By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The shootout definitely has not been a friend to the Rochester Americans this season. Heading into Sunday, they had lost all four games settled by the skills-competition tiebreaker. Even worse, as a team, Amerk shooters were just 2-for-22. It’s hard to imagine being much worse in the breakaway showdowns. But on Sunday evening, Konsta Helenius and … [Read more...] about Amerks finally win a shootout, bolster playoff chances
AHL
Hat trick by Helenius powers Amerks past Hartford
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The role for Konsta Helenius has changed ever since linemate Isak Rosen was traded away two weeks ago by the soaring-toward-the-top Buffalo Sabres. “When I played with Rosie, Rosie was the goal-scorer and I was the passer,” Helenius said. “But I like to score goals too.” On Sunday, Helenius showed that he’s pretty good at it. The second-year … [Read more...] about Hat trick by Helenius powers Amerks past Hartford
Penalties, goaltending doom Amerks in loss to Crunch
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA With the roster the Rochester Americans have right now, mistakes in what often is a game of mistakes become oh-so-costly. As coach Michael Leone said, there’s little margin for error. Thus, when the Amerks took three consecutive minor penalties in a span of 5:32 in the middle chunk of the second period, they weren’t just tempting fate, they were … [Read more...] about Penalties, goaltending doom Amerks in loss to Crunch
Kuntar’s OT goal allows Amerks to finally celebrate a victory
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA When you go 27 days without experiencing thrill of victory, when an entire month has been nothing but the agony of defeat, there’s good reason for a display of unbridled joy after an overtime victory. Which is why Trevor Kuntar went on a victory sprint – from the blue line at the Court Street end of Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial to the faceoff … [Read more...] about Kuntar’s OT goal allows Amerks to finally celebrate a victory
Special teams flop as Amerks winless skid reaches nine
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA It doesn’t seem all that long ago that the Rochester Americans were firmly in second place in the American Hockey League’s North Division and providing hints that they could at least make a little noise in the Calder Cup playoffs. Fast-forward to today and they’ve become a team that can no longer score goals or win games. Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the … [Read more...] about Special teams flop as Amerks winless skid reaches nine