By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Charlotte Checkers provided a perfect example of where the Rochester Americans are as a team heading down the stretch. When they play the elite teams in the American Hockey League, and at 40-21-5 it could be argued the Checkers certainly are among the best, the Amerks simply can’t make glaring mistakes. They also need … [Read more...] about Critical turnover dooms Amerks in loss to Charlotte
Amerks
Amerks finally win a shootout, bolster playoff chances
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
Wahlberg, Kuntar score clutch goals to power Amerks past Toronto
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA For Rochester Americans forward Anton Wahlberg, growth throughout the season has been steady, though not necessarily rapid. Nearing the end of his second full year in the American Hockey League, the 20-year-old Swede continues to learn how to use his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame to his advantage on the wall and in traffic; how to use his skating to more … [Read more...] about Wahlberg, Kuntar score clutch goals to power Amerks past Toronto
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