Isak Rosen scored with seven seconds left in overtime to allow the Americans to beat the Laval Rocket 3-2 on Friday night in Rochester.
Jeremy Davies and Mason Jobst scored the Americans’ other goals, and Devin Cooley, who was solid in net, stopped 32 shots.
Jan Myšák and Riley Kidney scored for the Rocket. Strauss Mann finished the game with 32 saves as well.
The Rocket put pressure on the Americans zone during the first five minutes of the game. However, few of the attempted shots reached the target and the Americans’ defenders blocked several plays to keep the score at 0-0 at the start of the game.
With just over nine minutes gone in the first period, Rocket forward Nathan Légaré got another great opportunity from the slot. Cooley once again closed the door.
Jean-François Houle’s squad obtained a numerical advantage in the final minutes of the first period, but the best chance to score was created by Americans forwards Brandon Biro and Linus Weissbach.
Davies scored the first goal of the game with just one second left in the first period. Zach Metsa and Jiri Kulich set up Davies’ goal.
Myšák tied the game for the Rocket at 7:48 of the second period by recovering a loose puck near the goalie. Three Rocket players were near Cooley’s semi-circle trying to interfere with his work.
Jobst gave the Americans the lead again with his seventh of the campaign at 14:52, on the power play, when he jumped on a loose puck to Mann’s left. Kulich collected his second assist of the evening on the goal.
Just 1:28 of play later, Kidney made it 2-2 by scoring his second goal of the season. The attacker took advantage of the defender in front of him to go with a veiled shot and beat the goalkeeper.
The Rocket led 26-17 in shots after 40 minutes of play.
Brandon Gignac received a penalty for tripping at 7:29 of the third period, but his teammates blocked several shots and passes to use up the opponent’s two minutes of power play and keep the score at 2-2.
Légaré had the best chance of the game when he escaped in the final minute of regulation, but his shot missed the target and the two teams headed into overtime.
After a few similar chances in the previous minute, Rosen came alone in front of Mann, who first took out his stick to spear the puck, before seeing the attacker serve him up with a nice feint and give the Americans the victory.