Amerks

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA There’s a popular video captured from the Florida Panthers run to the Stanley Cup last spring that’s splattered across seemingly every social media platform. With his team leading the second-round series 3-1 against the Boston Bruins, Panthers coach Paul Maurice unleashes a one-for-the-ages verbal tirade on the bench during Game 5. It lasts all of 14 … [Read more...] about In playoff hockey, physicality often trumps skill, as the Amerks learned

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA In his 9 ½ minute post-game media session on Sunday evening, seven times Rochester Americans coach Michael Leone said the Laval Rocket “were just better tonight” and eight times he said “they were really good tonight.” Combined, that’s 15 references to how well the Rocket played in the deciding fifth game of the Calder Cup North Division finals. In … [Read more...] about Laval dominates deciding 5th game to end Amerks season

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Since the first shift of Game 1 in this Calder Cup North Division finals series, the Laval Rocket have barged, barreled and banged their way into Devon Levi’s goal crease whenever possible – and sometimes when it wasn’t possible, or legal. For the Rocket, rattling Levi seems to be Priority 1 in the best-of-five playoff showdown with the Rochester … [Read more...] about Rattle the Amerks goalie? Bring it on, Levi says

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The contributions by Josh Dunne usually aren’t measured by the scoresheet, which is why the Rochester Americans centerman was named winner of the Rob Zabelny Unsung Hero Award this season. But a whole lot of people were singing his praises on Friday night, when he did his usual determined work in the faceoff circle, on the boards, as a penalty killer … [Read more...] about Dunne’s 4-point night keeps Amerks alive, sets up Game 5 showdown

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA On Friday night, Laval Rocket winger Florian Xhekaj was the goat, and not in a Tom Brady kind of way. His foolish goaltender interference penalty led to the winning goal, enabling the Rochester Americans to win Game 2 and even the best-of-five Calder Cup North Division finals. On Wednesday night, Xhekaj was one of the heroes for the Rocket. His first … [Read more...] about Laval’s quick 3rd-period blitz dooms Amerks