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Amerks coach hopes for balanced game from refs
By
PAUL FRIESEN -- Winnipeg Sun
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Rochester Americans bench boss Randy Cunneyworth obviously wants more out of his team tonight, but he's also hoping for a better deal from the officials.
Cunneyworth didn't agree with the way referee Steve Kozari called the 5-4 Moose overtime win in Game 3 of their AHL North Division final Monday.
"Some of the calls that maybe we could have got didn't go our way," Cunneyworth said. "He obviously saw the game in a different light. It was a little lopsided, nine penalties to their three. It makes for a difficult night."
The Moose scored two power-play goals in their nine chances, while the Americans went 1-for-3.
Cunneyworth says a second-period hit by Moose defenceman Kevin Bieksa that knocked rookie sensation Thomas Vanek out of the game was a low blow.
He also didn't agree with a high-sticking call on Brandon Smith as the third period ended. Slapped with another penalty for arguing the call, Rochester was forced to start overtime by killing off a two-minute, 5-on-3.
DOLED OUT PRAISE TOO
However, Cunneyworth didn't let his team off the hook, saying the Amerks must cut down on turnovers and take better care of their own end of the rink.
He doled out some praise to the Moose, too, for coming from behind, just like his team did in Game 1.
"It doesn't surprise me," he said. "They've got a very good team. We have the utmost respect for this team. It's going to be a battle. We're very similar in a lot of ways."
