Utica’s Nolan Foote scores a first-period goal on Rochester goalie Aaron Dell on Tuesday.

Amerks fall to Comets, can’t close out series: ‘Wanted to finish it off now’

ROCHESTER – In opening up a series lead and putting the Utica Comets on the brink of elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Americans hadn’t seen the best out of the AHL powerhouse.

The top-seeded Comets only showcased flashes of their slick regular-season form throughout the first three games of best-of-five AHL North Division semifinal. In a do-or-die scenario Tuesday, you figured they would come out roaring.

Well, in Game 4, the Comets gave ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka (77) and Mitch Eliot celebrate a Rochester goal on Sunday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect JJ Peterka becoming dominant presence with Amerks

ROCHESTER – JJ Peterka could be one-and-done in the AHL. The Buffalo Sabres prospect just enjoyed the greatest offensive campaign in a teenage season since 1976. Over the weekend, the German winger was the most dynamic player in the Calder Cup Playoffs, recording five points, including a hat trick, in two Americans wins.

After a 28-goal, 68-point regular season, the excitement and pressure that accompanies postseason hockey has helped Peterka transform into a dominant presence.... Read the full article

Rochester’s Lukas Rousek beats Utica goalie Akira Schmid on Sunday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek growing comfortable with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Considering the Americans boast one of the AHL’s deepest forward groups, it’s easy for rookie winger Lukas Rousek to be overshadowed.

In center Peyton Krebs and wingers JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn and Arttu Ruotsalainen, they possess four of the AHL’s top young talents.

Sean Malone and Michael Mersch each cracked the 20-goal mark. Brandon Biro, Mark Jankowski and Brett Murray all spent time with the Buffalo Sabres this season.... Read the full article

Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has learned playoff hockey is intense. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

After dynamic season, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn adjusting to playoff hockey

ROCHESTER – Right now, winger Jack Quinn acknowledged he’s frustrated. In the Americans’ first three playoff games, opponents neutralized the slick Buffalo Sabres prospect, holding him pointless.

How significant is that? Well, in establishing himself as one of the AHL premier talents this season, Quinn never went more than two games without recording a point.

“As an offensive player, we all want to produce and score,” Quinn said following Thursday’s practice at Blue Cross Arena. ... Read the full article

Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has been a force all season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Dynamic season earns Sabres prospect Jack Quinn AHL top rookie honors

Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn, who has enjoyed a dynamic season with the Rochester Americans, has been named the AHL’s Dudley Garrett Memorial Award as rookie of the year, the league announced this afternoon.

Quinn, 20, scored four times in the opening week and hasn’t let up, compiling 25 goals and 59 points in 44 games entering tonight’s season finale against the Utica Comets. His 1.34 points per game ranks first among rookies and ... Read the full article

Buffalo prospect JJ Peterka leads AHL rookies in scoring. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospects JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn earn honors from AHL

Buffalo Sabres forward prospects JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn have earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors for their dynamic seasons with the Rochester Americans, the league announced Wednesday.

Peterka, 20, leads all rookies with 64 points in 69 games and has also scored 25 goals, a total that is tied with Quinn for third among first-year players. Peterka’s 39 assists rank third among rookies.

The German, who turned 20 on Jan. 14, has registered the most ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn beats Springfield’s Joel Hofer in Tuesday’s shootout. ©2022, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn scores slick shootout goal for Amerks

ROCHESTER – Sabres prospect Jack Quinn has utilized the scintillating moves at least three times to score highlight-reel shootout goals for the Americans.

“I’m just coming down the right side and kind of cutting into the hash marks,” Quinn told the Times Herald after using the moves to score again in Tuesday’s 3-2 win at Blue Cross Arena.

Then Quinn, 20, fakes a shot and the fun begins. If the goalie bites, as the Springfield ... Read the full article

Arrtu Ruotsalainen has become one of the AHL’s elite scorers. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Amerks’ Arttu Ruotsalainen sees future with Sabres, hasn’t signed in Europe

ROCHESTER – For three and a half months, Buffalo Sabres prospect Arttu Ruotsalainen has been on a scoring tear, developing into one of the AHL’s most lethal threats.

Ruotsalainen, 24, earned AHL Player of the Month honors for March, compiling eight goals and 18 points in 13 outings for the Rochester Americans.

Overall, the Finnish center has recorded 18 goals and 50 points in 51 games with the Amerks this season, including 18 goals and ... Read the full article

Sean Malone has enjoyed a breakout season in Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sean Malone’s career season filled with growth, frustration in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Ten minutes after the Americans blew a late two-goal lead Sunday afternoon and fell out of a playoff spot, center Sean Malone hadn’t let go of the potentially devastating loss.

In the hallway outside the dressing room in Blue Cross Arena, an agitated Malone searched for the right words to describe his feelings.

“A lot of it falls on me,” Malone said following the stunning 6-5 overtime loss, a game in which the ... Read the full article

Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has been on a tear all season with Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn dazzles for Amerks in return from injury

ROCHESTER – In the opening minutes of Friday’s third period, Americans center Mark Jankowski fought off a defender behind the net and laid the puck on the doorstep for his linemate, Jack Quinn, to convert.

When goal scorers receive a nifty pass like that in close, they shoot, oh, just about every time. But Quinn, the most dangerous threat the Amerks have had in a long time, displayed poise under pressure, quickly dishing the puck ... Read the full article