Amerks squeak into the play-offs

[swiper]

A little more experience under pressure for UPL, Quinn & Peterka.

Rochester Americans sneak into playoffs, will play Belleville in opening round

Mat Mlodzinski
Created: April 30, 2022 10:28 PM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — After a dominant 8-1 win over the Utica Comets on Friday, J.J. Peterka said the Rochester Americans planned to hold a watch party on Saturday afternoon.

"Everybody's too nervous to have champagne there," said Peterka.

A Belleville Senators win and the Amerks season would live on. If the Toronto Marlies won, the offseason clock would begin. Belleville would take care of business 5-2.

Safe to say a champagne shower might have ensued shortly after that went final.

The Amerks reach the Calder Cup Playoffs as a 5-seed in the North Division, ironically drawing Belleville in a best-of-3 first round series matchup. The winner of that series will move on to the division semifinals to face the Comets.

[ckg927]

They're going to have to do it without UPL between the pipes; he's been ruled out for the play-in series with a lower body injury. Amerks head coach Seth Appert added that even IF the Amerks win the play-in series, UPL might not be available for that as well.

[ckg927]

Peyton Krebs & Mattias Samuelsson have been assigned to the Amerks, per the Sabres.

[swiper]

What about Dell, Houser, Subban?

[OpIv37]

What about Dell, Houser, Subban?

I believe Subban is hurt. Not sure about the other two.

[Night Train]

Dell is starting.

UPL is starting to look like All-Whirlpool. I have my doubts and acquiring a Vet Goalie should be priority #1 for the Sabres.

[ckg927]

I believe Subban is hurt. Not sure about the other two.

Houser is with the Sabres' ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati(currently tied 3-3 in their playoff series with Toledo; series finale is Tuesday night in Cincy); the Sabres loaned him to the Cyclones within the past day or two. He got the start for the 'Clones Saturday night.

[Night Train]

Fitzgerald and Krebs will play tonight at Rochester. The opening Round is a best of 3 series vs. Belleville. If they survive, the next round is a best of 5.

[ckg927]

Fitzgerald and Krebs will play tonight at Rochester. The opening Round is a best of 3 series vs. Belleville. If they survive, the next round is a best of 5.

And SPEAKING of that game...Belleville took a 3-0 lead going into the 3rd period. However, the Amerks got goals from Lukas Rousek, Jimmy Schuldt & Casey Fitzgerald in the 3rd before Arttu Ruotsalainen scored the game winner near the 17 minute mark of OT.

Game 2 is Friday at Belleville.

[swiper]

Go Amerks!

[swiper]

The Amerks had more goals against than all AHL teams except one. Kind of underscores the lack of goaltending in their pipeline. What's with the Sabres? Draft a goaltender already for your AHL team.

https://theahl.com/stats/standings?s...=rank&league=4

[OpIv37]

I wore an Amerks shirt to Wegmans yesterday. One of the cashiers saw it and told me she grew up in Rochester too and used to go to Amerks games with her dad.

And, Rochester won the opener, rallying from a 3-0 deficit.

https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabre...7f31511f0.html

[JATMtheJATM]

The Amerks had more goals against than all AHL teams except one. Kind of underscores the lack of goaltending in their pipeline. What's with the Sabres? Draft a goaltender already for your AHL team.

https://theahl.com/stats/standings?s...=rank&league=4

It's not easy to draft a goaltender for the AHL. The draft is 18 year olds. And unless you're plucking from a college team, or overseas, you can't have an 18 year old in the AHL.

Furthermore, that somewhat throws them to the fire when they're developing in more comfortable leagues overseas or playing college.

I get what you're saying, but drafting just to throw the guy in the AHL is risky for his development.

[ckg927]

It's not easy to draft a goaltender for the AHL. The draft is 18 year olds. And unless you're plucking from a college team, or overseas, you can't have an 18 year old in the AHL.

Furthermore, that somewhat throws them to the fire when they're developing in more comfortable leagues overseas or playing college.

I get what you're saying, but drafting just to throw the guy in the AHL is risky for his development.

Besides, Buffalo DOES have an ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati. Let them learn the ropes there. UPL did so...and odds are when the time comes, either Levi or Portillo(or both)will log time with the Cyclones.

[swiper]

It's not easy to draft a goaltender for the AHL. The draft is 18 year olds. And unless you're plucking from a college team, or overseas, you can't have an 18 year old in the AHL.

Furthermore, that somewhat throws them to the fire when they're developing in more comfortable leagues overseas or playing college.

I get what you're saying, but drafting just to throw the guy in the AHL is risky for his development.

Why would a college goalie only be 18? Why not older?

[JATMtheJATM]

Why would a college goalie only be 18? Why not older?

Well, you used the word draft. The draft age is 18. So I assume you mean draft someone in the entry draft and place them in Rochester.

If that's the case, the player you are drafting is 18.

Unless you mean sign a college free agent.

[ckg927]

The Amerks move into the second round by beating Belleville 4-3 in OT again.

THIS time, Rochester was leading 3-1 and gave up 2 goals in the 3rd. Brett Murray scored the game winner for the Amerks.

[JATMtheJATM]

Boom boom second round!

[Night Train]

https://www.amerks.com/news/detail/a...-of-belleville

2nd round is best of 5.

[ckg927]

https://www.amerks.com/news/detail/a...-of-belleville

2nd round is best of 5.

And the ONLY guaranteed home game for the Amerks is next Sunday(5/15)at 5:05pm. (Which will make double duty if you're trying to keep track of the action; the NLL's Bandits open THEIR playoff series against Toronto next Sunday as well(6:05pm start).) Full schedule:

5/10: at Utica
5/14: at Utica
5/15: Rochester
5/17: Rochester(if necessary)
5/19: at Utica(if necessary)

Believe it or not, the Amerks played Utica VERY tough over the season; they went 6-5-1-0 overall. This may wind up going the full 5 games.