MURRAY, BIRO PLAYING THEIR BEST HOCKEY
Murray, Biro, and Rousek combined for 22 points in last 5 games
Dec 29, 2022Brett Murray, Brandon Biro, and Lukas Rousek combined for three goals in Wednesday night’s 5-4 overtime win against the Utica Comets, and quite frankly: it comes as no surprise.
“I thought we played really well together,” Biro told the media after the game. “I thought they did a great job in the neutral zone finding speed and creating chances. You go through stretches where everything just kind of goes in sometimes.”
That is certainly the case for Biro, Murray and Rousek, who collectively lead the Amerks in scoring. They’ve combined for nine goals and 13 points in the last five games.
“It’s a good line combination of different styles of play,” Murray explained. “Brandon Biro, I’ve played with him for five or six years and we train together in the summer, so the chemistry is there. And Rousek is just an unbelievable passer, and he’s always in the right spot.”
Murray, who scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season, continued: “Half the time, I just have to get open and they do the rest.”
While he’s quick to point to his linemates, Murray has established himself as a force to be reckoned with this season.
“He’s playing his best hockey of his career right now, both offensively, defensively, and physically.”
Seth Appert, after the game
Murray recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick last night after his goal, assist, and fight with Hutchison. Murray is no stranger to a scuffle, and it’s usually when he’s sticking up for his teammates. “He did that for Kyle Okposo [while he was in Buffalo], he did that for [Michael] Mersch and now he did that for [Sean] Malone. It’s how he’s wired,” Appert said.
The win last night extended the Amerks’ win streak to a season-long four straight games, but felt even better after the Dec. 9 matchup between Rochester and Utica, which was Rochester’s most recent loss.
Though it wasn’t ideal to have the Comets stage a comeback, Biro credits a little bit of Christmas rust from the squad, who had 10 days between games.
“It was good to get the two points, and we’ll be better Friday,” Biro said.
It’s hard to imagine Biro being even better, as he’s carried the Amerks offense throughout the month of December. Biro has recorded five-straight multi-point games, and six altogether, tallying three goals and seven assists.
When asked what contributes to why Biro has been hot, Coach Appert explained: “I wouldn’t say that he’s hot. I think I’d say he’s just playing his game, consistently over and over and over. He’s doing it offensively, he’s doing it defensively.”
Appert points to the four blocked shots that helped the Amerks sweep the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday, Dec. 17.
“We’re talking about selling-out blocked shots,” Appert said. “His level of care and, for lack of a better term, his ‘give a damn’ to be a great player and help his team win is extremely high right now.”
“It’s been fun to see and it’s been fun to coach.”
The Amerks are back in action on Friday night at Blue Cross Arena as they host the Belleville Senators for a 7:05pm puck drop before heading to Toronto for a Saturday afternoon tilt.