By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The long-awaited next step in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's journey to Goalie of the Future for the Buffalo Sabres finally took place on Friday. The much-awaited end to the Rochester Americans slump did not. C.J. Smith's power play goal with 4:28 remaining in regulation sent the game to overtime, and it didn't end until Cleveland's Markus Hannikainen scored the … [Read more...] about Even UPL can’t save the Amerks from another loss
Matthews shines in first career start as RIT upends No. 13 UMass-Lowell
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA When you've been recruited to join an NCAA Division I hockey program, you already know you have some pretty solid credentials. But as a goaltender, until you actually get a chance to start a game, until your coaching staff shows confidence in you, well, you really don't know how you stack up to life in D-I. Kolby Matthews finally got to find out on … [Read more...] about Matthews shines in first career start as RIT upends No. 13 UMass-Lowell
Giveaways, and more giveaways doom slumping Amerks
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