Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres AHL: Kale Clague grabs starring role for Rochester Amerks in playoffs

ROCHESTER – Technically, Americans defensemen Kale Clague had played a playoff game in pro hockey before last weekend.

In 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the AHL to play a truncated schedule, it did not hold the Calder Cup Playoffs. However, some Pacific Division teams held a small postseason tournament at the Anaheim Ducks’ practice facility with no fans in attendance.

Clague, 26, played one game for the Ontario Reign after the Los Angeles Kings ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi, Jiri Kulich star as Rochester Amerks grab 2-0 lead

ROCHESTER – Don’t let the 4-0 final fool you. For much of Sunday afternoon, the Americans held a tenuous grip on a one-goal lead against the Syracuse Crunch.

After rookie winger Konsta Helenius put them up early, the Amerks could’ve unraveled in the second period of Game 2 of their AHL North Division semifinal series.

The Crunch buzzed around goalie Devon Levi, outshooting the home team 15-6 and also hitting the post during a late ... Read the full article

Fourth-liners Brendan Warren, Riley Fiddler-Schultz help Rochester Amerks rally to win playoff opener

ROCHESTER – Mike Leone played at three colleges and grinded in the minors and Europe for three seasons before beginning the next phase of his hockey life. So the Americans coach has a soft spot for his depth players who have battled and waited for their opportunities.

Leone knows their buy-in and contributions are vital to a team’s success, especially in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

To wit: in Friday’s 3-2 win over the Syracuse Crunch ... Read the full article

After run with Sabres, ‘Mr. Responsible’ Tyson Kozak hopes to impact Rochester

ROCHESTER – Center Tyson Kozak’s latest stint with the Americans could be his last one. Having recently impressed the Sabres during a 21-game look, he appears ready to graduate to Buffalo next season and earn full-time duty.

His gritty, mature style might entrench him on the Sabres’ third or fourth line for years.

Of course, the oft-injured Kozak, who on Friday played in Game 1 of the AHL North Division semifinal against the Syracuse Crunch, ... Read the full article

After becoming Sabres’ No. 1 center, Jiri Kulich returns to Rochester Amerks for starring role in playoffs

ROCHESTER – Americans center Jiri Kulich has returned to where he starred for two seasons as a more accomplished and mature player.

When the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the AHL for a four-game stint in early November, they had just spent a month easing him into the lineup, playing the neophyte at the wing and occasionally scratching him.

Kulich, who will play for the Amerks in tonight’s opener of the Calder Cup Playoffs at ... Read the full article

Sabres send four prospects back to Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Friday sent four of their top forward prospects – Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen and Tyson Kozak – back the Rochester Americans.

Kulich, Ostlund, Rosen all played for the Sabres in Thursday’s season-ending 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center. They sat out Rochester’s home game Friday against the Toronto Marlies. Kozak has been out injured with a hip strain.

The Amerks have one regular-season game left ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi feels ‘lucky’ to earn Budweiser can by holding Alex Ovechkin goalless

Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Devon Levi considers himself fortunate. In his one career appearance against Alex Ovechkin, the greatest goal scorer in NHL history never landed his wicked one-timer on net.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” joked Levi, who has spent most of this season starring for the Rochester Americans.

On Nov. 22, 2023, Levi made 26 saves in his 15th start for the Sabres, a 4-3 overtime road loss to Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Connor Clifton adds first goal to stat line featuring more than 200 hits

BUFFALO – By his 71st appearance, Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton couldn’t get that goose egg attached to his name out of his head.

As a defender the Sabres value for his gritty play, they don’t expect him to produce much offense. Still, he wanted to score at least one goal this season.

“I was thinking about it, trying to get that zero to one,” he said prior to Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple ... Read the full article

Owen Power’s injury appears to be serious; Sabres to make recall

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Owen Power suffered what appears to be a serious injury when Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe fell on his left leg in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Don’t really have a time frame yet, but it looks to be (serious),” Ruff said of Power’s lower-body injury this morning in KeyBank Center.

Power’s season, of course, is over. Ruff said the youngster will be evaluated again today and later ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Ryan Miller happy in role as goalie scout and development coach with Sharks

ROCHESTER – Right now, Buffalo Sabres legend Ryan Miller is busy interviewing goalie prospects and writing reports, his final preparations for the NHL Draft.

Later this month, Miller, 44, will be in Texas watching prospects at the World Under-18 Junior Championship.

These days, Miller, who retired in 2021, works as a goalie scout and development coach for the San Jose Sharks. It’s a job, given his long and successful career and cerebral approach to hockey, ... Read the full article