GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS TRAVEL TO LEHIGH VALLEY FOR REMATCH WITH PHANTOMS
Middle game of three-in-three weekend sees Rochester aim to return to win column
Jan 18, 2025
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
The Rochester Americans (22-10-3-1) face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (19-14-5-1) for a second straight night, this time with the scene shifting to PPL Center for a Saturday face-off in Allentown.
Tonight is the second and final meeting in the season series against Lehigh Valley. Rochester had won five of the last seven meetings against the Phantoms at Blue Cross Arena dating back to the 2019-20 season prior to the start of the weekend.
LAST TIME OUT
The Amerks overcame 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to earn a standings point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Phantoms Friday night at Blue Cross Arena. After going two periods without a goal, Josh Dunne broke through midway through the third to even the game at 1-1 after Ethan Samson’s first-period conversion kept the Phantoms in front for the bulk of the game.
Dunne’s equalizer lasted less than four minutes, as Brendan Furry scored shorthanded to give Lehigh Valley the lead once more.
With the goaltender pulled and under a minute to play, Brett Murray stepped up at the net front with his team-leading 17th goal of the season to send the game into overtime.
Early in the extra session, it appeared Isak Rosén had completed the comeback for the Amerks by scoring the game-winning-goal, however, the goal was overturned upon an officials’ discussion due to goaltender interference. This allowed the game to escalate into the shootout, where Phantoms forward Rodrigo Abols scored in the fourth round to lift Lehigh Valley to victory.
Parker Gahagen made 30 saves in the win, while Devon Levi also fought off 30 shots, but sustained a second consecutive loss for just the second time this season with Rochester. The loss was also the Amerks’ first in a shootout this season as the team had gone 3-0 heading into the weekend.
NEEDING POWER
Rochester faced a Lehigh Valley team ranking second in the AHL for penalty minutes. Naturally, as a result, the Amerks were given ample opportunities on the man-advantage, but failed to capitalize on any of their five power-plays.
“We had five power-plays and we gave up a shorthanded goal with seven minutes to go,” said Amerks head coach Michael Leone following Friday’s game. “It's just not good enough. Our guys have to execute. We're just too casual and it just wasn't good enough.”
While the Amerks are scoring the fourth-most goals in the AHL, their power-play ranks 26th in the league and last in the North Division. On the flip side, the team killed off all three penalties dealt to them Friday. Apart from last Saturday’s game in Syracuse, the Amerks have killed off 26 of their last 28 penalties.
OSTSOME
Amerks rookie forward Noah Östlund posted an assist on Dunne’s goal Friday by working hard along the perimeter to manufacture the point, giving the Swedish 20-year-old assists in two of his last three games.
Östlund has three points (1+2) in 15 games played, but missed two months of action due to injury. The Sabres prospect was spotted playing in all situations Friday, including five-on-five, penalty kill, and the power-play.
“He does all the right things,” said Leone. “He plays the game with the right way. He doesn't cheat, he’s coachable, he's dependable. He's a really good player. It's good to see him rewarded the last couple of games by getting on the stat sheet. He does so many things in the game that help you win and he was excellent tonight (Friday).
SANDY’S BACK
The Amerks will send Felix Sandström to the crease Saturday night in what will be a homecoming of sorts for the veteran goaltender. Sandström makes his return to PPL Center for the first time since departing the Philadelphia Flyers’ organization after spending his first six professional seasons in North America with the orange and black.
“I have a lot of good memories from my time there,” said Sandström, who will appear in his 100th AHL game tonight. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to this weekend especially. I have a lot of friends on that team, but when it comes to the game, it’s all about winning.”
Sandström amassed a 39-29-13 record over 88 games with Lehigh Valley while posting two shutouts. The former third-round selection in 2015 by Philadelphia appeared in 30 NHL games over three seasons with the team.
As an Amerk, Sandström has won three straight starts, including his most recent showing January 4 in Bridgeport where the 28-year-old made a season high-36 saves.