Jan. 18: Amerks 5 - Penguins 4
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Zach Redmond scored twice to tie the single-season franchise record for goals by a defenseman (18) and added two assists for a career-high four-point night to lead the Rochester Americans to a 5-4 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (19-17-4-1) Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
Redmond scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season to tie the mark originally set by Amerks Hall of Famer Rick Pagnutti during the 1972-73 campaign. The veteran blueliner will have his first chance to break the record Saturday as Rochester concludes its weekend trek through Pennsylvania with a matchup against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown.
Redmond, who was named to the North Division All-Star roster earlier this month, collected his second straight multi-point effort (2+2) while Victor Olofsson (2+0) and Danny O'Regan (1+1) rounded out the scoring.
Goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who has gotten the nod in 10 of the last 13 games for the Amerks, upped his record to 15-7-1 as he made 19 saves. The Etobicoke, Ontario, native is one win shy from tying a career-best from the 2013-14 season while his 15 wins rank fourth in the AHL.
Jan. 19: Amerks 2 - Phantoms 3 (SO)
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Despite tying the game with just over six minutes left in regulation and registering a season-high 51 shots on goal, the Rochester Americans could not take the lead as they fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (22-15-2-2) to close out their three-game road swing Saturday night at the PPL Center.
Despite the shootout loss in Allentown, however, the Amerks were able to earn a valuable point to reclaim sole possession of the top spot in the AHL's North Division standings. Rochester has also now picked up 13 points in seven of its last 10 games, including three out of a possible four this weekend.
Amerks forwards Kevin Porter (1+1) and Wayne Simpson (0+2) each turned in a multi-point effort while Matt Tennyson tallied his second goal of the campaign. Goaltender Adam Wilcox stopped 22 of 24 shots he faced but was handed the loss.
The game also featured the Amerks debut of forward Taylor Leier, who was acquired via trade just two days ago from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Justin Bailey. Leier recorded one shot in the loss against his former team.
Lehigh Valley elected to shoot first in the skills competition and Mike Huntebrinker converted in the opening round to put the pressure on Rochester's C.J. Smith, Victor Olofsson and Simpson. Goaltender Alex Lyon, however, stood tall like he did for most of regulation, securing the Phantoms the extra point.
