By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Before the Calder Cup playoffs begin for the Rochester Americans, there is the formality of finishing the regular season this week. And while the final three games don't have massive importance — it's pick your poison with either first-round opponent, the Syracuse Crunch or Toronto Marlies — the Amerks did crank up the intensity on Wednesday … [Read more...] about Amerks lose as tune-up for the playoffs begins
War Memorial
Amerks’ Paetsch mourns for families back home in Humboldt bus tragedy
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA As Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial went silent on Saturday night to pay respect for the victims of the junior hockey bus crash in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, the magnitude of the tragedy hit Nathan Paetsch much harder. The bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos Tier II junior team collided with a tractor-trailer in near Tisdale, Sask., near … [Read more...] about Amerks’ Paetsch mourns for families back home in Humboldt bus tragedy
Blackwell shines (again), Gill scores OT winner for Amerks
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA So here's a question. Can a leading candidate for Rochester Americans' Rob Zabelny Award as the unsung hero disqualify himself by becoming too "sung?" Colin Blackwell is sure trying to do just that. After five months of being most noticed for his passion, his willingness to hit, his desire to win and his relentless work ethic, the second-year … [Read more...] about Blackwell shines (again), Gill scores OT winner for Amerks
With playoffs just around the corner, Amerks lay an egg
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA With the start of the Calder Cup playoffs right around the corner, Friday's performance by the Rochester Americans wasn't exactly worthy of the post-season. It may not have been worthy of December. The Amerks gave up four second-period goals, including three in the first 4:11, and lost to the Belleville Senators 5-1 at Blue Cross Arena at the War … [Read more...] about With playoffs just around the corner, Amerks lay an egg
Gionta’s Olympic tuneup with the Amerks gold-medal worthy
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Before he skates onto the Olympic stage in South Korea next weekend, Brian Gionta played a little Rochester Americans hockey — Hollywood style — on Friday night. Billed long ago as Hometown Heroes Night, this was a movie script game to be sure. Gionta's cameo appearance merely accentuated the promotion which honored local members of law enforcement, … [Read more...] about Gionta’s Olympic tuneup with the Amerks gold-medal worthy