By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The game wasn’t even 14 minutes old and Linus Weissbach had to be wondering if life on the ice could get any worse. His turnover just outside the Rochester Americans blue line led to a goal by Brian Halonen, giving the Utica Comets a 1-0 lead at 8:43. Five minutes later, Weissbach couldn’t coral a bouncing puck in the slot in the Utica zone, and … [Read more...] about Amerks rally past Utica with third-period flash-and-dash
Bartkowski happy to be back on the ice; Amerks thump Syracuse
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA At age 34, Matt Bartkowski is by no means young in hockey years, and maybe not even all that young at heart. There are 12 full seasons of professional hockey and 715 regular-season games on his resume, with NHL stops in Boston, Vancouver, Calgary and Minnesota. When he speaks, he very much presents the voice of experience. He’s hardly ready to stop … [Read more...] about Bartkowski happy to be back on the ice; Amerks thump Syracuse
Cassaro continues to pile up points as RIT defeats Holy Cross
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA You may never get a second chance to make a first impression, but Gianfranco Cassaro is proof you do sometimes get a second chance at what could have been. Once very high on the recruiting list of players to pursue for the coaching staff at Rochester Institute of Technology, Cassaro instead opted to attend the University of Massachusetts. But two … [Read more...] about Cassaro continues to pile up points as RIT defeats Holy Cross
Murray’s buzzer-beater propels Amerks past Syracuse
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA In hindsight, rather than trying to keep possession of the puck and break out of the defensive zone cleanly, Brett Murray should have just played it safe and chipped it out. Instead, the ensuing turnover on a mix-up between Murray and Mason Jobst cost the Rochester Americans the lead with under eight minutes remaining on Friday night. But Murray … [Read more...] about Murray’s buzzer-beater propels Amerks past Syracuse
Determined to find his game, Bjork provides victory in Amerks debut
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The 75-minute drive down the New York State Thruway from Buffalo to Rochester can provide plenty of time for quiet reflection, as Anders Bjork learned. One day you’re in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres; the next day you’re headed to the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans. For the past three years, Bjork had been a National Hockey Leaguer, … [Read more...] about Determined to find his game, Bjork provides victory in Amerks debut