You can always click on roster at the top of the site to get a list of players currently under contract.  This isn’t speculation of who may or may not return, it’s players signed.  http://www.letsgoamerks.com/roster/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 5, 2012

SABRES SIGN GOALTENDER LIEUWEN TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

(Rochester, NY)… Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced that the team has signed goaltender Nathan Lieuwen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Lieuwen (6’5”, 189 lbs., 8/8/91) finished the 2011-12 season ranked third among all Western Hockey League goaltenders with a 2.50 goals against average and ranked fifth with a .914 save percentage. In his second season as the starting goaltender for the Kootenay Ice, Lieuwen went 27-20-6-2 with three shutouts.

In parts of five WHL seasons with Kootenay, Lieuwen posted a regular season record of 85-59-8-7. He backstopped the Ice to a Memorial Cup Championship in 2010-11, earning WHL Playoff MVP honors after going 16-2-1 with a 2.24 goals against average and .923 save percentage.

The Abbortsford, British Columbia native was Buffalo’s sixth-round pick (167th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Sabres Signed Nathan Lieuwen to Entry Level Contract is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

It was a miracle the team found a way to make it into the playoffs (thanks for the most part to the overtime point) but no one should accept that and be happy.  If the team would have missed the playoffs the easy excuse would be that all of the call ups and injuries throughout the season had a major impact but they found a way in and they were dominated by the Toronto Marlies, a team with more talent and depth.

There were a few positives to the season.  The Buffalo Sabres buying the Rochester Americans brought back long term stability to the franchise.  The previous ownership group was never in a position where they were ready to move the team or end the team but they had an uphill battle and they did the right thing selling to the Sabres.  The new ownership also recognized the need to rebuild the fan base which they quickly did with the cheapest season tickets in the American Hockey League and discounts on tickets for just about every game of the season.  It was great to see people have excitement for Amerks hockey again.

Another positive was watching the development of Marcus Foligno, Corey Tropp and Brayden McNabb.  Those players became dominant players over the course of the season and proved that they have what it takes to play in the National Hockey League.  They aren’t players who just show the potential and promise, they have what it takes.

The coaching staff was also a positive, they got what they could out of the players they had.  Ron Rolston talked often early in the season about guys being handed roster spots instead of earning them and that’s where you start to see the short falls of the team.

Last July the terms Sabres University and Hockey Heaven were tossed all over the place but it was more like Sabres Community College and anything but Hockey Heaven.  In Hockey Heaven you picture non stop winning and excitement, those things rarely happened.

This quote from Ron Rolston in The Buffalo News sums it up:

“You have to look back on the way the guys played,” Rolston said in Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. “They sacrificed and competed for each other, and that’s a team to me. Success rides in, ‘Can you get the potential out of the players and can the players sacrifice for each other and reach their potential?’ I think this was a hockey team that was very close to their potential.

The team made great strides this season.  They played for the City of Rochester.  They played for the sweater they wore every game.  The players knew how important winning was and making hockey exciting again in Rochester and they tried.  They didn’t quit.  They even found ways to win when they were short players.  They just didn’t have all of the pieces needed to put together a playoff run.

It was very close to their potential but they missed some play making goal scorers who could have drawn that potential out of some of those guys who were close.  There was a lot of time last summer to add an additional couple of players that would have made a huge difference but that never happened.  An American Hockey League team can be built to win in a single off season, it doesn’t take years of rebuilding and drafting.

Someone reading this will think at this point, “AHL teams are there to develop players and provide players to the NHL team.”  Yes, that’s true but adding a couple of guys that could really draw the potential out of the prospects would not take away from development, it’ll help development and lead to winning.

Darcy Regier knew last summer that the team needed scoring and depth at center but was late to free agency.  He signed Paul Szczechura and Michael Ryan in the second week of August at a time when there was no one else left.  Szczechura was still available because he was recovering from a knee injury and wouldn’t be available until a month into the season.  Ryan was still available because he was injury prone, it was a bust of a signing with so many other players available prior to that.

The team lost 25 out of 76 regular season games by one goal.  A couple of additional players to compliment what was here would have turned at least half of those games around if not more and things could have been different.

The that will be returning next season will need a lot of help.  There aren’t any rookies who’ll replace Marcus Foligno, Brayden McNabb and Corey Tropp who will more than likely make the Sabres roster out of training camp next season.

Ted Black has already said that Darcy Regier will be returning next season and he’ll likely be watched closely.  This upcoming summer will be a true test with no excuses.

