The Rochester Americans rebounded in style on Friday night, securing a commanding 3-1 win against the Syracuse Crunch at the Blue Cross Arena. This performance was a textbook response following Wednesday’s tough loss, showcasing the team’s resilience and knack for delivering in crucial moments.
With this victory, Rochester improved to 16-9-3-0 on the season and maintained their dominance over their intrastate rivals, boasting a 3-1-0-0 record in this year’s series. The Amerks have now collected points in 18 of their last 24 games, a streak that underscores their consistency and determination.
Early Spark from Novikov
The tone of the game was set just 44 seconds after the opening puck drop, as defenseman Nikita Novikov found the back of the net with his third goal of the season. A quick transition play started by Ryan Johnson and Viktor Neuchev allowed Novikov to weave through the Syracuse defense, snapping a shot past Crunch goaltender Brandon Halverson.
Rochester controlled the pace throughout the first period, outshooting Syracuse 11-4 and forcing Halverson to make key saves to keep the deficit manageable. The Amerks entered the first intermission with a 1-0 lead, setting the stage for a confident performance in the remaining two periods.
Slaggert’s Shorthanded Brilliance
The second period belonged to Graham Slaggert, whose remarkable shorthanded goal extended the Amerks’ lead to 2-0. Just 30 seconds into killing Rochester’s first penalty of the night, Slaggert capitalized on a Syracuse turnover, combining with Josh Dunne in a swift counterattack.
Slaggert’s goal was his third shorthanded tally of the season, tying him for the league lead in that category. His continued knack for delivering in penalty-kill situations has been a key element of Rochester’s success this year, marking a milestone not seen since 2009-11 when Amerks players recorded three or more shorthanded goals in back-to-back seasons.
Levi’s Wall Stands Tall
Goaltender Devon Levi was once again the anchor of Rochester’s defense. The young netminder turned away 22 of 23 shots, including several critical saves during Syracuse’s five power-play opportunities. Levi’s calm presence between the pipes allowed the Amerks to maintain their composure, even as the Crunch pushed to close the gap.
Levi now boasts an impressive 8-2-1 record on the season, including a stellar 7-1-0 mark over his last eight starts. His ability to lock down games has been pivotal, particularly in closely contested matchups like Friday’s.
Neuchev Seals the Deal
Syracuse cut the deficit in half midway through the third period when defenseman Declan Carlile scored off a crisp backdoor feed from Logan Brown. The Crunch, energized by the goal, applied relentless pressure in search of an equalizer.
However, Viktor Neuchev ensured there would be no comeback. With just over two minutes remaining, Neuchev intercepted a loose puck near the blue line and raced past the Syracuse defense to deposit it into an empty net. The goal, his fifth of the season, was a fitting capstone to a strong all-around performance, which also included an assist on Novikov’s opening tally.
Key Takeaways
- Perfect When Novikov Scores: The Amerks improved to a spotless 6-0-0-0 record in games where Nikita Novikov finds the back of the net, emphasizing the young blueliner’s growing importance to the team.
- Shorthanded Specialists: With Slaggert’s three shorthanded goals this season and Brandon Biro’s tally from last year, the Amerks have rediscovered their flair for penalty-kill scoring.
- Special Teams Consistency: While neither team converted on the power play, Rochester’s penalty kill remained airtight, successfully killing all five Syracuse opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The Rochester Americans now set their sights on Sunday’s matinee matchup against the Cleveland Monsters at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The game marks their final outing before the Christmas break, giving the Amerks a chance to carry momentum into the holiday season.
This was a complete team win, fueled by standout performances from both veterans and rising stars. If the Amerks continue to deliver efforts like Friday’s, they’ll remain a formidable force in the AHL’s North Division.