The Rochester Americans opened their Western Conference Quarter-Final series on a disappointing note, surrendering a two-goal third period lead and losing a 4-3 decision to the Chicago Wolves on defenseman Dmitrij Jaskin’s goal 66 seconds into overtime at the Blue Cross Arena on Friday.
Sabres 2011 first round pick Joel Armia opened the scoring at 14:09 of the first period and added an assist on Nick Deslauriers power play goal less than two minutes later to give the Amerks a 2-0 lead.
Brent Regner scored for the Wolves with the man advantage to narrow the lead to 2-1 through 20 minutes, but Luke Adam responded early in the middle frame on the power play to re-establish Rochester’s two goal lead.
Chicago rallied in the third, outshooting Rochester 13-8 and scoring twice on rookie goaltender Andrey Makarov, who made 35 saves in his first AHL playoff appearance. Sebastian Wannstrom tallied short-handed for the Wolves early in the third to narrow the lead to 3-2 and defenseman Mark Cundari tied the game with 2:09 left in regulation.
The victory represented the only good news for the Blues organization on Friday, as the parent club lost Game 5 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Chicago Blackhawks in St. Louis, as Jonathan Toews beat former Sabre goalie Ryan Miller on a breakaway at 7:36 of overtime.
The Hawks victory is not good news for the Sabres, who could earn another first round pick from the Miller deal if St. Louis reaches the Western Conference Final or he re-signs with the Blues, but neither condition looks optimistic with St. Louis facing an elimination game in Chicago Sunday afternoon and prized youngster Jake Allen gaining experience in the AHL Playoffs.
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