Stay tuned, a lot more end of season coverage to come!

The Morning After: Fan Support Returned but A Let Down of a Season is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

The Amerks had heart and gave it there all but the Marlies had more talent and it showed.

(Photo by David Sturm, view more here)

The highlight of the game was the crowd of 7,118 at the War Memorial, the largest crowd for a first round playoff game in Rochester since April 13, 1990.  It’s unfortunate the Marlies took control of the game early and took the crowd out of the game.

Philippe Dupuis scored the game winning goal at 3:59 of the first period with a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Leggio.

Mike Zigomanis sent a pass to Jerry D’Amigo in the slot who scored off a one timer to put the Marlies up 2-0 early in the second period at 1:36.  Derek Whitmore delivered a big hit in the Marlies end which took him out of the play and it resulted in a three on two break.

Even though the Marlies had a two goal lead there was still a sense that if the Amerks could score one goal they’d be back in the game.  That’s how the previous two games had gone and how many had gone all season.  It wasn’t meant to be in game three though.  The Marlies allowed 29 shots on net but very few of those were quality scoring opportunities for the Amerks.

Nazem Kadri scored a highlight reel goal at 4:36 of the third period with a great move to easily beat David Leggio to give the Marlies the commanding three goal lead.  Corey Tropp made an attempt at a drop pass but no one was there and the rest was history.  That was the game.

David Leggio was pulled from the net with three minutes left in the game to give the Amerks an extra skater on the ice but even with that they couldn’t generate any offense.  Game. Set. Match.  Season was over.

The loss isn’t all on Corey Tropp for that pass but it’s plays like that which brought the Amerks down.  A poor pass in game 1 across the ice from Mark Voakes to Nick Crawford resulted in a turnover and a goal.  A turnover by Crawford in game two as he tried to skate out of the Amerks zone resulted in a goal.  A hit by Whitmore in the game as the play was going up ice resulted in an even faster break and a goal.  The Marlies made many poor plays themselves but the difference was that the Amerks weren’t able to take advantage of them.

If there’s a positive it’s that the team didn’t try and make any excuses.  In post game interviews David Leggio admitted to being disappointed with his performance.  Derek Whitmore talked about wanting to have done more as well.  Colin Stuart commented that everyone gave it there all.

In the days ahead it’ll be time to start recapping the season that has just passed us by.  It was another disappointing end to a season.

Is it October yet?

That was It. Marlies Dominate and Sweep the Amerks. Season Over. is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

(Photo courtesy of Dave Sturm, you can see his entire album here)

As of Monday morning it looks like there’ll probably be a crowd of over 5,000 which is pretty impressive for a first round playoff series, a round that typically has some low attendance all around the league.  The crowds were small in the first round of the 2010 playoff series.  They were small in 2007 as well.  Even back in the lock out year the second home playoff game had 5,817 attend on a Friday.  It helps to have cheaper tickets this season and also being owned by the Buffalo Sabres means a push by the Sabres to sell tickets, something they didn’t have much of a desire to help with when they didn’t own the Amerks.

If you don’t have tickets click the link below for $12 tickets and help pack the barn.

$12 Tickets: http://bit.ly/IfzCpR

Back to the game itself, it’ll be a battle and for the Amerks to win they’ll need a perfect game from David Leggio and a game free of mistakes from everyone else.  The Amerks and Marlies have played in 12 games now this season and every game has been decided by one goal.

If the Amerks are going to win they’ll need to find a way to keep the puck away from Jerry D’Amigo who has scored four goals this series.

If they Amerks are going to win they’ll also need to try and get some scoring from other players.  The Amerks have scored six goals this series in two games and they’ve been scored by three players.  Marcus Foligno, TJ Brennan and Phil Varone each have two goals.  The assists have gone to nine players but goals are needed.

Still without a goal or an assist in this series is three key players: Derek Whitmore, Colin Stuart and Corey Tropp.  That’s not to say they’ve played poorly but they are guys the team could use to find a way to score down in the series.

The Marlies are a better team plain and simple.  They’re better scoring.  They’re better defensively.  It’ll be disappointing if the Amerks are swept in the series but it’ll be because the other team was just better.

The one thing this Amerks squad has though is a desire to win and not give ever give up.  The puck drops at 7:05pm and it’ll be time for a three game winning streak which will prevent the Calder Cup from going to Toronto.

