Nordiques defenseman Nick Bernardo, right, battles Noah Von Scheidt of Rochester for a loose puck in second period action at The Colisee in Lewiston on Friday. Ronnie Morin photo
LEWISTON — The Rochester Jr. Americans built an early lead against the Maine Nordiques and made sure to finish the job Friday night.
The Americans scored three times in the first period en route to a 5-1 victory over the Nordiques in a North American League East Division game at The Colisee.
“We are starting to work on our Friday night starts and getting better,” Rochester assistant coach David Powlowski said. “It was all about preparation this week and the boys answered early.”
Noah Vom Scheidt had a goal and an assist for the Americans.
Nordiques coach Nick Skerlick said a bad practice this week led to Friday’s result.
“We had a lackluster day at practice this week,” Skerlick said. “My closest friends can sit here and laugh because I told everyone it was going to be a tough night before coming to the rink today. The first five minutes of the game, we got out-hit, and we got out-competed.”
Landon Brownlee opened the scoring a little over two minutes into the game when Nordiques goalie Thomas Heaney kicked a rebound from a Vom Scheidt shot to the slot, where Brownlee put the puck into the half-open net.
Adam Gionta, the son of former NHLer and Jr. Americans assistant coach Brian Gionta, tapped the puck past Heaney three minutes later for a 2-0 lead.
“It was some good work at the top, and it was a nice pass over to Adam, who was sitting right there,” Powlowski said.
Maine had opportunities on a 5-on-3 power play less than minutes into the game. The Nordiques appeared to score early in the two-man advantage, but the referee waived it off for goaltender’s interference. The Nordiques also rang the crossbar on the man-advantage.
“Tonight is probably the first night we had power-play opportunities that generate a shot; I don’t think that has ever happened this year,” Skerlick said. “But, I will tell you it’s frustrating to get a power-play goal (taken away). If that goal gets counted, the whole game turns around, the whole power play turns around.”
The Nordiques had two more power plays in the first period but couldn’t generate the offensive chances like on the 5-on-3.
For the game, the Nordiques were 0 for 10 on the power play, while the Americans were 0 for 5.
Vom Scheidt ended Heaney’s night in the crease with a wrap-around tally 15 minutes into the opening frame. Adam Moller, a 2022 Twin City Thunder draft pick who started the season in the Tier I United States Hockey League with the Des Moines Buccaneers, relieved Heaney.
“We are trying to work on those leads moving forward,” Powlowski said of a three-goal leading heading into the first intermission. “We have had trouble with them in the past and it was nice to see that today. Hopefully, we build off of it.”
Skerlick said Moller was brought in to evaluate the goaltending position with Heaney and Carter Richardson.
Noah Vom Scheidt of Rochester gets the wrap-around past Nordiques goaltender Thomas Heaney to give the Jr. Americans a 3-0 first-period lead at The Colisee in Lewiston on Friday night. Ronnie Morin photo
Kellen Murphy got the Nordiques on the board early in the second period, with Ryan Panico picking up the helper.
Matteo Disipio restored the three-goal lead for Rochester with a power-play marker midway through the second.
Nordiques forward Cody Pisarczyk got a five-minute major and a game misconduct for cross-checking a Rochester player behind the Americans’ net. Rochester goalie Florian Wade picked up a roughing penalty for going after Pisarczyk.
Skerlick said he was frustrated about captain John-Paul Steele getting boarded less than a minute before.
“JP Steele gets boarded, a two-minute penalty, and 38 seconds later Cody Pisarczyk gets tackled in the corner and somehow gets a game misconduct,” Skerlick said.
The Nordiques killed off the major penalty.
Luca Leighton scored a shorthanded goal for Rochester early in the third period on a breakaway opportunity.
Skerlick said the Nordiques were more focused on being a physical than scoring in the third period.
“I don’t think the mission of the team today was to go out and win the third period,” Skerlick said. “I think the mission was to go out there and play a little stupid. We just talked about that because we have come back, we have scored three goals in eight periods this year. We have scored three or more goals in eight periods this year. So it’s frustrating for them to come out and play like jerks.”
The teams meet again at The Colisee on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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