By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Aaron Dell is, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said, a proud man.
Undrafted out of the University of North Dakota, Dell is now in his 10th season in pro hockey, having climbed his way from pro hockey’s lowest recognized league in 2012-13 – the Central Hockey League – to four seasons as Martin Jones’ backup with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and another with the New Jersey Devils.
He is not, however, proud of what he did on Jan. 25 while tending goal for the Buffalo Sabres. His illegal check on an unsuspecting Drake Batherson sent the Ottawa Senators leading scorer hurtling into the end boards and on to the injured reserve list with a broken ankle.
The hit earned Dell a three-game suspension – less severe than some expected because he had no disciplinary history – but also scorn from the hockey world.
“He made a mistake,” Appert said on Wednesday night after the Amerks defeated the Charlotte Checkers 5-1 behind Dell’s big-save goaltending that earned the goalie first-star honors. “I think he’s gotten a raw deal a little bit in the media. He got a suspension. He made a play that probably wasn’t something he’d do again.
“But at the end of the day, that guy has been unbelievable down here. His attitude. His work ethic. The leadership he provides for our young men in there. He’s just been so good for us.”
Appert’s comments were unsolicited. He said he felt he needed to defend his goalie, who is 6-0 for the Amerks and 1-8-1 with the Sabres.
Dell was returned to the Amerks last week after his hearing with the NHL and then clearing waivers.
He made his first start since returning against Charlotte and was stellar. While the Amerks sprinted to a 3-0 lead in the first 11:13 on goals by Brandon Biro, Brett Murray and Arttu Ruotsalainen, Dell was making clutch saves to keep the Checkers scoreless.
“I think he played very determined tonight,” Appert said. “He’s a proud guy. You’re talking about a guy that started in the CHL, that is proud that he won a championship for the Allen Americans.
“So when you look at his history of where he’s come from and where he got to, to be a full-time NHL goalie for a lot of years, he’s got a lot of pride; he’s got a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to come out and make a statement tonight. You could feel that in him.”
That seemed to be true for the entire team. Blitzed 11-1 by the Checkers in Charlotte in mid-December, the Amerks were well aware of what could happen if they didn’t play well.
“That’s a deep and offensively explosive team,” Appert said.
It was the Amerks, however, who were explosive early. Linus Weissbach set up Biro off a two-on-one fastbreak 4:03 into the game, Murray shoveled in Ruotsalainen’s centering pass at 7:28 and then Ruotsalainen poked home Ethan Prow’s centering pass at 11:13.
JJ Peterka scored a breakaway goal at 19:11 of the second period and Ryan Scarfo extended the lead to 5-0 at 4:16 of the third before Dell’s shutout bid ended with 6:48 remaining when Scott Wilson scored a power-play goal.
“I just tried to play my game,” said Dell, who finished with 35 saves. “They look up to me to lead a little bit.”
Appert said he didn’t need to discuss Dell’s approach heading into Wednesday’s game.
“I talked to him about the situation,” Appert said, “but he’s a pro, he’s a man, there’s a reason he’s had so much success in pro hockey and I could just feel it from him, that I didn’t need to speak to him about it.”
Dell’s first key save came just 6:11 into the game, when he denied a Grade-A chance from the slot by Logan Hustko on a power play, keeping the score 1-0.
He also had some help from the post, with three Charlotte shots ringing off iron.
“I like to say if it was any closer, I would have had it,” Dell said with a smile.”
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