By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA They had traveled 6,600 miles by air and another 500 by bus last week to get to and from Henrietta to Belfast, Ireland, in order to play in the annual Friendship Four college hockey tournament. Only to not score a goal. Two full games for the Rochester Institute of Technology men’s hockey team, first against Miami-Ohio (a 4-0 loss) and then Sacred … [Read more...] about RIT ends scoring drought, losing streak in grand style
Amerks rally to pull even but lose in OT to Utica
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA There was a time when three-on-three overtime in the NHL and AHL was nothing but unbridled chaos on skates, an end-to-end demonstration of speed and skill that often produced a half-dozen or more prime scoring chances in the five-minute extra period. Today it often is a strategic chess match where possession of the puck is paramount and action is … [Read more...] about Amerks rally to pull even but lose in OT to Utica
Tenacious Amerks show plenty of snarl in last-minute victory
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA In recent years, if the Rochester Americans were going to defeat the Syracuse Crunch, they were more than likely going to rely on skill to do so. Speed, precise passing and bullseye shooting from a stable of gifted offensive forwards often was the recipe for winning. That was then, this is now. A little offseason retooling added grit, snarl and power … [Read more...] about Tenacious Amerks show plenty of snarl in last-minute victory
A night to forget for the Amerks; ‘it felt like we were a PeeWee team’
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA When Michael Leone walks into the dressing room to address the Rochester Americans after a game, it’s rarely a good sign. “I usually don’t talk to the team,” the second-year head coach said of his post-game routine. He made an exception on Wednesday night following a no-show performance by pretty much everyone other than goalie Devon Levi in what … [Read more...] about A night to forget for the Amerks; ‘it felt like we were a PeeWee team’
Odd bounce, lack of timely saves doom Amerks
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Early in the game, during a promotional timeout, the Rochester Americans took a moment to pay tribute to Bridgeport Islanders winger Chris Terry, announcing that the 16th-year veteran was playing in his 899th AHL game. In doing so, he passed Amerks Hall of Famer Dick Gamble for 16th on the league’s all-time list. Terry then made sure he showed the … [Read more...] about Odd bounce, lack of timely saves doom Amerks