Two pairs of quick goals proved to be all Rochester would need to set a franchise record with its 16th consecutive home victory, a 5-2 decision over Syracuse on Sunday evening.
The Amerks now have their sights set on the AHL record of 19 straight home wins, set by the Philadelphia Phantoms in 1996-97.
Chris Taylor and Chris Thorburn scored 1:48 apart in the first period to give Rochester a 2-0 lead, then Jeff Jillson and Jason Pominville struck with power-play markers 1:18 apart early in the second, making it 4-0.
Ryan Miller made 28 saves and Derek Roy added two assists for the Amerks, who are now 22-5-2-1 on home ice this season and 41-10-3-5 overall, good for a league-leading 90 points.
“We’re excited about it for the fans and the media,” Amerks head coach Randy Cunneyworth said of the winning streak. “It’s fun to talk about it, but we still have work to be done. (The guys are) taking pride in everyone contributing.”
The previous franchise record of 15 straight home wins was set by the 1964-65 Amerks.
Elsewhere on Sunday:
J.P. Vigier had two goals and an assist for Chicago in a 5-2 win over St. John’s before 15,623 fans at Allstate Arena… Shane Endicott‘s shorthanded goal with 3:37 left in regulation was the difference as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton beat Philadelphia, 3-2… Cam Ward made 38 saves as Lowell ended a four-game winless streak with a 3-1 win over Norfolk… Jared Aulin scored twice for Portland in a 3-2 win at Bridgeport… Nolan Schaefer made 34 saves and was 4-for-5 in the shootout as Cleveland got past Edmonton, 3-2… Brad Boyes and Keith Aucoin recorded a goal and an assist each as Providence beat Manchester, 2-1… Jeff Ulmer tallied a goal and two assists for Hershey in a 3-0 blanking of Albany… Matt Ellis scored the winning goal at 7:34 of the third period as Grand Rapids ended Cincinnati’s five-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory… Matt Foy scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as Houston nipped San Antonio, 3-2.
