GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS SEEK PAYBACK IN TORONTO THIS AFTERNOON
Amerks aim for weekend split with Marlies as scene shifts North
Oct 19, 2024
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48
Following a 4-2 loss on home ice to Toronto, the Amerks and Marlies now switch sides, with Rochester driving north of the border for a Saturday matinee in Toronto at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
The Amerks (1-2-0-0) look to replicate their winning formula from their previous road game (4-1 win in Utica last Saturday), while subsequently handing Toronto (3-0-0-0) its first loss of the season.
Saturday marks the second of six meetings between the two North Division opponents this season. The Amerks won two of three encounters in Toronto during the 2023-24 season, both coming in overtime.
LAST TIME OUT
Anton Wahlberg and Konsta Helenius each scored to build the Amerks a 2-0 lead, but four unanswered Toronto conversions led to Rochester being on the wrong side of a 4-2 final.
“We literally gave them three goals,” said head coach Michael Leone. “We were on the wrong side of the puck. You’ve got to really focus and commit to playing a smart game against a really good team. We did a lot of things right, but we have to work on managing certain situations within the game.”
Wahlberg’s goal was his first of the season and first since April 6 in Providence. Helenius’ tally marked his first pro goal in North America.
“It feels good to score,” said Helenius. “I feel like that can help build confidence. It doesn’t matter how you score. It always feels good.”
Friday’s game ended at 9:25 p.m. The rematch is less than 18 hours later.
“We just have to be ready to go to work. It comes down to your willingness to play the game the right way with your habits and details.”
Alex Steeves scored twice for Toronto, including the game-winning-goal. Cedric Pare, in addition to former Amerk Alex Nylander, also scored for the Marlies.
WALLY WORLD
Wahlberg’s first-period goal Friday came shorthanded, marking the first shorthanded goal for the Amerks this season, along with the first in the young career of the young forward.
“The puck bounced to me and I got a breakaway,” he said. I almost fell four times and lost the puck three times, but thankfully I got a good bounce and was able to put the puck in. My confidence is getting better and better. I think we got a really good team with lots of talent. It’s getting better and better every game.”
Buffalo’s 2023 second-round draft pick spent most of last season playing professionally in his native country of Sweden, where Wahlberg scored five goals and 10 points in 43 games for Malmö. Afterward, the teenage prospect arrived in Rochester, scoring a goal and four points in nine games.
TULLIO TIME
Helenius’ first goal as an Amerk saw fellow newcomer Ty Tullio nab his first point in the red, white, and blue with an assist. For a second straight game, the third-year pro was slotted on a line with Tyson Kozak and Graham Slaggert.
“I really feel like we all play well off each other,” said Tullio. “Our team is looking to us as an energy line. I think we create offense and momentum for our team.”
Tullio, 22, spent his first two professional seasons in Bakersfield, posting consecutive 20-point seasons. The Detroit, Michigan, native is closer to home in Rochester and is ready to bring his game to the Amerks.
“I bring a hard, energized game. I get to the dirty areas and I’ll play physical, but at the same time, I can create plays and I have an offensive side to myself that can really feed off of the high-skilled team we have here. I’m just trying to work myself up the chains right now.”
KILLING IN THE NAME OF
Toronto owned the league’s best power-play following the first week of the 2024-25 AHL season, yet the Amerks were up for the challenge, killing off all five Marlies man-advantages.
“They did a great job,” said Leone. “Nathan Paetsch (Amerks assistant coach) does a great job. We made a few adjustments on how we wanted to play the kill and we were outstanding. The commitment to blocking shots and really sacrificing for the team is outstanding.”
The Amerks have killed 11 of 13 penalties off through the first three games of the season. On the other side, their man-advantage has gone silent through 15 attempts.
“We had four or five really good looks on the power-play. I would get more concerned if we weren’t getting those looks. We hit a post and if we get one early with those skilled guys, they’ll get into the game and feel good about themselves. I think it’s just the momentum of the game.”