Kulich, Rosen slumps magnified in Amerks 2-1 loss to Crunch

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA

When their rookie seasons ended in June in the Calder Cup Eastern Conference finals, Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen had proven they were well on their way to playing in the NHL.

By the time the calendar hit Thanksgiving this season, the talented forwards had reinforced that belief.

Kulich was among the top goal-scorers in the American Hockey League, finding the net 11 times in the Rochester Americans’ first 15 games of this season. Rosen was equally dangerous, producing 8 goals, 11 assists and 19 points through his first 17 games. Their play earned them callups to the parent Buffalo Sabres on the same day, Nov. 25.

But as the calendar has turns to February, Kulich and Rosen are dealing with the realities of pro hockey. The better you are, the more attention you face, and the less time and space you are given.

Both were kept off the scoreboard on Wednesday night – again – as the Amerks fell 2-1 to goalie Hugo Alnefelt and the Syracuse Crunch at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.

Mitchell Chaffee’s goal with 14.7 seconds remaining in the second period broke a 1-1 tie and the Crunch withstood sustained Amerks pressure for much of the third period to hold on for the victory on a night when Sabres rookie Devon Levi started for Rochester.

“We were very good in the third, created enough,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said. “Some of it was we have to finish better, and Alnefelt was beyond excellent.”

But these are the times their big guns – like Kulich and Rosen – must produce. That’s not only part of the development process, but the standard they set for themselves and now are expected to uphold.

“It’s what (Jack) Quinn and (JJ) Peterka had to go through (in 2021-22) in that we need them to be drivers,” Appert said. “We don’t over-sign veterans and block the path and development process of our young prospects.

“Last year they had great years and they were a big part of it. But now we need them to make that next step, now we need you every night. It’s a good, healthy pressure that they’re under, while having a target on their back.”

Kulich has gone eight games without a goal, matching the longest drought of his young pro career. Those are the eight he has played since a two-week trip to the World Junior Championship to play for his native Czechia. The only other time he went games without a scoring was in November of his rookie year.

Rosen, meanwhile, has just one goal in his past eight games and just two in his past 18 – the 18 since returning from his recall to Buffalo.

The good news is that, even while the two haven’t been scoring, the Amerks had been winning. Going into Wednesday, they’d won four of the past five and seven of the previous 10.

This story could be quite different with a little luck for Kulich. With 8:17 remaining in the game, he had Alnefelt beaten but his shot clanked off the post. In the final second, his one-timer from the high slot had a great chance to find the net but defenseman Devante Stephens sprawled to block it.

“He’s had some big-time chances,” Appert said. “Two games ago, the goalie doesn’t see it and it hits the shaft of his stick. So we’re probably not asking those questions if one or two of those goes in, or if he ties the game with two seconds to go on the one-timer.”

The fact is, however, that pucks aren’t finding the net, which is creating a learning moment, Appert said. His message to them: “Embrace how hard it is.

“Adversity and failure is where the great majority of your growth comes from as a human, as a player, if you attack it, don’t shy away from it and attack it head on.”

Levi solid in another trip to Rochester

Levi joined the Amerks for a third time, and the second time in two weeks. With the Sabres having the week off heading into the NHL All-Star break, Levi was assigned to Rochester to play twice this week.

Whether he stays beyond the weekend games at Laval hasn’t necessarily been determined, Appert said.

And that’s fine with Levi, who stopped 16 shots against the Crunch.

“To be here during the NHL All-Star break is pretty advantageous,” Levi said. “My focus is just where my feet are.”

The first goal he allowed Wednesday was on a two-on-one short-handed fast break, when Waltteri Merela’s shot hit the left post, then Levi’s back, and finally Levi’s stick to carom into the net.

The second was on a misfire by Chaffee. “The guy fanned on it and put it five-hole unintentionally,” Levi said.

Stillman leaves due to injury

Amerks defenseman Riley Stillman was forced to leave the game after a hard check by Chaffee in front of the Rochester bench sent him into the boards.

Stillman slowly made his way onto the bench and sat down, but seconds later headed to the dressing room.

Appert said he didn’t have an update on the injury.