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PLAYOFF PUSH REPORT CARD

AMERKS REPORT CARD FOR PLAYOFF PUSH

Apr 18, 2023

The Rochester Americans have earned a first-round bye as the third seed in the North Division, and there were a lot of factors contributing to that accomplishment. Instead of writing an April recap, since the fun is just beginning, we thought we’d write up a Playoff Push Report Card instead (hint: it’s really good).

 

DEFENSE LOCKS IT DOWN

An emphasis has been placed on team defense for much of the season, but the squad has really stepped up in the last 25-30 games. The Amerks penalty kill did not allow an opponent to score on the power play in 17 of the last 25 games.

 

Having a solid penalty kill, and being able to count on two or fewer goals being let in, gives the team an excellent chance at winning every single game. And as we learned down the stretch, every game matters.

 

AMERKS BECOME POINTS-COLLECTORS

The Amerks earned points in 13 of their last 16 games, avoiding the best-of-three play-in round by one point over the Utica Comets. The ability to force games into overtime, even despite losses, proved to be crucial in the North Division seeding.

 

Plenty of players stepped up to help the team down the stretch. Forward Aleksandr Kisakov scored the game-winning shootout goal on THIS DATE to earn a big two points. Tyson Kozak had a goal and a huge fight on April 1 to propel the Amerks to another big victory. Veteran defenseman Matt Bartkowsi tallied the game-winner on Sunday to send the Amerks into the second round.

 

It comes as no surprise to rest of the team and to the coaching staff when multiple players step up. “I think that’s the unique part: the collectiveness,” Amerks head coach Seth Appert told the media on Tuesday.

 

“But that also fits into what we preach and how we want to live every day, and the great captains that we have.” The sense of collectiveness is a choice, and a big part of the identity of the organization, both in Rochester and in Buffalo.

 

THE YOUNG GUNS DEVELOP

“Part of development is habits and accountability and practicing the right way,” Appert explained. “But part of development is opportunity.”

 

The group of five rookie forwards have each seen big moments of opportunity throughout the season, and they have all been excellent. “[Isak] Rosen and [Jiri] Kulich have been phenomenal the second half of the season,” Appert said, “Especially for the age they are.”

 

 

 

Rosen has tallied 37 points in 66 games, while Kulich leads the squad with 24 goals in 62 games this season. The two of them have been very fun to watch, and have been growing their game more and more every time they hit the ice.

 

But it’s not just those two rookies, Appert explained. “Kozak has been a real force for us in the last 25-30 games. Cederqvist, you saw how important he was this past weekend. Kisakov has had some big moments down the stretch.”

 

Big moments that, in the end, led to the opportunity to compete in the Calder Cup Playoffs, which will propel their development even further.

 

FULL SQUAD BUYS IN

The push to the playoffs was always going to be a battle in the North Division. That much was known. But just how much adversity the team would face — like losing Brandon Biro and Sean Malone for significant time — is what truly has shown what the team is made of.

 

“We’ve become difficult to play against in our own way,” Appert said. “That’s been a real credit to the guys buying in, and playing the right way away from the puck.” Without big star-power to rely on, the Amerks found a different identity: being smothering.

 

“At our best without the puck, we’re not the most physical team, we’re not built that way. But we’re smothering. We take time and space away with our gapping, with our back-checking, with our tracking, and with our forwards getting pieces of people as they get back above them.”

 

Appert noted that the team really bought into that identity in the last 30 games or so. And as the team committed to better defense, their offensive numbers got better and better, too.

 

THIRD SEED SECURED

The Amerks clinched a Calder Cup Playoff berth with four games remaining in the season, with an overtime win over the Syracuse Crunch. The final four games were a battle for second place, and the Amerks were forced into a must-win situation on Sunday in Cleveland to avoid the play-in round.

 

Filip Cederqivst scored his fourth goal of the weekend to open the scoring for the Amerks, and it was defenseman Matt Bartkowski who scored the game-winner with a bomb from the blue line. Rookie Josh Passolt made his AHL debut, and added his first AHL goal to the mix.

 

 

 

The Amerks emerged victorious, and avoided the best-of-three first round in Laval. With two days off the ice to begin the week, Coach Appert assured the media that the team is excited for playoffs to begin.

 

Appert added: “We have a young group, so to finish tied for second in our Division with the age of the group and how important a role the young guys play, it’s a good effort from the guys."


 

 “We’re proud of them, but now it starts over. There’s a lot of work ahead.”

The Amerks head to Syracuse to face the Crunch in the North Division Semifinal, beginning on Friday night in Syracuse. Game 1 and Game 2 will be played on Friday and Saturday before the team returns to Rochester to host Game 3 on Friday night at Blue Cross Arena.

 

The puck drops at 7:05pm, and tickets are on sale now! The first 5,000 fans will receive an Amerks and Genesee Brewery-branded rally towel, so get the party started early. Fans can enjoy $2 beers at the Genesee Brewhouse inside Blue Cross Arena from 6pm until puck drop as part of Pregame Happy hour, presented by the Genesee Brewery.

 

BUY GAME 3 TICKETS

 

All playoff games can be streamed via AHLTV, and playoff subscriptions are available for just $29.99. Fans can also listen to Don Stevens on the call on 95.7 The Fan Rochester.

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