By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA SYRACUSE – The clean-up crew was all that remained inside Upstate Medical University Arena late Thursday night but the scoreboard – with the final score and shot totals – remained illuminated. The shot counter read Syracuse Crunch 62, Rochester Americans 34. The final score: a hard-to-fathom 2-1 in favor of the Crunch after 90 minutes and 18 seconds of … [Read more...] about Despite Levi’s 60 saves, Amerks fall to Crunch in double OT
Amerks’ faceoff losses lead to playoff loss as Crunch even series
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA As analytics continue to have a greater influence on hockey, there’s a school of thought that suggests faceoffs don’t matter, that winning and losing a draw isn’t the end-all, be-all. Unless you lose that faceoff to the Syracuse Crunch. The Crunch scored three tip-in goals immediately after they cleanly won three faceoffs, including the game-winner … [Read more...] about Amerks’ faceoff losses lead to playoff loss as Crunch even series
Swedish power carries Amerks past Syracuse in playoff opener
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Just one game into the Rochester Americans unveiling of their promotional mantra for this spring’s 2024 Calder Cup playoffs – Proud to be Pesky – it’s already time for a change. The new rallying cry: How Swede it is. Swedish-born forwards Anton Wahlberg, Noah Östlund and Isak Rosen scored the goals and Devon Levi stopped 35 shots –including a … [Read more...] about Swedish power carries Amerks past Syracuse in playoff opener
‘Gritty’ Amerks win finale but settle for 2nd; face Crunch to start playoffs
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The scoreboard will say the defining moments in the Rochester Americans regular season finale at Utica took place in a 30-second stretch early in the third period. That’s when Ethan Prow and Isak Rosen scored 30 seconds apart, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. But the true defining moments of what the Amerks are all about as a team came in the … [Read more...] about ‘Gritty’ Amerks win finale but settle for 2nd; face Crunch to start playoffs
Division title for Amerks in jeopardy after loss to Cleveland
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- All season – actually, for three seasons – Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert has praised the top-to-bottom quality of the American Hockey League’s North Division. “Every night you’re fighting for your life,” he said Friday night. “You better have it or you’re going to lose.” Sometimes you will lose even when you have it, even … [Read more...] about Division title for Amerks in jeopardy after loss to Cleveland