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 assigned him to their top affiliate. The AHL counts those contests as playoffs appearances.
Still, what he experienced four years ago can’t compare to the real deal. Throughout Games 1 and 2 of the AHL North Division semifinal against the Syracuse Crunch, he performed like he has been waiting seven years for this opportunity.
In Friday’s 4-3 come-from-behind victory, Clague scored the winning goal in the third period.
In Sunday afternoon’s 4-0 win, Clague created a rebound for rookie winger Konsta Helenius to convert early by maneuvering at the point and deftly getting the puck through to the net. He earned another primary assist on center Jiri Kulich’s power-play goal late in the second period before scoring in the third.
Clague’s four points are tied for the postseason lead with five other players. His two goals and nine shots on goal also top the Amerks.
“Everything’s more amplified,” he said Sunday in Blue Cross Arena after his exploits helped the Amerks grab a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. “Yeah, it’s exciting hockey. It’s easy to get up for.”
Clague, who has played 94 NHL games, including 36 for the Sabres, got up to Buffalo just once this season, his third in the organization. In training camp, he accompanied the Sabres on their season-opening trip to Europe. After serving as an extra defenseman, they assigned him to Rochester.
This season marked the first time since 2018-19, his first year as a pro, he did not play in the NHL.
But Clague seized his prime opportunity in Rochester, setting career highs by recording 10 goals and 39 points in 69 games.
He has quickly reached another level in the playoffs.
“Claguer’s just excited,” Amerks coach Mike Leone said. “He’s played pro hockey for seven years. He’s never played in the playoffs. I think (he wants) to live in the moment and just come up with big plays. He has an ability to play and just calm the game down and just play his game. The moment’s not too big for him.”
Hele…right place, right time…. 1-0, GOOD GUYS #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/H45zTxU8JH
— X-Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 27, 2025
A Claguer from the left point… LET’S GO #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/tXxFvGR4sy
— X-Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 26, 2025