Chad Ruhwedel scores deciding goal as AHL Americans beat Bulldogs 3-1

HAMILTON - Chad Ruhwedel's goal at 13:01 of the third period held up as the winner as the Rochester Americans got past the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-1 on Friday in American Hockey League action.

Evan Rankin scored the first of three third-period goals for the Americans (25-29-6), the affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, while Justin Mercier found the back of an empty net with eight seconds left in regulation.

Greg Pateryn scored in the third for Hamilton (28-22-9), the farm club of the Montreal Canadiens, to tie the game 1-1.

Matt Hackett turned away 29 shots for the win. Joey MacDonald made 27 saves for the Bulldogs.

Rochester failed to score on two power plays while Hamilton was scoreless on four chances with the man advantage.