Injury Updates: Evan Rankin will be out with a bad cut on his lower right leg.  It apparently happened in the first period on Sunday and he’s out for at least this series if it continues and possibly longer.  Shaone Morrisonn will be a game day decision.  He’s been a big part of the Amerks defense all season and they just aren’t the same defensively without him.

For game day updates make sure to follow @KevinODandC and @DropThePuckWHTK on Twitter.  My schedule hasn’t been in my favor in terms of getting the locker room coverage but those two are on top of things.

Did I mention $12 Tickets?  Click here if you need them: http://bit.ly/IfzCpR

This is it. Time for an Amerks Winning Streak is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

(Photo courtesy of Dave Sturm, you can see his entire album here)

The Marlies 4-3 win game them a 2-0 series lead in a best of five first round matchup.

David Leggio gives the Marlies the lead early in Game 2 as Jerry D’Amigo has the whole net to shoot at. Assist to Philippe Dupuis.

A boarding penalty by Philippe Dupuis leads to roughing minors assessed to Travis Turnbull, Colin Stuart, Nicolas Deschamps, and Jerry D’Amigo.

A terrible call on Marcus Foligno leads to a power play goal by Mike Zigomanis. Assists to Jake Gardiner and Joe Colborne.

Travis Turnbull is interviewed during the first intermission of Game 2 between the Rochester Amerks and the Toronto Marlies.

Marcus Foligno scores to get the Amerks on the board in Game 2. Assisted by Maxime Legault and Alex Biega.

Nazem Kadri puts a shot behind David Leggio and off both posts, never crossing the line.

Korbinian Holzer takes a penalty for closing his hand on and throwing the puck. The Amerks score seconds after the power play expires with Phil Varone firing in the rebound. Assists to Marcus Foligno and Brayden McNabb

Nicolas Deschamps puts the Marlies back in the lead against the Amerks in Game 2. Assist to Matt Frattin.

Marcus Foligno is interviewed in the second intermission of Game 2 between the Amerks and the Marlies.

T.J. Brennan ties the game at 3 for the second game in a row, also coming at a bad angle. Unassisted.

And here’s highlights all the way through courtesy of the Toronto Marlies:

Amerks vs Marlies Game 2 Video Highlights is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

The Amerks are an average team facing a talented Toronto Marlies squad.  David Leggio was at the top of his game making 34 saves while Ben Scrivens at the other end had 20 saves.  It was only a one goal game but Rochester wasn’t able to generate a lot of offensive pressure and they were fortunate Leggio kept the score the way he did.

Down 3-1 in the third period Marcus Foligno scored a power play goal from the front of the net off a quick pass from Paul Szczechura down low.  The Marlies were watching Foligno all game and didn’t give him very much room to work but the moment he was open he scored.

Evan Rankin made a back handed pass along the boards to TJ Brennan on a two on one rush and Brennan was able to score from a near impossible angle on the goal line to the side of the net.  If Rochester is going to find a way to win this series this is how they’ll need to score goals.  Fast breaks and quick passes with accurate shots.

A failed late third period pass from Mark Voakes to Nick Crawford was the game changer.

From the Marlies post game recap:

D’Amigo was about to leave the ice after his shift with just under five minutes to go in the third period when he saw teammate Mark Fraser come out of the penalty box and gain control of the puck before charging into the Americans zone.

He chose to chase the play, putting him into the perfect place to poke home Fraser’s pass to score his second goal of the night.

“I saw Fraser and he was going hard there so I figured I might as well,” said D’Amigo with a shrug, adding it was a tough call since Fraser is a defenceman and doesn’t often lead the rush.

“He made a great pass and he made it pretty easy for me to have an open net.”

David Leggio was eventually pulled for the extra attacker but the Amerks weren’t able to generate any offense and that was the game.

I’m not writing off the series and the end of the season but it’ll be an uphill battle for Rochester.

Here is the game in six minutes courtesy of the Marlies:

Additional coverage:

Drop The Puck Radio has post game interviews from Ron Rolston, David Leggio, TJ Brennan, Marcus Foligno and Evan Rankin.

Democrat & Chronicle: Rochester Amerks lose playoff opener in Toronto

Game 2 is Saturday in Toronto at 3pm, stay tuned for info about another viewing party.

