Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Rookies Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek star as Rochester Amerks stay alive

In losing three straight games and moving to the brink of elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Rochester Americans suddenly had trouble scoring goals.

After scoring 41 times during a rollicking seven-game winning streak, they mustered just four goals against the Hershey Bears’ stifling defense.

Rookies Jiri Kulich and Lukas Rousek and captain Michael Mersch, three of the Amerks’ top forwards, combined for zero goals during that rough stretch.... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks implode late against Hershey, on brink of elimination; Matthew Savoie scratched

ROCHESTER – Having stared down elimination three times earlier in the Calder Cup Playoffs, it might be premature to write off the Americans.

When they faced a win-or-go-home scenario in the AHL North Division semifinals, they responded by rattling off seven straight wins.

They’ve thrived under adversity. So perhaps they can rebound from Monday’s emotional 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Still, following their third-period implosion, it’s ... Read the full article

Sabres and city helped Ryan Johnson choose Buffalo: ‘Right in my heart’

ROCHESTER – Ryan Johnson acknowledged that, yes, free agency was tempting. As the defense prospect agonized over whether to sign with the Buffalo Sabres and sought the advice of others, he heard where he might fit well elsewhere.

“It’s like, ‘Oh, wow, you get to choose where you want to go?’” Johnson said Monday after skating with the Americans for the first time.

While the open market intrigued Johnson, he knew rejecting the Sabres would ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks lose, fall behind to Hershey: ‘Tackle football out there’

ROCHESTER – After the Americans opened the AHL Eastern Conference finals by scoring another five goals, it felt like their offense might overwhelm another opponent.

In winning two Calder Cup Playoffs series, the Amerks averaged six goals a game in their six victories. They seemed to be picking up where they left off.

But in Games 2 and 3 against the Hershey Bears, the Amerks have been forced to play what coach Seth Appert called ... Read the full article

After wait, Sabres sign prospect Ryan Johnson to entry-level contract

As each day passed and defense prospect Ryan Johnson moved closer to free agency, it seemed less likely he would sign with the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres spoke to Johnson, the 31st overall pick in 2019, in April after his collegiate season at Minnesota ended and said they wanted to sign him. Then they began waiting.

The ball, general manager Kevyn Adams said last month, was in Johnson’s court.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau offers Amerks another intriguing rookie

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau needed this new experience. Earlier this month, the end of his junior career angered him.

Nadeau, 20, enjoyed a terrific year with the Gatineau Olympiques, a team built to win a championship this season. After recovering from shoulder surgery, he scored 22 times in 34 games, including a four-goal outing Feb. 9. Gatineau, which acquired him in the offseason, named him captain just 18 games into his tenure.... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo wants Sabres to embrace expectations, set Stanley Cup goal

Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo was about to put his son, Odin, to bed when he received a call that his new one-year, $2.5 million contract had been completed.

Moments later, when Odin walked out to brush his teeth, Okposo told him that he would be playing another season.

“His reaction was worth it,” an emotional Okposo said on a Zoom call Thursday. “Sometimes I forget how much it means to them, especially my older ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks’ torrid stretch ends in loss to Bears; Sabres prospect Matt Savoie makes pro debut

It turns out the Rochester Americans can be stopped.

Not only did they lose Thursday, ending a seven-game winning streak during the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Hershey Bears shut them out.

In beating the Amerks 2-0 at Giant Center, the Bears tied the best-of-seven AHL Eastern Conference final 1-1 and sent a strong message they won’t go away quietly.

The Amerks entered the game on a tear, having scored 41 goals during their torrid stretch. ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Russian prospect Vsevolod Komarov to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday signed Russian defenseman Vsevolod Komarov, a fifth-round pick in 2022, 134th overall, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Komarov, 19, registered 12 goals, 39 points and 60 penalty minutes in 62 regular-season games with the Quebec Remparts this season. He recently scored one goal and seven points in 17 playoff games as the Remparts captured the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship.

The Remparts begin play tonight in the Memorial ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Linus Weissbach adds grittiness to game for Amerks: ‘A rat’

ROCHESTER – Linus Weissbach doesn’t consider his stark transformation over the past two seasons a change. The Buffalo Sabres prospect still showcases the skills that helped him enjoy a terrific college career and make a quick impact with the Americans.

“It’s more about kind of adding to,” the winger told the Times Herald last Wednesday in Blue Cross Arena. “I think everything I do has kind of brought me to this point.”

OK, call it ... Read the full article