By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Ar first, the Rochester Americans preferred to look at their recent struggles as merely a bit of a funk, the kind of not-good/not-horrible stretch that many teams go through over the course of a 76-game season. Friday's 5-1 loss on home ice to the Belleville Senators, however, confirmed this is no mid-season blip. This is a bonafide slump. A misplay … [Read more...] about Giveaways, and more giveaways doom slumping Amerks
Listless Amerks lose (again) to Binghamton
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Casey Mittelstadt has regained his scoring touch, so the Rochester Americans can feel good about that. Sent down by the Buffalo Sabres after scoring just one goal in 22 games, the second-year centerman has goals in three straight with the Amerks, including one Wednesday night. And that's pretty much the end of the positives from a 4-3 shootout loss to the … [Read more...] about Listless Amerks lose (again) to Binghamton
Joffe’s shootout goal gives RIT victory
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The flu bug, or some ailment, has taken a toll on the RIT men's hockey team this week. Not everyone could play in Friday's game against Canisius. And not everyone who did play skated with the tank on full. So of course the Tigers ended up playing 10 minutes of overtime, and then went to a shootout. "We're pretty sick right now collectively as a team," Tigers … [Read more...] about Joffe’s shootout goal gives RIT victory
Pilut’s poise (and talent) carries Amerks to buzzer-beating victory
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Sometimes, it's best to be a little a little crowd-deaf, to possess the ability to block out the frantic screams of "shoooooooot" and concentrate on what narrow passing or shooting lane may actually exist. Lawrence Pilut has that ability, and put it on display in scoring the tying goal with under seven minutes to play on Friday night. But sometimes, as … [Read more...] about Pilut’s poise (and talent) carries Amerks to buzzer-beating victory
Amerks keep rolling as injured players return
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Having gone 39 days without playing a game because of injury, C.J. Smith was eager to finally get back in the Rochester Americans lineup on Wednesday night. "You're out for a long time, you just want to be part of it," Smith said. Now imagine how Taylor Leier felt. Because of off-season shoulder surgery, his last game was April 29, 216 long days ago. "The … [Read more...] about Amerks keep rolling as injured players return