By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA For a significant portion of Friday’s night’s game, the Rochester Americans relied on Devon Levi’s big-save goaltending to keep them in it. “Honestly, he was unreal, he made so many big-time saves,” center Tyson Kozak said. But after the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins crept within a goal and were applying extra-attacker pressure in the final two … [Read more...] about Mersch, Levi shine as Amerks win, but Kulich leaves due to injury
Amerks squander early lead, fall to Crunch in OT
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA When it comes to style of play and strategy, there are no secrets any time the Rochester Americans and Syracuse Crunch play. There’s not much free space on the ice, either. With a dozen regular season games against each other – nearly 17 percent of the entire season – and, in the case of last season, a five-game playoff series, the teams know each … [Read more...] about Amerks squander early lead, fall to Crunch in OT
Gonsalves, Catalano fuel RIT’s comeback victory
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The coaching staff had finished their spiel after the second period and left the dressing room when the players for Rochester Institute of Technology engaged in their own little chat. Down 2-0 after two periods against seventh-place Niagara University on Saturday night, the Tigers were in danger of losing to another lesser opponent and falling out of … [Read more...] about Gonsalves, Catalano fuel RIT’s comeback victory
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, … [Read more...] about Kulich, Rosen slumps magnified in Amerks 2-1 loss to Crunch
Amerks rookie Neuchev elevating his game, with an assist to Google Translate
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The list of teaching aids used by the Rochester Americans coaching staff is extensive, from video clips and whiteboards to on-ice drills and sessions in the shooting room. Oh, and Google Translate. At least when it comes to making sure rookie winger Viktor Neuchev fully understands the message. Playing in North America for the first time, the … [Read more...] about Amerks rookie Neuchev elevating his game, with an assist to Google Translate