Josh Dunne had a career night, lifting Rochester to a 5-1 win in Laval on Friday night and forcing a decisive Game 5 in the teams’ North Division Finals. Dunne recorded a four-point night, with two goals and two assists to give him seven total points during the playoffs.
Dunne had 29 points in 68 games with Rochester during the regular season, and he picked the best time to step up and play his best game as Amerk. As I talked about in the article after their loss Wednesday, they needed different players to step up and help them win this series.
Tyson Kozak, Isak Rosén, and Konsta Helenius also scored for the Amerks. Helenius scored a short-handed goal in the third period to put the game on ice. Lukáš Rousek continued his hot streak from the last game, as he tallied two assists this game.
This was the exact type of game that the Amerks needed to play: a grind-it-out physical game, limiting scoring chances, and taking advantage of their opportunities. It felt like a switch flipped from the last game, as they looked like a brand new team.
After allowing four goals per game over the first three games of the series, Devon Levi stopped 22 of 23 shots in Game 4 for Rochester, which won its fifth consecutive road game when facing playoff elimination.
The Amerks scored two power-play goals and one shorthanded marker in the game. The teams combined for 154 minutes in penalties, including 13 misconducts handed out in the final five minutes of the contest.
The Americans had six power plays in the game, which is the most productive stat on the night. They were 2/6, but forcing these penalties is a huge momentum swing that can change a game. Ultimately, this helped them control the pace of the game.
The Amerks need to follow this performance with an encore if they want to see Charlotte in the Eastern Conference Finals. This would be a massive win not only for the Amerks but for the Sabres' future as well.
The teams will meet for the final time on Sunday afternoon, with the winner advancing to meet Charlotte for the Eastern Conference championship.