willing to battle and respond with the body to Utica’s physical play.

“We needed a physical response tonight because we weren’t as physical as necessary in Game 1,” Appert said. “I thought we had it from everybody. I thought we were physical on the forecheck, the fight was important. We were more physically engaged tonight.”

Jankowski scored his second playoff goal on the game’s first shift. He arrived first on the puck behind the net and pushed it to Murray in the right corner.

Murray made the return pass and Jankowski methodically weaved to the net from the bottom of the right circle before firing a shot high past Daws.

Peterka’s second goal of the playoffs, and series, extended the lead to 2-0 and it was all his doing. Defenseman Michael Vukojevic was in perfect position to defend but couldn’t deal with Peterka’s speed.

Peterka sped by to the outside as he attacked on right wing and, from a nothing angle, somehow slipped a wrist shot between Daws and the near post.

The only penalty of the period resulted in a power-play goal by A.J. Greer at 15:25. Shakir Mukhamadullin passed from the center point to the faceoff dot in the right circle and Greer rifled a one-timer five-hole.

The teams traded goals in the second period. Robbie Russo tied it 2-2 at 3:28, darting past Jack Quinn from the right point to take a Joe Gambardella pass before firing a shot past Dell.

The Tischke fight with Laberge at 9:23 of the second period seemed to change momentum, and Peterka restored the Amerks lead at 12:12, taking advantage of an odd carom off the boards to score his second of the game.

Tischke brought a physical presence to the back end but also wasn’t afraid to join the rush when there were opportunities.

“He was outstanding,” Appert said. “The improvement that young man has made from the beginning of the year is remarkable.”

The scrap may have been the biggest contribution on Saturday.

“Our goal coming into the game was to play more physical,” Tischke said. “Some of their guys were running around a lot.”

Utica did tie the score 1:32 into the third period, after an Amerks icing and immediately off a faceoff. Ex-Amerk Brian Flynn redirected Russo’s shot from the center point.

But the Amerks didn’t panic.

“I thought we really stayed calm,” Appert said. “We continued to execute, continued to create chances. I think we handled those big moments well.”

Kevin’s 3 stars, brought to you by Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria

1. JJ Peterka, RW, Amerks: 3 goals and gimme the puck I’m going to score attitude.

2. Peter Tischke, D, Amerks: Provided a much-needed physical presence.

3. Robbie Russo, D, Comets: Scored Utica’s second goal, set up the third.