Had Justin Bailey not spent nine games in the NHL so far this season, perhaps he would have made the AHL All-Star team the first go-round. With 18 goals in 38 games for Rochester, the Amerks 6'3" 214 lb. right-wing is only four goals behind AHL leader Greg Carey (Lehigh Valley Phantoms/Philadelphia Flyers) having played in five less games. The AHL announced today that Bailey has been added to the North Division All-Star roster.

Bailey broke a three-game goal drought last night with a goal late in the third period. It was the Amerks fifth unanswered goal as Rochester downed the Albany Devils 5-3 in the last game before they break for the AHL All-Star Classic. In net for Rochester was fellow All-Star Linus Ullmark while the Amerks other All-Star, Cole Schneider scored his 16th goal of the season.

The trio will be in Allentown, PA for the AHL Skills Competition tonight followed by the All-Star Challenge tomorrow night.

Bailey was on a hot streak in late December (5 goals in four games) before being recalled to Buffalo on Jan. 3 game vs. the NY Rangers where he scored his first NHL goal. After going point-less in the next five games he was sent back down to Rochester and continued his streak with four more goals in three games for a league-best seven-game goal streak this season. His 18 goals leads the team while his 38 points places him third on the Amerks.

It's the first All-Star appearance for Bailey who was taken by Buffalo with the 52nd-overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.

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