Rochester's second-period scoring outburst in Game 4 forced the NAHL East semifinal best-of-five series against the Maine Nordiques into Game 5, the decisive game.
On Saturday, the Junior Americans scored four goals in a 5-1 win over the Nordiques at the Rochester Ice Center in Rochester, New York, tying the series at 2-2.
“After lighting up Coliseum last weekend, we were stuck this weekend,” Maine Nordiques coach Nick Skerik said. “Now, the best-of-five grudge match begins. I think the team with the closest bond will be the one that wins.”
Game 5 will be played Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Colisey, with the winner facing the top-seeded Maryland Blackbirds in the East Regional final.
Skerik said the Nordiques will have home ice advantage with fan support on Monday, but the Americans will be the more rested team.
“We have a disadvantage, there's no question about that,” Skerik said. “Rochester will be on a private plane and be in Lewiston by 12:30 a.m. Sunday. “We won't be there until 8 a.m. We'll definitely be the underdogs and hopefully in Lewiston. I hope the faithful read that and come out on a school night because we need every ounce of energy to get through Game 5.”
Maine Nordiques defenseman Nicolas Bernardo's shot beat American goalie Cole O'Donnell, giving Maine a 1-0 lead. Nils Forcelius and Kellen Murphy provided the goals.
Thomas Rocky tied the game and scored the eventual winning goal with 11 seconds left late in the second period.
“It's hard to motivate players when they're not scoring goals that the game isn't over. That was our message,” Skerik said. “At 2-1, the players were trying to cheat and try to score, and they started making more mistakes. Next thing you know, it's 4-1.”
Jaden Dike, who assisted on both of the Rockies' goals, scored a goal on target at 15:33 to make it 3-1, then Luka Leighton hit 51 ticks to take a 4-1 lead.
“If they're on our ice, I don't think they're going to score four goals in two minutes, that's for sure,” Skerik said.
Massimo Gentile scored late in the third period to add a fifth goal for the American team.
“I thought we handled it well in the third game, but after losing in overtime last night, we just didn’t feel right tonight,” Skerik said. “There's no question about that.”
Alex Zakruszewski had two assists for Rochester.
O'Donnell stopped 28 shots in the win. Skerik said Carter Richardson had another good game at the net, making 29 saves in the loss.
“We went through another game without getting 30 shots on net,” Skerik said. “In all four games, we kept the number of shots under 30. I think we had less than 10 Grade A (chance).”
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Junior hockey: Rochester beats Maine Nordiques in OT to extend series
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