GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS HOST ROCKET ON HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT
Rochester gets second crack at division leading-Laval
Nov 16, 2024
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48
The Rochester Americans (7-4-1-0) will host the Laval Rocket (11-2-0-0) for a second consecutive game at Blue Cross Arena Saturday evening.
Saturday is the second of eight contests between Laval and Rochester. The Amerks are 0-0-1-0 in the season series after going 6-2-0-0 in 2023-24. Four of the last nine games against Laval have required overtime, with Rochester going 3-1 past regulation.
LAST TIME OUT
Graham Slaggert and Anton Wahlberg scored for the Amerks in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss against Laval. Michael Houser helped Rochester secure a standings point with a 22-save performance, but was solved by Logan Mailloux of the Rocket, who scored the game-winning-goal 4:39 into three-on-three overtime.
“I thought we played well,” said Amerks head coach Michael Leone. “I think we played well enough to win the hockey game for sure, but the first 10 minutes of the third period we needed to be more engaged and make harder plays. Overall, we did a really good job of limiting a really talented group. We played a good team game.”
Slaggert’s goal came through an assist from Brendan Warren. The two of them have played on a line centered by Josh Dunne and have made an impact as a trio.
“They’re the best,” said Leone. “They listen, they work, and they play the game the right way. They’re on the ice a lot in five-on-five situations. They do an unbelievable job. They give us energy. They’re a huge part of the way we’ve been playing.”
While Rochester remained idle Friday, Laval continued its season with a pitstop in Syracuse, topping the Crunch by a 4-3 final via shootout. Jared Davidson netted two goals, along with the game-winning conversion in the shootout, while Jakub Dobes made 27 saves for Laval to secure its ninth win in the team’s last 10 games.
MURRAY HITTING HIS STRIDE
Veteran forward Brett Murray logged an assist in Rochester’s 3-2 overtime loss Wednesday, giving the sixth-year Amerk nine points (3+6) over his last eight games.
Murray, 26, has registered two multi-point games on the season and owns 76 goals and 166 points across his 271 games in an Amerks jersey. 30 of his 76 career goals have come on the power play. Last season, the Bolton, Ontario native registered a career high-four points (2+2) when facing Laval January 27.
“He’s really good on the walls for a big man,” said Leone. “He can make a lot of plays and I think when he’s playing with an edge is when you see him getting in on the forecheck. You can see he really protects pucks down low and that’s when he’s at his best. When he’s playing well, our team is usually playing good, too.”
KULICH RETURNS TO SABRES
It was announced earlier today that forward Jiri Kulich has been recalled to the Buffalo Sabres. This comes following four games with the Amerks, where the third-year pro notched two goals and an assist. Kulich began the season in Buffalo, skating in eight games with the Sabres and scoring his first NHL goal October 17 against Columbus.
Over the last two seasons, the Kadan, Czechia native has led Rochester in scoring, being the first Amerk to lead the team in back-to-back season since Hall of Famer Jody Gage did so in 1991-92 and 1992-93. In 123 games as an Amerk, Kulich has scored 53 goals and 41 assists for 94 points.
“It was my goal to make the team (Sabres),” said Kulich earlier this season. I have to keep working and coming back to Rochester was motivation to be a better player so whenever they call me up again, I don’t want to go back.”
“I thought last game that he was the best player on the ice,” said Leone. “He was really dynamic. He was skating and we used him in different situations. “The thing for me that just watching him on ice level is just seeing how when he's engaged, and he is majority of the time, but you can see it in his game where he just takes it to another level. He hunts down pucks he could really forecheck. I think that's an area of his game where you talk about the shot and the skating, but I think he's an elite checker.”
HOLDING DOWN THE HOUSE
Coach Leone confirmed Saturday morning the Amerks’ goaltending plans for the weekend. Michael Houser will make his third straight start and fourth consecutive appearance Saturday against Laval, while Felix Sandström has been cleared to return after not dressing the last two games. He will back-up for Houser Saturday, then start Sunday afternoon in Toronto.
Houser is 4-2-1 on the season through eight games, registering a 2.77 goals-against average, coupled with a .899 save percentage. He made 22 saves in helping the Amerks secure a point against Laval Wednesday.
“He's been really good,” said Leone. “He's been consistent. He's given us a chance to win every game he's played. I think House (Houser) has been around so long that he has a great perspective and feel and we communicate with the guys before they'll know who's playing. Having someone in there like him with that type of poise and composure relaxes the group.”