Appert - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Rochester Amerks’ season ends with loss to Syracuse: ‘That one stings’

ROCHESTER – When the Syracuse Crunch pounced on the Americans early Friday, opening up a 2-0 lead before the 10-minute mark, few believed the visitors would run away with the decisive Game 5.

The first four meetings in the AHL North Division semifinal had been bitterly contested, with one goal deciding each game. The last three games had ended in overtime. In Game 4, the Amerks erased a three-goal, third-period deficit to force Friday’s contest.... Read the full article

Brett Murray developing in Rochester, sees future in Sabres organization

ROCHESTER – Winger Brett Murray grew up here as a player, developing from an unheralded Buffalo Sabres draft pick into one of the Americans’ top scorers and most versatile presences.

Five seasons ago, Murray, 25, arrived having just signed an AHL contract. While he was certainly an intriguing youngster, Buffalo’s previous regime wanted him to raise his conditioning to pro standards, so he did not receive an NHL deal.

Within a year, he earned his ... Read the full article

Seth Appert felt his Rochester Amerks would rally to win: ‘He truly believed’

ROCHESTER – As Americans goalie Devon Levi sat in the cramped visiting dressing room in Upstate Medical Arena soaking up Saturday’s unlikely 4-3 overtime victory, he noticed coach Seth Appert in the corner, admiring his team.

“Just so proud of us,” Levi said following Wednesday’s practice in Blue Cross Arena. “We were proud of each other.”

Appert then walked over and addressed his players, telling them, “Well, that’s exactly how we wrote it up.”

“And ... Read the full article

In grueling, high-stakes games, Sabres goalie prospect Devon Levi dazzles for Rochester Amerks

ROCHESTER – When the Syracuse Crunch increased its lead to a commanding 3-0 over the Americans on Saturday, goalie Devon Levi’s mind, only naturally, flashed to the summer.

The Amerks, after all, had to win Game 4 to stay alive in the best-of-five AHL North Division semifinal. They had scored just once in their previous seven periods.

Things probably felt bleak when they trailed by three goals after 40 minutes.

Of course, Levi, the Buffalo ... Read the full article

Faceoffs, tips doom Rochester in loss; Devon Levi shines for Amerks

ROCHESTER – On the bench in overtime, coach Seth Appert heard it. Center Tyson Kozak touched the puck, seemingly negating an icing call against the Americans.

Instead, the officials let the icing stand, sending the faceoff into the Rochester zone.

“It’s a terrible call,” Appert said following Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Syracuse Crunch in Game 2 of the AHL North Division semifinal. “Clear as day, and Kozak is honest as the day ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi dazzles in playoff debut as Rochester grabs lead

ROCHESTER – Following the Calder Cup Playoffs, Devon Levi will likely bid adieu to the minors for good. In his brief time here, the Sabres prospect has morphed into the Americans’ backbone, emerging as one of the AHL’s elite goalies.

Next season, Levi, 22, is expected to graduate to Buffalo, where he will compete for playing time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In the meantime, the rookie has an opportunity to lead the Amerks on a deep ... Read the full article

Rochester rookie Nikita Novikov looks like special Sabres defense prospect

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Nikita Novikov displayed special offensive instincts throughout his first regular season in North America.

“Borderline high-end,” said coach Seth Appert, whose Americans open the Calder Cup Playoffs tonight at Blue Cross Arena in a best-of-five series against the Syracuse Crunch.

Without the benefit of power-play time, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Novikov compiled 20 assists, a high total for a rookie acclimating to a different brand of hockey.... Read the full article

Could the Sabres promote Rochester Amerks coach Seth Appert to Buffalo?

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams wants his new head coach to have already run an NHL bench, so the Sabres likely won’t consider Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert for their open job.

“Previous NHL head coaching experience, pedigree, is important,” Adams said Tuesday in KeyBank Center after firing Don Granato.

Appert, 49, is a hockey lifer, having coached since his days as a college goalie ended in 1996. He has enjoyed success at ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi developing in Rochester, ready for playoffs

ROCHESTER – Prior to goalie Devon Levi’s uncharacteristically weak outing, coach Seth Appert said the Americans had the rookie tentatively scheduled to play again less than a day later.

Then after Levi allowed four goals in Friday’s 6-3 home loss to the Belleville Senators, Appert informed the Buffalo Sabres prospect he would be starting Saturday so he could “snap from what happened to prepare for what’s coming.”

“He didn’t perform to his standards on Friday, ... Read the full article

Sabres send rookie goalie Devon Levi to Rochester after two starts

The Buffalo Sabres this morning assigned goalie Devon Levi to Rochester, where he will resume his role as the Americans’ starter.

Amerks coach Seth Appert said Levi, 22, will start tonight’s home game against the Cleveland Monsters.

The rookie started twice following his recall March 16, allowing the Sabres to rest goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for one game during back-to-back sets.... Read the full article