Wahlberg, Kuntar score clutch goals to power Amerks past Toronto

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA

For Rochester Americans forward Anton Wahlberg, growth throughout the season has been steady, though not necessarily rapid.

Nearing the end of his second full year in the American Hockey League, the 20-year-old Swede continues to learn how to use his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame to his advantage on the wall and in traffic; how to use his skating to more effectively track the puck and be in position to defend.

Some nights, not everything clicks. And on other nights, like in Friday’s 5-2 victory over the visiting Toronto Marlies, it’s easy to see why the Buffalo Sabres drafted him 39^th overall in 2023.

Wahlberg scored a beautiful goal in the second period, fired a career-high six shots on goal, made big shot blocks and was strong on the boards as the trying-to-right-the-ship Amerks won consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 6-7-14.

“He keeps taking steps,” Amerks coach Michael Leone said. “Now, to take the next step, that’s the standard he has to play with all the time.”

That might be the frustrating part. So often Wahlberg provides glimpses of what he can be, of how he can control a shift in the offensive zone or end opposing pressure in the defensive zone.

But like many young players, he’s still searching for the secret to consistency. His goal was his first in 16 games.

“I think I’ve been playing good away from the puck,” he said, “but of course offensively I want to get better.”

His goal 8:01 into the second period extended the Amerks lead to 3-0. He charged to the net off right wing and, when he neared the crease, fired a high far-side shot between the body and right arm of goalie Dennis Hildeby for his seventh goal (in 55 games).

“I just tried to take it to the net and luckily it went through under his arm,” said Wahlberg, who has 23 assists and is fifth in team scoring with 30 points.

It was the Amerks first three-goal lead in over a month but, of course, they’re not the type to do things the easy way.

By the time the second period ended, the Marlies had trimmed the margin to 3-2 on goals by Landon Sim and Borya Valis.

But Trevor Kuntar calmed the Amerks nerves with a breakaway goal just 2:37 into the third period. Defenseman Gavin Bayreuther hit him in stride with a long out let pass along the left-wing boards and the third-year winger sped in alone to score his 16^th goal.

“We actually talked this morning about that exact play,” Kuntar said. “(Bayreuther) said, ‘I’m going to find you one of these times up the wall.’ ”

After a trying season with the Providence Bruins a year ago (3 goals, 9 assists and 12 points in 54 games), the Buffalo native has resurrected his career.

“It starts with being super thankful for the opportunity I’m being given,” he said.

While he’s within four goals of 20, Kuntar doesn’t see that as his ceiling.

“I definitely think I’m capable of scoring more than 20,” he said.

Speaking of 20-goal seasons, forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz reached the mark with his clinching empty-net goal with 1:02 remaining as the Amerks outshot Toronto 37-29.

In winning, the Amerks maintained their four-point lead over Belleville, 63-59, for the final playoff spot in the North Division. Rochester has 12 games remaining while the Senators have only eight.

“Five-on-five, it’s been trending in the right direction,” Leone said. “We defended really well. It’s nice to see the guys get rewarded and build their confidence back.”

The Amerks had vaulted to a 2-0 lead on goals by Carson Meyer and Matteo Costantini before the game was six minutes old.

Meyer scored at 1:33, posting up at the top of the crease as the rush moved into the Marlies zone. He then redirected out of mid-air a shot from the high slot by Olivier Nadeau for his 13^th goal, and sixth in his past 17 games.

Costantini the scored his third (in 21 games) at 5:51, beating defenseman Blake Smith to the deep slot so he could steer home a pass from Zac Jones.

The goal came moments after Jones intercepted a poor outlet pass by defenseman Chas Sharpe.

Metsa back in the lineup

Defenseman Zach Metsa returned to the Amerks lineup after being reassigned by the Sabres on Friday.

“He’s our captain so it’s great to have him in the room and on the ice,” Kuntar said.