Last night’s game was like an Oreo cookie for the Bulldogs, but don’t try and dip it in milk. The only part you really enjoy when watching/reading/writing about it was the middle, the rest you tolerate (kind of).
The Bulldogs, who have a penchant for allowing the first goal early, set a new bench mark for their futility. They allowed two early Rochester goals in before the first minute was up.
Just 13 seconds into the game Kevin Sundher walked in alone on Robert Mayer and scored his second of the season. A mere 40 seconds later, Kevin Porter gave the Americans a 2-0 lead with his 12 of the season. 5:45 into the third, Patrick’s son Frederick Roy fired a shot that Robert Mayer got a piece of before it trickled in behind him.
Still in the first, at the 8:15 mark, while on a Power Play, Louis Leblanc put the Bulldogs on the board. Leblanc pounced on a Stefan Chaput rebound before converting it for his 4th of the season. Maybe Louis’ is hungry to produce to get back to the NHL.
The Bulldogs weren’t done there, towards the end of the first the offensive catalyst the Bulldogs have been missing finally put his name on the board. Zack Stortini scored his first of the season, and his 10th as a Bulldog. Stortini’s goal came off a Phillipe Lefebvre rebound; Kyle Hagel also was awarded an assist on the play. Hagel would finish the game a goal away from a Gordie Howe Hat Trick after fighting Braydan McNabb earlier in the period.
Just 24 seconds into the second period the Bulldogs would erase their 3 goal deficit. Hamilton Native Joey Tenute scored his 2nd of the season unassisted off a slap shot.
After a solid effort to tie the game and score three straight goals the Bulldogs would find themselves fighting from behind yet again just 1:23 seconds later. Rick Schofield unleashed a slap shot that alluded Mayer and gave Rochester back the lead.
Evan Rankin would unknowingly extend the Rochester lead back to two goals. Adam Pardy’s pass went off Rankin’s skate and into the net, there was no kicking motion so the goal would stand.
For good measure, the Americans potted one more goal in the third to fully regain the 3 goal lead they had attained in the first period. Brian Flynn deflected a Mark Mancari shot for his 14th of the season.
The Bulldogs have a few days rest before they travel to Lake Erie to face the Monsters on Saturday.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
1. RCH – Kevin Sundher – 2 – (Kevin Porter, Mark Mancari) – 0:13
2. RCH – Kevin Porter – 12 – (Brayden McNabb) – 0:53
3. RCH – Frederick Roy – 3 – (Rick Schofield) – 5:45
4. HAM – Louis Leblanc – 4 – (Stefan Chaput, Frederic St-Denis) – 8:15 (PP)
5. HAM – Zack Stortini – 1 – (Philippe Lefebvre, Kyle Hagel) – 16:52
2nd Period:
6. HAM – Joey Tenute – 2 – 0:24
7. RCH – Rick Schofield – 5 – (Phil Varone, Drew Schiestel) – 1:47
8. RCH – Evan Rankin – 10 – (Adam Pardy, Alex Biega) – 8:42
3rd Period:
9. RCH – Brian Flynn – 14 – (Mark Mancari, Mark Pysyk) – 15:14 (PP)
Scoring:
Rochester: 3-2-1—6
Hamilton: 2-1-0—3
Shots:
Rochester: 11-11-12—34
Hamilton: 9-11-4—24
Goaltending:
Rochester: David Leggio (W – 24 shots, 21 saves)
Hamilton: Robert Mayer (L – 34 shots, 28 saves)
Power Play:
Rochester: 1-for-2
Hamilton: 1-for-2
Attendance: 4,228
Three Stars:
1. RCH – Kevin Porter (1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 3 shots)
2. RCH – Rick Schofield (1 goal, 1 assist, +1, 5 shots)
3. RCH – Mark Mancari (2 assists, +1, 4 shots)
