Amerks Train Hamilton Bulldogs

Finally hockey is back at the FNC.  Although it is not in the fashion that everyone would like, its still hockey in Buffalo as the Rochester Americans take on the Hamilton Bulldogs at FNC on the Blue and Gold ice.

Tonight we will be looking for big games from scoring leaders Marcus Foligno, T.J. Brennan and Cody Hodgson.  Rochester enters this game hot, following back to back wins including an 8 goal performance against Hershey.

Tonights scratches for Rochester:

Corey Tropp, Nick Crawford, Jonathon Parker, Maxime Legault, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Drew Schiestel, and Kevin Sundher.

For Hamilton:

Brendon Nash, Alain Berger, Louis Leblanc, Alexander Avtsin.

Starting Line up for Rochester:

Mark Pysyk, Brayden McNabb, Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson, Evan Rankin, David Leggio.

For Hamilton:

Greg Pateryn, Jarred Tinordi, Mike Blunden, Joonas Nattinen, Darryl Boyce, Peter, Delmas.

Fans are pumped up for the return of hockey to Buffalo.

Amerks open up the scoring on the night, at 11:45  into the first period.  Goal was scored by Joe Finley, assisted by Greg Schofield.

Hamilton ties the game in the second with 7:51 remaining with a goal by Bournival.  But the Americans get it back just 45 seconds later with a goal, his first of the season, by Cody Hodgson, assisted by Evan Rankin and Marcus Foligno.

TJ Brennan extends the Amerks’ lead in the third with a Powerplay goal on a point shot.  Assists from Brayden McNabb and Cody Hodgson.

The game ends with the Americans on top in a 3-1 victory.

It was a good, exciting game with a lot of back and forth action.  No one seemed to have a clear edge throughout the game as the Americans lead the charge through the first.  Then the first half of the second period was owned by the Bulldogs, but the Americans came back strong in the second half.  The third period was owned by no one and the Amerks were able to tack on some insurance during a late powerplay.

It was clear to me, who were the experienced players and who the young guys were.  The Hodgson, Foligno, Rankin line were the clear winners in this game and Joe Finley showed what experience can do, while players like Roy, Girgensons, and Gautier-Leduc didn’t have much of a presence.  The third and fourth lines remained quiet all night long until the end of the game when Roy missed an empty netter from across the blue line by mere inches and Tarnasky took a beating for him after Roy was jumped following the shot.  I didn’t even notice Girgensons once which is unfortunate because I was looking forward to seeing what the kid was made of.  David Leggio is building off his outstanding performance from last season and is playing outstanding for Rochester.  On another note, the Americans will be sore tonight.  They were throwing around the body left and right, especially Marcus Foligno who was a bruiser out on the ice.

The Americans were 1-4 on the powerplay.

Following the game, stars of the game David Leggio and Cody Hodgson spoke about how big of a game it was to play in front of the Buffalo crowd.  For them, they saw this as a big game to play in front of the Buffalo faithful.  Hodgson will be playing here as soon as the league starts back up and Leggio mentioned that he can see himself playing before his hometown fans.

For everyone, fans and players, tonight was a big night.  For fans, hockey was finally back at the FNC in Buffalo, NY, and for the players, it was a chance to play before the fans of their parent club and to play in front of the management team here in Buffalo.

So congratulations to the Rochester Americans on their victory and an excellent hockey game in Buffalo.