By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA They had been the class of Section V hockey all season, overpowering opponents with a quick-strike offense and suffocating defense en route to a 20-1 record and the top seed in Class A. Along the way, they had gone nearly three months without a loss and came into Thursday’s sectional semifinal riding an 18-game winning streak. Within the Hilton … [Read more...] about Pesky Portside smothers top-seeded Hilton to earn spot in Class A finals
Aube-Kubel finding his stride as Amerks stay hot
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA There’s a bit of an unknown element when a veteran player who has spent considerable time in the NHL is reassigned to an American Hockey League team. Will they be bitter? Will there be a woe-is-me attitude? Will they buy into all that is their new team, when deep down they believe they should still be in the NHL? In the case of Nicolas Aube-Kubel, … [Read more...] about Aube-Kubel finding his stride as Amerks stay hot
Helenius the bringer of (teddy bear) rain as Levi, Amerks blank Toronto
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA It was Teddy Bear Toss Day at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial on Saturday evening. Popular across all levels of hockey, the promotion provides fun for fans while also helping to stock the toy shelves of a local charitable organization, in this case Pirate Toy Fund. Bring a stuffed animal – or 10 – and hurl it onto the ice when the Amerks score … [Read more...] about Helenius the bringer of (teddy bear) rain as Levi, Amerks blank Toronto
Johnson’s 1st pro goal helps Amerks power past Belleville
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA They had already scored four goals, all on the power play, and there was no doubt the Rochester Americans were well on their way to victory. Yet when Ryan Johnson zipped home a wrist shot from the left circle off the rush to give the Amerks a 5-1 lead just 49 seconds into the third period on Friday night, you’d have thought he’d just scored a … [Read more...] about Johnson’s 1st pro goal helps Amerks power past Belleville
Ostlund continues to score as Levi, Amerks blank Cleveland
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA If a player’s value was measured solely by goals and assists, then Noah Ostlund wouldn’t have been making much of an impression with the Rochester Americans. Through his first 15 games this season, the rookie center had produced just one goal and three assists. That doesn’t exactly scream first-round draft pick, even when factoring in the two months he … [Read more...] about Ostlund continues to score as Levi, Amerks blank Cleveland