By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
(updated with playoff opponent)
The Rochester Americans earned the final playoff berth in the American Hockey League on Saturday without even playing.
Not all news was good, however.
The Amerks will be without goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen when they face the Belleville Senators in the best-of-three play-in series starting Wednesday in downtown Rochester.
The Amerks moved into the fifth and final playoff position in the AHL’s North Division when the Toronto Marlies lost 5-2 at Belleville.
In losing, the Marlies points-earned percentage fell to .549 for their 72 games, dropping them below the Amerks’ .553 percentage for 76 games. Because teams played a different number of games, percentage was used to determine playoff spots instead of the traditional point system.
Luukkonen suffered what is being termed a lower body injury when he was involved in a goal-mouth pileup midway through the first period of Friday’s 8-1 victory over the Utica Comets.
“That one stinks,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said Saturday evening. “It stinks for the team, it stinks for him. Organizationally you’d like him to have that experience.”
Luukkonen was hurt when Utica forward Ryan Schmelzer drove to the net off left wing and crashed into the goalie. The force of the collision pushed Luukkonen backward and into the goal post, with Schmelzer falling on top of him.
Luukkonen, who started seven of the final eight games, did skate to the bench on his own, stopping to question the referee regarding no penalty call, and then walked down the tunnel to the dressing room.
“He’s likely out for the short-term,” Appert said. “I’d be surprised if he’s available for the play-in series, and even the next round is a question mark.”
Aaron Dell will get the call in goal. He was terrific on Friday, taking over with a 2-0 lead and stopping 23 shots over the final 48 minutes, 4 seconds. His only playing time between April 10 and Friday was a 20-save, 2-0 loss at Cleveland last Sunday.
The Amerks first-round opponent was determined Saturday night when Laval won 5-2 at Syracuse. In winning, the Rocket clinched third place and avoided the play-in mini-round against the Amerks. Game 1 is in Rochester Wednesday and Games 2 and 3 are in Belleville, mostly likely on Friday and Sunday.
The Amerks went 3-3-1-1 against Belleville during the regular season, when they finished with a 37-29-7-3 record.
They were in playoff mode for a good month, desperate to earn points to make up for a three-month stretch when key players were hurt, on the COVID-19 list or on recall to the parent Buffalo Sabres.
The busy schedule down the stretch, coupled with the pressure of needing to win, could have been a concern heading into the playoffs. How much would the Amerks have left?
But Appert said playing just one game this past week provide a mental break as well time recharge.
“I think I was concerned about that the last month but the benefit of this week will help,” Appert said. “Playing just one game was good for guys that played a lot, like (JJ) Peterka, (Arttu) Ruotsalainen, (Jack) Quinn, (Ethan) Prow, (Jimmy) Schuldt.
“I have less worry about that now.”
They will get defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forward Peyton Krebs from the Sabres. Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald rejoined the Amerks on Friday. Those were the only three players on the Sabres roster eligible to return to the AHL.
“I’m really happy for our guys,” Appert said. “It’s a great group, a great group of young guys and also a great group of veterans.”
Not a huge loss. Dell maybe not as talented but far more consistent I actually feel much better with Dell then upl and I worry that Appert would have left upl in no matter how he played so now he doesn’t have that option. That said we definitely need Houser back for a backup. Looks like it will be Belleville I would have preferred Laval as I think Belleville will be a bigger challenge but for now just glad this minor miracle has been completed and they will be in the playoffs! Let’s hope the reinforcements will get these guys back to early season form!
I agree. While the experience is what Buffalo wants for UPL, I don’t think the Amerks will suffer that much with Dell in nets. He is more than capable and he may even be ‘auditioning’ to stay with the Sabres next season in some capacity.
Belleville knocked the Amerks around this season. They are bigger and meaner. Amerks must resist getting goaded into stupid penalties. And they must develop a forecheck that doesn’t rely totally on perimeter or dump and chase tactics.
They have the horses. And its high time that this ugly playoff drought be stopped. Toronto handed them a gift. Lets hope they use it!