AMERKS WEEK 26 ROUND-UP
Apr 11, 2023The Rochester Americans clinched a playoff spot with four games remaining in the regular season, and currently sit in second place in the North Division after a big win in Utica on Saturday. With three games this week, the Amerks control their own destiny.
But according to Amerks head coach Seth Appert, they’re not worried about the standings.
RACE TO SECOND PLACE
It’s a race to second place in the North Division, as the Toronto Marlies have locked in the top spot, with three games remaining in the regular season for all but one North Division team. The Amerks can secure a first round bye if they place second or third, but the focus this week is simply on getting better.
“We haven’t talked about it,” Appert said after practice, when asked if the goal was to securing second place. “That’s not media speak. We legitimately hve not talked to our team about the standings one time.”
“Our goal today was to get better.”
Appert noted that there were a few parts of their game that have been great for the last 6-8 weeks, but didn’t look as good over the weekend, that they are focusing on improving.
With no Wednesday night game, there’s more time to fine-tune details and make adjustments before the three-in-three weekend. The Amerks are only worried about Friday.
GAMES AT A GLANCE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5: SYRACUSE 3 — ROCHESTER 2 (OT)
The Syracuse Crunch came out firing at Blue Cross Arena, taking a 2-0 lead just five minutes into the contest. Rochester would respond in the second half of the first period with the 19th goal of the season from Linus Weissbach.
Brandon Biro, who returned from injury, tallied his 16th of the season in the second period, evening the score. Despite two power plays in the third period, the Amerks couldn’t convert and the game headed to overtime.
It took only 32 seconds for the Crunch to end overtime, with Philippe Myers finding the back of the net. Malcom Subban made 27 saves in the game.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7: ROCHESTER 3 — SYRACUSE 2 (OT)
The Amerks and Crunch met again in Syracuse on Friday night, and this time it was Rochester who started strong. The Amerks took a 2-0 lead into the third period off of goals from Kohen Olischefski — his first of the season and first in the AHL! — and Filip Cederqvist.
The Crunch would storm back in the third period, tying the game with just under ten minutes to play. It was a goaltending duel to end regulation, and Malcolm Subban had 37 saves in 60 minutes.
Subban was a brick wall during overtime, turning away five high-quality scoring chances from the Crunch. Jiri Kulich would seal the win for the Amerks with his team-leading 23rd goal of the season, with just under a minute to play in overtime.
With the overtime win, combined with the Cleveland win over Laval, the Amerks clinched a Calder Cup Playoff berth for the fourth-straight season.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8: ROCHESTER 5 — UTICA 1
With a playoff berth secured, the Amerks headed to Utica to try to move up in the standings with another two points behind goaltender Michael Houser.
Josh Filmon started the scoring for the Comets, who took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Isak Rosen made a gorgeous play to even the score in the second, and the teams would remain tied headed into the intermission.
In the third period, the floodgates opened for the Amerks, as Rosen tallied another, just over two and a half minutes into the final frame. Ethan Prow would add his own before the Amerks scored two empty-net goals to secure the big victory.
Houser, who is 4-1 in Utica this season, made 20 saves, and the team defensive effort was impressive.
OLISCHEFSKI SCORES FIRST
Forward Kohen Olischefski opened the scoring in Syracuse with his first career AHL goal, and the excitement was palpable. Not only was it a big goal for the squad, but it was a testament to the hard work Olischefski has been putting in.
“Olischefski and [Brendan] Warren have played huge defensive minutes for us,” Appert said. “[They] can step in and play center, play wing. It’s extremely valuable to have guys like that in your organization.”
With a string of injuries to centers throughout the season, Olischefski and Warren have had the opportunity to step up. And they’re just a part of the depth that has been on display, especially recently, for Rochester.
“We wouldn’t be where we are right now without Mason Jobst having the season he is. Without Mitch Eliot and Peter Tischke. Without Brendan Warren and Kohen Olischefski and the quality minutes that those guys played over a lot of the season.”
OTHER STATS TO NOTE
Defensman Chris Jandric made his professional debut on Saturday night, and tallied his first professional point with an assist on Rosen's second goal.
The Amerks have earned 20 out of a possible 26 points over their last 13 games. Eight of the Amerks last 11 games have gone to overtime.
ROC THE RINK x FAN APPRECIATION
Come ROC the Rink with the Amerks on Saturday, April 15, presented by the US Air Force. It’s the final home game of the regular season, and the Amerks are celebrating their fans all game long!
The team will wear specialty ROC the Rink jerseys for the second year in a row, with jerseys being revealed later this week. Game-issued jerseys will be up for auction starting on Wednesday, April 13, and running through Sunday, April 16 at 5pm. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Villa of Hope.
Three lucky fans will receive a game-issued jersey at the game on Saturday, as part of Fan Appreciation. There will also be many other giveaways throughout the game that you don’t want to miss!
COMING UP THIS WEEK
The Amerks finish the regular season with a three-in-three weekend, including back-to-back games at Blue Cross Arena.
The Belleville Senators return to Blue Cross Arena on Friday night, and the yearly team awards will be presented before the game. Get the party started early with Pregame Happy Hour, presented by the Genesee Brewery: enjoy $2 beers from 6pm until puck drop at the Genesee Brewhouse inside Blue Cross Arena.
The Amerks then host the Cleveland Monsters for their ROC the Rink x Fan Appreciation game, presented by the US Air Force, on Saturday night. It’s a 321 weekend at Blue Cross Arena: enjoy $3 beers, $2 hot dogs, and $1 popcorn all game long at select concession locations.
Rochester hits the road to Cleveland to match-up against the Monsters again for a matinee puck drop. It’s the final game of the regular season, and it could have implications in the standings, so tune in on AHLTV or The Fan Rochester.
