FLAMES 7 AMERICANS 3

Glens Falls, NY – It was a record setting night for the Adirondack Flames as they took defeated the Rochester Americans by a score of 7-3 on Saturday night in front of 3,194 fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

The Adirondack offense exploded with seven goals on 41 shots, both franchise records. Ryan Culkin (1-2-3), Tyler Wotherspoon (1-1-2), Michael Ferland (1-2-3) and Bryce Van Brabant (1-1-2) all had multiple points as the Flames earned their second win of the season. Joni Ortio was stellar between the pipes for the Flames with 27 saves on 30 shots, including several highlight reel stops.

Garnet Hathaway opened the scoring 18:20 into the game, as he deflected a Ryan Culkin shot from the point past Rochester goaltender Nathan Lieuwen to give the Flames a 1-0 lead. The goal, which came on the Flames’ second power play of the game, was not only Hathaway’s first of the season but also the first of his AHL career. Sven Baertschi picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

The pace picked up immensely during the second period, as six total goals were scored between the two teams. Just over the four minute mark of the period, Johan Larsson put the puck past Ortio to knot the score at one for Rochester. The goal was Larsson’s third of the season and Tim Schaller and Luke Adam picked up the assists.

Just 37 seconds after Rochester’s tying tally, Mathieu Tousignant regained the lead for the Flames as he beat Lieuwen top shelf at the 4:51 mark of the second period. Tousignant’s goal was his first of the season and was assisted by Bryce Van Brabant, the first point of his professional career.

Following his assist on the Tousignant goal, Van Brabant continued his strong night as he doubled the Adirondack lead just three minutes later. The Adirondack forward acquired the puck from Michael Ferland and put a shot on Lieuwen that was turned aside. Van Brabant followed his shot and the rebound landed right on the tape of his stick. He made the most of the opportunity, and beat Lieuwen blocker side to give the Flames the 3-1 lead.

Defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon extended the Flames lead to three as he sent a blast home from the top of the right circle at 10:49 of the middle stanza. The goal, which came on the power play, was Wotherspoon’s first of the season. Max Reinhart was credited with the lone assist on the goal, his first point of the season.

It took just 41 seconds before the Flames struck again, this time it was Michael Ferland’s turn. The power forward beat Lieuwen 11:30 into the middle stanza, extending the Flames lead to 5-1. Ferland’s goal was his third of the season, from Culkin and Wotherspoon. The fifth goal chased Lieuwen from the net after he allowed five goals on 23 shots.

The American s got one back on the power play, as Chad Ruhwedel beat Ortio on a shot from the point at 12:18 of the second period. The goal for Ruhwedel was his second of the season, and was assisted by Larsson and Adam. The Rochester blue liner leads all defensemen in the AHL with eight points (2-6-8).

The Flames entered the final frame with a 5-2 lead but wasted little time before building on it. At 3:41 of the final period, Kenny Agostino beat Audrey Makarov off a beautiful feed from behind the net from Bill Arnold. The goal for Agostino was his second of the 2014-15 campaign and the assist was the first professional point for the Boston College product Arnold. Ferland was also credited with an assist on the goal, his third point of the night.

Less than 4 minutes after Agostino’s goal, Culkin joined the party with his first goal of the season. The goal, which was unassisted at 7:22 of the final period, was the third power play goal of the night for Adirondack and the first of Culkin’s professional career.

The scoring concluded at 8:16 of the third when Zac Dalpe found the back of the net for Rochester. Dalpe’s goal was his second of the season, as Schaller and Larsson picked up the assists.

The Flames are back in action this Wednesday evening as they take on the San Antonio Rampage at the Glens Falls Civic Center for the first time ever. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available for Wednesday’s home contest. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to see the Flames battle the Rampage.

Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up