FLAMES 4 AMERICANS 3

Rochester, NY – The Adirondack Flames earned their third straight win as they defeated the Rochester Americans 4-3 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY.

Center Bill Arnold led the way offensively with a two-goal effort, his first two tallies as a professional. Emile Poirier and Garnet Hathaway also scored for the Flames, who moved to the .500 mark with the win. Seven Flames picked up assists and Joni Ortio won his second consecutive start with 26 saves between the pipes.

Adirondack got itself out in front early, as Poirier remained hot with his third goal of the season. The shifty winger put a hard, low shot past Rochester netminder Nathan Lieuwen’s glove hand to make it 1-0. Defenseman Mark Cundari collected his first point of the season with the primary assist, while Ryan Culkin extended his scoring streak to five games with the secondary helper.

As they did last time these two teams met at Blue Cross Arena, the Rochester Americans responded quickly after an Adirondack game opening goal, as Luke Adam knotted the score at one. A Jake McCabe shot from the point found its way to a screened Ortio, who made the first save but could not corral the rebound as Adam finished his third goal of the season. Center Zac Dalpe had the other assist on the play for Rochester.

The Flames scored their second of the period right before the halfway mark of the opening period, as Bill Arnold knocked a rebound past Lieuwen for his first career professional goal. The Flames worked the puck nicely with the man advantage before a slapshot from Wolf was denied, but Arnold finished the rebound from close range to make it 2-1. Corey Potter had the secondary assist on the play, his first point with Adirondack.

Hathaway remained hot with just 3:28 to play in the first period as he finished off a two-on-one play for the goal. Brodie Reid picked up his first point as an Adirondack Flame with the primary assist and captain Nolan Yonkman had the secondary marker. The Maine native Hathaway now has six points over his past six games. The goal would be the final allowed by Lieuwen, who was replaced by Andrei Makarov to begin the second period.

The Flames came out of the gates flying in the middle stanza as Arnold finished his second of the evening. Bryce Van Brabant streaked into the offensive zone and was denied on a wrap-around chance but Arnold was on hand for the rebound to beat the young Russian goaltender. The assist for Van Brabant extended his scoring streak to six games.

Rochester moved back to within two goals as Adam tallied his second of the evening with Rochester on a 5-on-3 advantage. Phil Varone hit a wide-open Adam in front of Ortio and the big center could not miss as the score moved to 4-2. Johan Larsson picked up the secondary assist on the play.

The Americans pulled within one goal as Joel Armia beat Ortio with a shorthanded tally 2:29 into the third. Varone took the puck out of the zone in around the Adirondack defense and hit Armia for the tap in goal. The goal gave Armia his fifth point in four games this season against the Flames. Despite a few chances both ways down the stretch, neither team could find the back of the net again and the Flames held on for a 4-3 win.

The Flames are back in action this weekend as they continue their five game road trip. The team will be in Cleveland for a two game set with the Lake Erie Monsters, with puck drop slated for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Adirondack does not return to Glens Falls until Nov. 18 for a matchup against the Chicago Wolves. Tickets are available now, through a full season, 22, 12, flex or holiday plan. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online now at glensfallscc.com.

Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up