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
WNY Sports
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
Niagara hands RIT first loss in six games
A week after sweeping Bentley University, RIT fell to Niagara, 4-1. It was the Tigers' first loss in three meetings to their Atlantic Hockey rivals this season. Freshman forward Andrew Rinaldi netted his 10th goal of the season, but Niagara ran with an early lead to pin RIT with its first loss in six games. Junior defenseman Jared Brandt initiated scoring 12:14 into the first … [Read more...] about Niagara hands RIT first loss in six games
After last week’s wake-up call, how will Bonnies respond?
By CHUCKIE MAGGIO Contrary to popular cliché, no film has ever been set ablaze or otherwise destroyed in Mark Schmidt’s coaching career. Schmidt steadfastly dismissed the idea of “burning the tape,” even when that tape is a lowlight reel of St. Bonaventure’s blowout home loss to Davidson last Friday. A video with no objective rewatch value may prove invaluable as the Bonnies … [Read more...] about After last week’s wake-up call, how will Bonnies respond?
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