By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA You know the bar is high when, after managing to gain a point from a 3-2 overtime loss against your long-time rival and virtual equal in the standings, your coach blasts your performance. Rightly so, mind you. While the Rochester Americans overcame an early 2-0 deficit and took the Syracuse Crunch to overtime, their play from first puck drop right up … [Read more...] about Amerks gain a point they didn’t really deserve
Kozak’s goal, scrap help power Amerks past Utica
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA He entered the season with far less fanfare than the high-round draft picks like Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen, Aleksandr Kisakov and Filip Cederqvist. Then again, Tyson Kozak wasn’t selected until the seventh and final round in 2021, going to the Buffalo Sabres with the 193rd overall selection. How could there be fanfare? But the 20-year-old center is … [Read more...] about Kozak’s goal, scrap help power Amerks past Utica
Weather for Red Wings opener was great … if you’re a duck or a diehard
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA They welcomed baseball back to downtown Rochester on Friday evening. Oh, it was by no means baseball weather; low 40s, dreary, overcast skies and a perpetual wind-blown drizzle. If you were a mallard, you loved it. You also loved it if you were a baseball fan, though, because, well, it meant baseball has returned. On any other day, 43 and a spitting … [Read more...] about Weather for Red Wings opener was great … if you’re a duck or a diehard
Lapse in coverage costs Amerks in overtime
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA For the better part of a month, the Rochester Americans have concentrated on playing a style conducive to springtime hockey. Their defensive zone play has improved dramatically and they’re able to defend without extended periods of chaos. Over the past eight games, they’ve allowed just 16 goals, a big reason they earned points in six of those … [Read more...] about Lapse in coverage costs Amerks in overtime
Ever-improving rookies Kulich, Rosen lead Amerks past Cleveland
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The Rochester Americans billed Sunday’s matinee against the Cleveland Monsters as Bills Day, complete with special football-style jerseys, endless renditions of “Shout” and the team’s Stampede drumline. Truth be told, however, it was really Kids’ Day. Jiri Kulich, still three weeks shy of his 19th birthday, scored the first two goals and Isak Rosen, … [Read more...] about Ever-improving rookies Kulich, Rosen lead Amerks past Cleveland