Thursday night, the NHL lost its mind in an amazing, quirky slate of games. Friday night, a certain game in the AHL decided to do the same.
Hershey traveled to New York to take on the Rochester Americans Friday in Pheonix Copley‘s triumphant return to the net from a lower-body injury. Well, it was triumphant until the second period.
In the first period, the Bears struck three times in just over six minutes, the markers coming from Travis Boyd, Chris Bourque, and the recently demoted Anthony Peluso, respectively. Hershey led 3-0 at the first intermission. Then it got weird.
Coming out of the break, the Americans scored five straight goals in six minutes and three seconds of game time. The Bears scored to halt the run on a Riley Barber power-play goal, but Rochester struck right back, finding the twine again and taking a 6-4 lead into the locker room.
Lucas Johansen scored six minutes and 53 seconds into the third period, then Hubert Labrie tucked home a rebound to tie the game. Neither team would score for the remainder of regulation or during the five minute overtime period, so the game went to a shootout. In the skills competition, Rochester’s Eric Cornel would score the game-winner in the third round to beat the Bears 7-6.
Phew. I need a breather now.
If that description is not enough for you, we have all 12 goals and the shootout winner for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.
1-0 Hershey
Travis Boyd got the party started.
2-0 Hershey
Chris Bourque doubled the Bears’ lead.
3-0 Hershey
Anthony Peluso added another goal for Hershey.
3-1 Hershey
Garret Ross kick-started the Americans’ comeback.
3-2 Hershey
Kevin Porter tapped home his own rebound.
3-3
Brendan Guhle tied the game for Rochester.
4-3 Rochester
Kyle Criscuolo gave the Americans a one-goal lead.
5-3 Rochester
Eric Cornel extended the Rochester advantage.
5-4 Rochester
Riley Barber stopped the Americans’ run.
6-4 Rochester
Hudson Fasching restored the two-goal lead for Rochester.
6-5 Rochester
Lucas Johansen brought the Bears back into striking distance.
6-6
Hubert Labrie tied the game late in the third.
7-6 Rochester, Final
And, to cap it all off, Eric Cornel scored for the Americans to win the shootout 2-1 and the game 7-6.
What a game.
Game Highlights
Headline Image: @AmerksHockey
