By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The regular season provides an opportunity for hockey players to show what they’re capable of doing on the ice, where their skillset is evaluated and on display. The postseason is where they show what they’re made of. It’s a series of tests where drive and determination are measured on a par with goals, assists and saves. The Rochester Americans … [Read more...] about Amerks falter badly and now face a winner-moves-on showdown in Utica
With Mersch out for Game 4, Amerks may need even more from Rousek
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA For six months, Lukas Rousek could only make an educated guess on what playing in the American Hockey League would be like. When he signed his two-year, entry level contract with the Buffalo Sabres in April and prepared to leave the Czech Republic for New York, he had fully intended to use this season to prove his talents. But during training camp, … [Read more...] about With Mersch out for Game 4, Amerks may need even more from Rousek
Ruotsalainen’s OT goal has Amerks on verge of advancement
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Arttu Ruotsalainen has had the hot hand ever since the playoffs began, showing an innate ability to find the net regardless of the angle, the traffic or the positioning of the goaltender. But in overtime on Sunday night, when Peyton Krebs made a seeing-eye laser pass from the left wing to Ruotsalainen in the right circle, the guy with the magic wand for … [Read more...] about Ruotsalainen’s OT goal has Amerks on verge of advancement
Peterka’s hat trick powers Amerks to overtime win
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA UTICA – JJ Peterka admits the physicality of the Calder Cup playoffs took him a bit by surprise. But as everyone learns, open ice that was prevalent in the regular season disappears with a championship on the line. Players that maybe didn’t play an in-your-face style now suddenly won’t pass up a chance to lower the boom. Guess what? Four games into … [Read more...] about Peterka’s hat trick powers Amerks to overtime win
Amerks squander early lead, drop series opener to Utica
BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA UTICA – Just as the public address announcer at the Adirondack Bank Center proclaimed one minute remained, the human whiteout that was the sellout crowd of 3,917 began to chant, “We want the Cup! We want the Cup!” And while it may be a little early to start planning a Calder Cup parade in the Mohawk Valley – after all, Tuesday night’s 6-3 victory over … [Read more...] about Amerks squander early lead, drop series opener to Utica