On Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena, the Lake Erie Monsters met Rochester for the third time in seven days, claiming a 2-1 overtime win over the Americans to establish a season-high five-game winning streak and tie a franchise mark for consecutive wins. The Monsters have won five of their last six home games, improving to 12-5-2-2 on home ice and 21-19-3-4 overall. The victory – Lake Erie’s first of the season in overtime – moves the team into sole possession of third place in the North Division.

The Monsters recorded 14 shots in the scoreless first period, while holding the Amerks to just three.

Rochester took a 1-0 lead off a shorthanded goal at 2:04 of the middle frame. In an odd-man rush, Chris Taylor sent a cross-ice pass to Kenndal McArdle, who flipped in a wrist shot from close range.

The Amerks outshot the Monsters by an 11-7 count in the second period.

Trailing by a goal late in the third, Lake Erie knotted the score at 1-1 at the 15:08 mark. T.J. Galiardi rifled a slap shot from the left point, before the rebound was backhanded into the net by David van der Gulik from the right doorstep. Galiardi, who played 66 games with the Monsters during his rookie season in 2008-09, returned from parent club Colorado the previous day.

Lake Erie’s 19 shots in the third period tied a season high, while holding the Amerks to just five.

Neither team managed to break the deadlock in the final minutes of regulation, setting up a five-minute sudden death overtime session.

Just 2:34 into overtime, Mark Olver snapped a shot into the top right corner for his team-leading 17th goal of the season. Olver’s tally extended his goal scoring streak to a team-high five games, as the rookie has recorded seven points (6G, 1A) in his last five outings. Cameron Gaunce assisted Olver’s game winner.

Goaltender John Grahame turned aside 20 of the 21 shots he faced, extending his winning streak to five games, the longest of any Lake Erie goaltender this season. The win improves Grahame’s record to 10-7-2.

At the other end, Jacob Markstrom turned aside 39 of Lake Erie’s 41 shots.

The Monsters will continue their stretch of playing 12 of 13 games at home when they host the Houston Aeros at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Three Stars: 1. LE Olver (GW goal); 2. LE Grahame (20 saves); 3. LE van der Gulik (1 goal)

David Quinn Postgame Interview	David van der Gulik Interview
Mark Olver Postgame Interview