GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 AT Rochester Americans 4 OT

Nov. 28, 2014

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Phil Varone capped off a high-scoring game where the Rochester Americans used overtime to beat the Grand Rapids Griffins 4-3 at Blue Cross Arena Friday night.

The game winner came during the 3-on-3 portion of overtime when Mikhail Grigorenko poke-checked the puck away from Andy Miele as Miele was crossing the Rochester blue line. The puck then squirted towards Varone who streaked down the ice towards Tom McCollum unchallenged to win the game at 6:02 of the extra period.

It was Grand Rapids who got on the scoreboard first earlier in the night. After Rochester was called for icing, Nick Jensen won a draw from Miele then skated from the right side to the center of the ice and blasted a 60-foot shot past goaltender Andrey Makarov for his second goal of the season at 5:44.

The Americans would tie the game 51 seconds into the second period when Zac Dalpe stole the puck from Kevin Porter near the goal line and slid a backhanded shot through the legs of Tom McCollum for his fourth goal of the season.

Grand Rapids (8-7-2-0) would take the lead at 8:28 when Miele fired home a backhand pass he received from Mitch Callahan past Makarov on the power play. The Rochester defense had their back to Miele which allowed him to sneak in front of the net to score his seventh tally of the season.

Rochester (9-10-1-0) would counter with a power play goal of their own at 12:08 when Brayden Irwin received a pass from Luke Adam and got the puck past McCollum as he was sliding into the net. It was initially waived off by the officials but after review the decision was reversed for his second goal of the year.

The power play goals would continue by both clubs in the third period. The first came at 4:05 when Teemu Pulkkinen scored his ninth goal of the season when he fired a wrist shot over the glove of Makarov. The game became tied for the third time when Jake McCabe fired a one-timer across the ice from Adam for fourth power play of the game, this time it was compliments of an Anthony Mantha interference penalty 55 seconds prior.

In overtime, both teams had chances to score in the 4-on-4 segment but no one could find the back of the net before Varone scored.

Makarov improved his record to 6-5-1-1 with the win. He turned away 30 of 33 Grand Rapids shots while McCollum’s record dropped to 5-5-2-0 in the loss where he made 23 saves on 27 shots.

On the power play, Grand Rapids scored twice on three opportunities and Rochester converted on two of their four power play chances.

The Griffins continue their four-game road trip tomorrow night when they face the Adirondack Flames at 7 p.m.

Notes: Miele's goal snapped a 0-18 power play scoring drought on the road... Their last power play goal away from home came Oct. 18 at Charlotte, also scored by Miele.

Three Stars: 1. RCH Varone (game-winning goal, 2 assist); 2. GR Miele (goal, 2 assist); 3. RCH Adam (2 assist).