Confident Amerks win eighth straight
Oreskovich sets tone for checking line
BINGHAMTON — This is what we’ve learned from Victor Oreskovich in his two weeks back in pro hockey.
Playing the game is apparently a lot like riding a bike.
Oreskovich may have taken two years off but there’s no way to tell. He made two slick passes to set up goals by David Brine and Jamie Johnson as the Rochester Americans defeated the Binghamton Senators 4-2 on Friday night.
With the victory in the first of five visits to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, the Amerks extended their winning streak to eight and improved to 9-1-1.
Even with Jeff Taffe, Michal Repik and Kenndal McArdle on recall to the parent Florida Panthers, the Amerks won, meaning they’re believing even more in their abilities as a team.
“There’s a lot of confidence but I don’t think there’s too much at all,” said defenseman Jason Garrison, whose power-play goal at 7:22 of the third period broke a 2-2 tie.
“You know you have too much confidence when guys are trying to make plays that aren’t there, and we’re not doing that.”
Oreskovich is certainly gaining confidence quickly. Out of the game the past two years because he’d lost the passion and desire, he didn’t make his debut until Oct. 21. In just five games he has 1 goal, 3 assists and 4 points, and also has delivered several big checks.
“It’s a good situation for me, having a strong team like we do and having a lot of older guys,” he said. “I’m not necessarily being thrust into situations.”
Because of the callups, his role did change on Friday, though. He went from the fourth-line right winger to a spot on the checking line and thrived in place of Repik.
“You want to prove yourself and prove you’re capable of producing,” Oreskovich said.
His thundering hit on Erik Karlsson on the end boards created a turnover and led to the game’s first goal, by Brine at 11:04 of the first period.
“When I’m finishing my checks, I can see a noticeable difference in my play,” he said. “My aggression level goes up and I’m much more involved in the game.”
Jesse Winchester tied the score at 9:42 of the second period, ending goalie Alexander Salak’s shutout streak at 139 minutes, 51 seconds.
But Oreskovich set up Johnson’s first of two goals in the game for a 2-1 lead at 14:09 of the second.
The Senators again tied the score when Derek Smith clanked a point shot in off the cross bar on a power play at 5:14 of the third.
Garrison returned the favor as he rang his shot from the center point in off the cross bar on a power play 2:08 later to give the Amerks a 3-2 lead.
“Every time they scored one, we bounced back,” Amerks coach Benoit Groulx said. “The team in general was skating very well. I think it was a well-deserved win.”
KEVINO@DemocratandChronicle.com
Kevin’s 3 stars
1. Victor Oreskovich, RW, Amerks … 2 assists and imposing as body-checker.
2. Jamie Johnson, C, Amerks … 2 goals, including clincher into empty net; best game yet.
3. Mike York, RW, Amerks … So smart, does so much well.
