By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The playoff hockey traditions run deep at Webster Thomas High School. Game-day team breakfasts at T's Family Restaurant. The bleaching of hair by pretty much every player when sectionals begin. And winning. Except this year, senior forward Cullen Hennessy opted against a change of hair color. "I did it last year and it lasted until mid-July," he said. … [Read more...] about Hennessy sends Thomas to Class B title game
Disappointing week ends for Luukkonen and the Amerks
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Throughout the season, Rochester Americans general manager Randy Sexton had said the development process for a young goaltender is a marathon, not a sprint. You can't rush them through any phase. You can't be fooled by a stretch of strong play and think they're farther along than they really are. We saw this week how very true that is for Ukko-Pekka … [Read more...] about Disappointing week ends for Luukkonen and the Amerks
Bryson lifts Amerks in overtime
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Way back on opening night, Rochester Americans assistant coach Gord Dineen talked about how impressed he was with the skating abilities of rookie defenseman Jacob Bryson. But only over the past few weeks has Bryson really begun to show what he's capable of producing. It's amazing what a shot of confidence can do. Bryson continued his emergence on Friday … [Read more...] about Bryson lifts Amerks in overtime
Amerks learn why Belleville is the team to beat
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA If the Rochester Americans were realistically going to take a run at first place in the American Hockey League's North Division, then victory on Wednesday night was paramount. The Belleville Senators came to Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial with a seven-point lead over the second-place Amerks. They left with an eight-point lead — and left behind a … [Read more...] about Amerks learn why Belleville is the team to beat
Luukkonen’s last-minute heroics save Amerks
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Of the 6,769 fans, 40 players, two referees, two linesmen, plus the dozens of support personnel in Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial on late Sunday afternoon, all but three no doubt thought the Rochester Americans had just bungled sure victory in the final minute. "I'm sure it went through everybody's mind," Amerks coach Chris Taylor admitted. … [Read more...] about Luukkonen’s last-minute heroics save Amerks