Norm Milley‘s goal 23 seconds into the third period broke a 2-2 tie and lifted Rochester to a 4-2 win over visiting Grand Rapids on Saturday night at the Blue Cross Arena.
It was the Amerks’ seventh straight win overall and 12th in a row at home, and moved Rochester into first place in the AHL’s overall standings with 75 points on the year.
Michael Ryan, Chris Thorburn and Derek Roy tallied a goal and an assist each for the Amerks, while Ryan Miller made 20 saves for his league-leading 28th win of the season.
Griffins forward Kip Miler had a goal and an assist against his cousin Ryan.
Thomas Vanek recorded an assist for Rochester in his final game before heading overseas to play for Austria in an Olympic qualification tournament.
The Amerks’ franchise record for longest home winning streak is 15 games, set during the 1964-65 season.
Elsewhere on Saturday:
Matt Foy scored with 5:45 left in regulation and Josh Harding finished with 34 saves as Houston edged Milwaukee, 1-0… Peter Sarno had a goal and two assists for Manitoba in a 5-1 win over San Antonio… Ari Ahonen made 53 saves Ahren Nittel recorded a goal and two assists in Albany’s 3-2 win over Worcester… Pierre Parenteau scored at 2:52 of overtime to give Cincinnati a 2-1 win over Syracuse… Eric Perrin scored 24 seconds into OT as Hershey beat Binghamton, 4-3… Ryan Whitney dished out three assists as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton joined Binghamton and Norfolk in a three-way tie for first place in the East Division with a 4-1 win over Philadelphia… Connor James scored his first two AHL goals for Manchester, but Portland rallied for a 3-2 shootout win over the Monarchs… Shane Willis‘s second goal of the game was the winner in Springfield’s 3-2 overtime victory over Providence… Kyle Brodziak scored twice for Edmonton in a 4-1 victory over Utah… Kyle Wellwood had a goal and an assist as St. John’s rallied from three goals down to beat Hamilton in a shootout, 4-3… Chad Larose registered a hat trick to lead Lowell over Bridgeport, 6-4… Marcel Goc scored twice as Cleveland edged Chicago, 2-1.
