By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Not everything in the game of hockey is predictable with the Rochester Americans.
Take lineup construction and who plays where. It’s not often a player who has spent most of the season in the ECHL ends up playing on a line with a team’s two All-Star forwards.
But such was the case on Wednesday night. Matteo Costantini was slotted on a line with Isak Rosen and Konsta Helenius, and then in the third period showed why he was given the prime-time spot by scoring the tying goal in what ended up being a 3-2 shootout loss to the Charlotte Checkers.
Which brings us to the things with the Amerks that are quite predictable. Like when overtime ends in a tie and they need a shootout to determine a winner. They don’t score. Ever.
That was again proven on Wednesday, when Helenius, Jack Rathbone and Zac Jones were all stopped by Checkers goalie Cooper Black. For those keeping score, that’s three shootouts this season, 14 attempts, 14 failures and three losses.
Meanwhile at the other end, Jack Studnicka scored on Charlotte’s second attempt against Devon Levi with a deadly top-shelf snipe, enabling the Checkers (28-16-3-0) to leave Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial with the victory.
But considering the Amerks (24-17-4-3) trailed 2-0 after 39 minutes, earning a point provided some consolation.
“That’s as good of a team as you’re going to see in our league,” Amerks coach Michael Leone said. “You look at the nine (forwards) that they’re rolling out there, (Noah) Gregor, (Jack) Studnicka, these guys are NHL players.
“It’s good to see where we’re at. I don’t want to say statement game, but it was really good to see where our group is and that we can play with any team in the league.”
Costantini helped them get the point by scoring his second AHL goal in his 10th game of the season, and fourth since a Feb. 2 recall from ECHL Jacksonville.
Rosen and Helenius sprinted away on a fast-break rush, with Rosen’s passing sending Helenius down the right of the slot two-on-one with Costantini. Helenius made the pass across and the rookie was able to roof an in-tight shot high past the 6-foot-8 Black just 2:37 into the third period.
“I knew if I called for it, Hele would somehow get it to me,” said Costantini, who has produced 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points in 31 games with Jacksonville.
What he definitely didn’t know on the flight up from Florida two weeks ago: that he’d be playing on the Amerks top line, a spot that had been occupied by Anton Wahlberg.
But Leone isn’t locked into customary procedures.
“I’m big on putting kids in positions to where I think they can be successful,” Leone said. “He has the ability to play up and down the lineup and we just thought it was an opportunity to use his speed. Matteo made a big-time play to get us to a tie game.”
The Checkers had opened a 2-0 lead with a goal in each the first and second period. Both were the result of keeps-ins at the blue line, which then led to quick-developing plays down low before Amerks defenders could reverse direction.
MacKenze Entwistle gave the Checkers a 1-0 lead at 18:15 of the first period. Riese Gaber held the puck in at the right point and played down low to Entwistle, who darted from the right circle across the slot before tucking it past Levi’s right leg.
“We’re trying to get the puck out, they sneak a couple guys behind us and they’re two-on-one at the net front,” Leone said.
Nate Smith’s goal 5:02 into the second period pushed the lead to 2-0. Michael Benning held the puck in at the right point and, with the Amerks heading out of the zone, the puck quickly ended up down low and Smith had a free path to the net.
“Same thing: we don’t get the puck out and they’ve got the guy behind us,” Leone said.
Jake Leschychyn’s goal with 11.8 seconds remaining in the second period sliced the deficit to 2-1. Black stopped Zach Metsa’s wrister from the right point but the rebound caromed straight out into the slot and Leschychyn scored on the put-back.
The goal was his first in 10 games and just his second in the past 21 games.
“I feel like I’ve been playing well away from the puck so it’s definitely nice to get rewarded,” he said.
Levi’s play in overtime was the only reason the game ended up in a shootout. The Checkers outshot the Amerks 5-0 and had three Grade-A chances to win it, they just couldn’t solve Levi.
Home woes: Since the start of December, the Amerks have won just three of 13 home games (3-7-1-2) while winning seven of 12 road games (7-2-2-1).
Our lineup will never be better now and still we can’t win at home; coach makes curious choices in shootouts and who cares if we can ‘play with’ but not beat the good teams in late February.
Whatever is going on with these guys is kind of a mystery especially at home where all visitors come in with no fear. I think it’s safe to now say Levi has re-found his game. He has been very solid but his teammates have not rewarded a lot of his efforts. I also think coach will not start Ratzlaff at home anymore.
There are many components needed to win hockey games and Amerks seem to be missing at least one an awful lot. Many of us who watch every game will be honest in saying their home ice performances have been terrible this season. Why?
Media won’t (or can’t) be too critical if they want free access but we the fans can say what we see because we shell out the dough…so what has gotten into our coach lately? He was great last year but since Adams was let go Leone seems to be on a different plane. To keep saying how good we are playing when we’re not winning is not ringing the right bells.
Play like last night in a short playoff series and you’ll be on the golf course. Close doesn’t count. You have to finish. You don’t reward losses. At least in years past you never did.