Nov 13, 2023
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48
The Rochester Americans came out triumphant in a 4-3 win on home ice Friday night against Utica, but the Comets retaliated via a 6-0 outcome in their favor Saturday evening, forcing the Amerks to settle for a split in their weekend series.
Five players from Rochester’s ECHL affiliate in Jacksonville were in the Amerks lineup Friday night, leading the way with three goals and four points, including the game-winning-goal scored by Damien Giroux in the third period.
Christopher Brown and Riley Fiddler-Schultz each found the back of the net during the first period Friday, while Dominick Mersch earned two-thirds of a Gordie Howe hat trick, posting an assist and dropping the gloves in his Amerks debut. He and Fiddler-Schultz each got credit for their first career AHL points.
“It’s exciting to get called-up and then see some familiar faces around,” said Fiddler-Schultz when asked about being in Rochester with his ECHL teammates.
“It definitely helps with the comfort level a little bit,” said Giroux. “But from the moment I got here, the coaching staff, the players, and the equipment and athletic staff have been so welcoming and made it a super easy transition.”
“You know you’re going to need your depth,” said Amerks head coach Seth Appert following Friday’s 4-3 win. “That was a really good effort by our group. We got contributions up and down the lineup. There was just a lot of really, really good stuff.”
Amerks captain Michael Mersch has been sidelined since Nov. 1 with injury, though the captain is getting closer to full health and the Amerks are optimistic about his playing chances in Cleveland this week. Though the fourth-year Amerk hasn’t been able to help his team on the ice, Mersch has made it a point to lead by example in the locker room.
“I talked to ‘Merschy’ after the big win in Syracuse (on Nov. 4) and he said it was inspiring,” said Appert. “He was saying how inspiring it was to see our guys dig deep with a short lineup and find a way to win. He talked to our group Tuesday and talked to the guys about how inspiring it was to see them play like that. There’s no better person to say that than our captain. The guys that are here feel valued here and important here and that starts with our captain.”
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