HOW THE LINEUP LOOKS: NOVEMBER 18
Mersch, Malone return while Cederqvist, Biro out
Nov 18, 2022The Rochester Americans are back in action tonight as they take on the Utica Comets for the second time this month in the front-end of a home-and-home weekend.
“Utica is a very physical opponent, and more so tonight because of how Syracuse put up an eight spot on them,” Amerks head coach Seth Appert told the media after pregame skate Friday morning. “I know how we would respond if that happened, and I know how they're going to respond.”
While Appert knows tonight will be an aggressive game, there’s a lot to look forward to in terms of who we’ll see back in the lineup and some new line combinations.
WHO'S BACK IN THE LINEUP:
-
Forward Michael Mersch — after missing 10 games, the Amerks captain returns to his spot in the lineup.
-
Forward Sean Malone — the center has tallied six points in the six games he's appeared in so far this season.
-
Forward Matej Pekar — the third-year pro makes his season debut tonight after missing a large part of last season to injury.
-
Defenseman Kale Clague — the blueliner makes his return to Rochester after suiting up for seven games with the Sabres.
-
Goaltender Malcolm Subban — the netminder makes his season debut after sustaining an injury during in Rochester's preseason finale against Utica.
WHO IS OUT OF THE LINEUP:
-
Forward Brandon Biro (lower-body)
-
Forward Filip Cederqvist (upper-body)
-
Defenseman Oskari Laaksonen
-
Defenseman Brandon Davidson (flu)
-
Defenseman Peter Tischke (healthy scratch)
LINE COMBOS + NOTES FOR TONIGHT
-
Murray – Warren – Mersch
-
Rousek – Malone – Weissbach
-
Pekar – Kozak – Kisakov
-
Subban will start in net for the Amerks
FUN FACTS FROM APPS:
“Malcolm will start tonight,” explained Appert when asked who would be between the posts for Rochester.
“I’m really, really excited for him. Such a great teammate, incredible work ethic and, you know, he's obviously had a lot of things go against him the last couple of years with injuries. So, the guys are going to be really excited to play in front of him tonight.”
Subban hasn’t played in a game since Jan. 11 of last year when he was with the Buffalo Sabres taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, this is the goaltender's first game in the American Hockey League since the 2016-17 season, other than the little bit of preseason action we saw from Subban against the Comets on Oct. 9.
In terms of forwards, Warren has never centered a line in his pro career, while Pekar hasn’t appeared in a game since Mar. 13 of last season.
“This is probably Warren's first game at center in pro hockey and, I think, it's his first game at center since he was 16, but he's playing so well for us right now,” stated Appert when discussing moving Warren from a winger to centering a line with two big bodies like Mersch and Murray tonight. “He has a lot of confidence that he's earned. He's been very physical. He's good defensively…he's a play driver with his pace and his physicality for us right now…he'll just have to slug it out in the face-off circle the best he can.”
On the other hand, Pekar is going into a perfect matchup for his first game back with the agitating style of play he brings to the game.
“We just want to try to channel his energy in a good direction,” explained Appert when asked why he chose to have finally get Pekar back in the lineup tonight.
“He plays with such passion and such energy…when he’s at his best…he’s kind of being a pest and being a miserable player to play against and an easy player to play with. That's what he needs to do to be at his best.”
This rivalry is always one to look forward to with the physical style of play it brings out in both Rochester and Utica, and while the season series is currently split at 1-1 between the Amerks and Comets, both teams have taken away their wins against one another on home ice. Additionally, Utica has yet to win a game on the road.
Appert finished up about tonight’s matchup with, “It's going to be a really demanding game tonight.”