Matt Savoie mostly skated on the fourth line Thursday. ©2023, Tori Hartman, Hershey Bears

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

Jiri Kulich celebrates his first-period power-play goal Saturday. ©2023, Toronto Marlies

Jiri Kulich extends goal streak, six other Amerks score in win over Marlies

TORONTO – In his first taste of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich has quickly morphed into the Rochester Americans’ offensive catalyst, scoring in each of his five games.

It’s no coincidence the Amerks, after Saturday afternoon’s 7-4 win over the Toronto Marlies in Game 2 of the AHL North Division final, are 5-0 with the rookie center in the lineup.

At just 19, Kulich is one game shy of tying the ... Read the full article

Sean Malone celebrates his second-period goal Friday. ©2023, Rochester Americans

Amerks captain Michael Mersch, Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich star in playoff win

ROCHESTER – Three goals from captain Michael Mersch, more than the Americans had in their first two playoff games. An early score from rookie Isak Rosen, whose play, coach Seth Appert acknowledged, wasn’t good enough early in the series. The late go-ahead goal from rookie Jiri Kulich, who missed the first two contests.

After falling in a 2-0 hole in their best-of-five AHL North Division semifinal series, the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate sorely needed its best ... Read the full article

Buffalo prospect Filip Cederqvist is learning to utilize his big body in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

After slow start, Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist scoring goals for Amerks; Jiri Kulich close to returning from injury

ROCHESTER – Earlier in his career, Buffalo Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist never paid much of a price if he skated to the net.

In his native Sweden, Cederqvist said, you’re not allowed to box out.

“You can just almost stand in front of the net and nothing’s going to happen,” he told the Times Herald on Tuesday following the Americans’ off-ice workout in Blue Cross Arena.

Cederqvist has learned when he tries to park his ... Read the full article

Filip Cederqvist celebrates one of his goals in Friday’s loss. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Despite scoring twice, Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist costs Amerks win

ROCHESTER – In scoring his first two goals for the Americans, rookie Filip Cederqvist showcased why he has developed into one of the Buffalo Sabres’ most intriguing forward prospects.

Early in the second period of Friday’s 6-5 overtime loss, Cederqvist, 22, grabbed Isak Rosen’s pass beside the net on the power play and quickly stuffed the puck past Cleveland Monsters goalie Daniil Tarasov.

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound Cederqvist scored another power-play goal midway through the period, ... Read the full article

Buffalo drafted Aleksandr Kisakov in 2021. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Aleksandr Kisakov acclimating to AHL with Amerks

So far, Buffalo Sabres prospect Aleksandr Kisakov hasn’t been rewarded on the score sheet. Through his first five AHL games, the Russian winger has registered zero points despite pumping 10 shots on goal, the Rochester Americans’ fourth-highest total.

As the undersized rookie’s shot tally illustrates, he has been creating offense as he tries to make the difficult adjustment to North American hockey and a new culture at just 19.

“He’s been extremely effective for a ... Read the full article

Matt Savoie played three preseason games for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres trim roster, send Matt Savoie to junior, 21 players to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday assigned center Matt Savoie to his junior team and loaned 21 players to the Rochester Americans, their AHL affiliate.

They have 31 healthy players left in training camp. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m. on Oct. 10.

The Sabres gave Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, a long look during camp, awarding him three preseason games before sending to the Winnipeg Ice. Savoie, 18, was ... Read the full article

Eric Comrie signed with Buffalo during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie set to make debut with slew of prospects

BUFFALO – After watching the first two preseason games, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie will likely be making his debut in tonight’s road contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Sabres, of course, expect Comrie, 27, to play a significant number of games this season or earn the starting job. He signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract during the offseason.

The rest of tonight’s game roster features mostly prospects and players ticketed for the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article

Matt Savoie also played in Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Matt Savoie impressing Sabres; Buffalo to utilize strong lineup against Flyers

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has integrated so quickly that coach Don Granato feels comfortable playing the rookie between veterans.

So tonight, less than a week into his first NHL training camp, Savoie, 18, will center Casey Mittelstadt and Kyle Okposo against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, also played in Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener, a 4-3 overtime road win against the Washington Capitals.... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens scores on goalie Malcolm Subban in Saturday’s scrimmage. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

After starring for Team Canada, Sabres’ Dylan Cozens confident he can score

BUFFALO – Before Sabres center Dylan Cozens left following last season to represent Team Canada at the World Championship, general manager Kevyn Adams asked him what he wanted to accomplish.

Adams told Cozens, 21, that he shouldn’t travel to Finland to simply play more hockey – he wanted him to set a goal for the tournament.

Cozens, having slumped at the end of his second NHL season, tallying just once in his final 29 games, ... Read the full article