FLAMES 1 AMERICANS 4

Rochester, NY – The Adirondack Flames were defeated 4-1 by the Rochester Americans on Friday evening at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY.

Markus Granlund found the scoresheet for the third time in four games with a first period goal in the defeat, while Brad Thiessen turned aside 27 of the 30 shots he saw. Andrei Makarov made 34 saves on 35 shots in a strong effort to neutralize the Adirondack offense for his first win of the season.

The Flames opened the scoring just 2:50 into the game as Granlund put a twisted wristshot past Makarov’s glove hand to make it 1-0. The Finland native collected a drop pass from Ferland and buried his third goal of the season. Defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon had the secondary assist on the goal,which was scored on the man advantage.

Rochester evened the scoring just under ten minutes later as Phil Varone scored a power-play goal of his own with 7:22 to play in the first. Thiessen turned aside two shots on the play but could not stop the second rebound as Varone finished in front on the backhand. Zac Dalpe and Chad Ruhwedel had the assists on the play, an AHL high eighth point amongst defensemen for Ruhwedel.

The home side took its first lead of the evening just 33 seconds later as Mikhail Grigorenko put a slap shot past Thiessen. After a failed clear from Adirondack behind its own net, the Americans capitalized on the turnover and Grigorenko finished from the high slot. Winger William Carrier and defenseman Mark Psysk had the helpers on the play. The assist form Carrier was his fourth of the season, which ties him for second amongst all AHL rookies for the season.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net during the middle stanza as the score remained 2-1. The shots were tied during the second period as Makarov and Thiessen turned aside 11 shots apiece.

Rochester took a two goal advantage just past the halfway point of the third period as Joel Armia took a feed from Grigorenko and put a wrist shot past the glove hand of Thiessen. The goal was the second in as many games against the Flames for Armia and was the second point of the evening for Grigorenko. Rochester iced the game with an empty net tally from Johan Larsson, who fired the puck the length of the ice into the back of the goal with 1:46 left on the clock.

The Flames and Americans are back in action tomorrow evening as they travel to Glens Falls for a rematch at the Civic Center, with start time slated for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available for tomorrow’s contest. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to be a part of Saturday Night is Hockey Night in Glens Falls.

Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up