Marcus Foligno scored the overtime winner in Wednesday’s wild 7-6 win. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Amerks not expecting another crazy affair

BUFFALO – So, about those two wild 7-6 games between the Rochester Americans and the Lake Erie Monsters recently.

The Sabres’ AHL affiliate rallied from three three-goal deficits Dec. 13 in Cleveland. Then, incredibly, the Amerks rallied again late Wednesday in Rochester, forcing overtime before Marcus Foligno won it.

Don’t expect another goal bonanza tonight inside the First Niagara Center.

“They’re going to be pretty (ticked) off they blew a couple leads there,” said Amerks defenseman T.J. Brennan, who had five points Wednesday. “I think we capitalized on a couple of third-period wins there for us in both games. I hope the fans aren’t expecting too much. I don’t know if we have enough in us to get another … crazy win.

“But I think there’s going to be a lot more discipline tonight, and it’s going to be a lot more battle, a lot more 2-1 game.”

Amerks winger Mark Mancari added: “For our goalie’s sake I hope not. We want to go out and keep it simple.”

The Amerks haven’t showcased a simple style this season, scoring 98 goals and allowing 96. But perhaps playing in an NHL rink before a capacity crowd of more than 19,000 fans will help them buckle down.

“Playing in Buffalo’s where everybody wants to be,” Mancari said. “Some of the guys that haven’t got to play here have the experience of playing in an NHL arena, have the experience of playing in front of Buffalo fans.”

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