Lake Erie began three games in three days by facing the Rochester Americans on Friday, a team they had lost to the previous two times they met.  Unfortunately for the Monsters, the third time was not the charm.  Rochester bested the Monsters in a shootout, winning the game, 2-1,

It was the second straight shootout loss for Lake Erie, having lost 5-4 in Toronto on Wednesday.  The game with the Marlies began four straight, and seven of eight, on the road for the Monsters.

The teams were evenly matched to begin Friday's contest, both putting eight shots on goal.  Before the first period would end, however, Rochester would take the lead on a Michael Duco goal.  He was helped by Peter Aston and Kenndal McArdle at 16:59.

The Americans turned up their offensive power in the middle frame, mustering 12 shots in the period, compared to eight by the Monsters.  Despite that, Tom Fritsche still had a chance to put Lake Erie on the board with a penalty shot at the 4:00 mark.  Rochester goalie Mike Broduer stopped Fritsche's attempt though, and the second period came and went with the same 1-0 score.

Both Lake Erie's offensive and defensive prowess returned in the third frame.  The Monsters held the Americans to just three shots on goal in the final session, while managing 12 shots of their own.

Even with the lopsided shots on goal, it appeared as though the game might end with the 1-0 score.  That was until Fritsche redeemed himself from his earlier penalty shot miscue. 

Assisted by Chris Mueller and Kyle Cumiskey, Fritsche found the back of the net with just four minutes remaining in the game, tying it up, and eventually sending it into overtime.  It marker was Fritsche's fifth of the season.  Mueller has recorded an assist in three straight games.

Lake Erie again outshot the home team in OT, 4-1, but neither team was able to capitalize, sending the game to a shootout.

Michael Repik converted Rochester's second shot attempt, and that would be all the Americans would need, as Lake Erie went 0-5 in the shootout, giving Rochester the 2-1 win.  The Monsters have scored one goal in each of their three games with the Americans this season.  Lake Erie is now 0-4 in shootouts in 2008-09.

Lake Erie netminder Jason Bacashihua recorded 23 saves on 24 shots in the loss, and rejected three of the four shootout attempts he faced.  Broduer posted 31 saves on 32 shots, and turned away all five Monsters shooters.

The Monsters head straight to Syracuse to face the Crunch on Saturday, and will finish the weekend back-to-back-to-back in Hershey on Sunday.