Weissbach - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

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

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

Rochester Amerks stay red hot, defeat Hershey in conference final opener

Seven straight victories in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Forty-one goals scored during that torrid stretch.

In Tuesday’s AHL Eastern Conference final opener, the Rochester Americans stayed red hot, pouncing on the Hershey Bears early and cruising to a 5-1 win at Giant Center.

Defenseman Joseph Cecconi, a Youngstown native, scored 14 seconds into the contest before winger Brett Murray made it 2-0 at 9:04.... Read the full article

In prized Sabres prospect Matt Savoie, Rochester Amerks add new weapon

ROCHESTER – Before the Americans can think about utilizing slick Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie in the Calder Cup Playoffs, coach Seth Appert joked he needs to learn his new teammates’ names.

Savoie, 19, has experienced a whirlwind few days, traveling from Seattle, where his junior team lost in the Western Hockey League final, back to Winnipeg. Following some emotional goodbyes with his Ice teammates, he arrived in Western New York on Sunday.

After practicing ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Brett Murray hopes career year can create more chances with Sabres

ROCHESTER – A season after spending nearly two months in Buffalo and playing 19 NHL games, Sabres prospect Brett Murray stayed put in the AHL nearly all year.

Murray, 24, joined the Sabres just once, skating in the pregame warm-up Dec. 10 before getting scratched. They returned him to the Americans following the game.

The Sabres, of course, have beefed up their forward depth and prospect pool over the last year. They also remained remarkably ... Read the full article

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

Brett Murray, Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen help Amerks stay hot, beat Marlies

TORONTO – Brett Murray won a puck battle along the wall, knocking Pontus Holmberg down and igniting a scoring chance for the Rochester Americans. A few seconds later, the winger parked his hulking 6-foot-5, 228-pound frame in front of Marlies goalie Erik Kallgren, providing a perfect screen for defenseman Ethan Prow’s point shot.

Murray redirected the puck past Kallgren 18:16 into Thursday’s first period, putting the Amerks up 2-1 in a game they would win ... Read the full article

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

Offense, grit helping Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak stand out in Rochester

ROCHESTER – In the moment, Buffalo Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak had no idea he was fighting Tage Thompson’s brother.

“I just stood up and then we just went,” Kozak, a rookie forward with the Americans, said of his scrap with Utica Comets forward Tyce Thompson.

Kozak, 20, pummeled Thompson after getting knocked to the ice April 1, landing several uppercuts. Not surprisingly, the bout went viral because he trounced the brother of the Sabres’ ... Read the full article