Amerks Comeback Not Enough, Marlies Win Game 1 (with 6 min Video) is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

You can watch all of game 7 Calder Cup win here: http://bit.ly/rkniLy

The Amerks were last in the post season during the 2009/2010 season and even though the team was loaded with talent it wasn’t a close knit team and they lost in the first round to the Abbotsford Heat.  Prior to that the Amerks lost in the first round of the 2006/2007 playoff race to the Hamilton Bulldogs who had Carey Price in net to lead the Bulldogs to victory.  That Amerks team was also hindered by injuries along with an unsettled locker room due to the dual affiliation of the time between the Sabres and Panthers.

What’s different this season?  They’re all one team under one affiliation and under one ownership.  There aren’t any distractions with potential sales or affiliation changes.  This has also been an interesting season covering the Rochester Americans as the team has played at times very well against the best teams in the league and at times they’ve also played like one of the worst teams.  That’s all in the past for now with the team in the post season where anything can happen.  A few weeks ago the idea of the playoffs looked very much out of reach but the team did what they’ve done all season, found a way to win.

Winning, winning and winning some more is more important than ever this time of year.  A long playoff run for the Buffalo Sabres prospects will not only help their development but also carry on a winning attitude to the NHL team next season.  This is why fans of AHL teams talk so much about having teams with deep rosters so the team can not only win for the fans and city but also give prospects a big boost in their career.

A year ago very few predicted the Binghamton Senators would go on to win the Calder Cup after they entered the playoff race as a 5th seed crossover.  They got players back from the Ottawa Senators towards the end of the season that gave the team a spark for a long run and eventual championship.

From the Toronto Sun:

As the Leafs look enviously upon the Ottawa Senators, they know a long Calder Cup run for the Sens’ Binghamton team last year paid huge dividends. The Sens not only rode the youth movement to an unexpected playoff spot, they’ve thrown a scare into the conference leading New York Rangers.

“That team in Bingo is the perfect example,” Kadri agreed. “The deeper we go, the more it will help everyone’s careers. Ottawa didn’t make the playoffs last year, but groomed their prospects and next thing you know, they make a big run and half the squad is with the big club.

Read more here.

Looking directly at this first round matchup, Rochester and Toronto played each other 10 times this season.  The Marlies won seven out of those ten games.  Three out of the ten games were decided in overtime and one was decided in the shootout.  All 10 games were decided by one goal which shows how close all of the games were.

From SportsNet:

Dallas Eakins knows a good hockey team when he sees one.

So when the coach of the Toronto Marlies dug in to do his prep for his team’s upcoming American Hockey League playoff series with the Rochester Americans, he had a little sense of déjà vu.

“When I watched their team and looked at their lineup, it was almost like looking at our team,” Eakins said. “They have depth up front; they have a couple of good puck-moving defencemen and their other defencemen are good in their own zone; they have team toughness and their goaltending was really good down the stretch. I’m sure if you asked them they would say the same things about us.”

There’s a lot more in the article linked above that’s worth reading about the Toronto Marlies.

It’s been a long season and looking back through post game articles I’ve written there’s a number of times where the words collapse were used and poor performance but there’s also a lot of talk about how the team has never given up and even at their worst times found ways to win.

Has this tired the team out at all?

From the D&C:

“Whenever you find out you’re in the post-season, everyone kind of gets a second wind,” Whitmore said after practice on Tuesday. “We know there’s more there and we want to do some damage.

“You’d be surprised how much professional athletes can raise their game when it means winning a championship.”

David Leggio started the last 23 games of the regular season and his role isn’t likely to change in the post season.  He finished the regular season tied for third in the AHL with 28 wins and also finished with a 2.63 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Looking at the rest of the Amerks roster anything is possible with Derek Whitmore, Colin Stuart, Paul Szczechura, Phil Varone, Marcus Foligno, Corey Tropp, Travis Turnbull, Joe Finley, Brayden McNabb, TJ Brennan and many more names including Evan Rankin.  Oh yea, there’s also Luke Adam who scored the game winning goal in Cleveland during the last game of the regular season.

The one key player that is questionable is Shaone Morrisonn who has been hindered by a recent injury.

It’s going to be a tough and competitive series and starts tonight at 7pm in Toronto.  You can watch the game live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.  If you’re in Rochester a number of us fans will be going to The Distillery on Winton Rd and everyone is invited to join the fun.

Amerks Start Quest for the Teams First Calder Cup Since 1996 is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

If you want to head out and watch the game come to The Distillery at 3010 Winton Rd S in Rochester to watch the game.  This isn’t anything official sponsored by the team but they’ll have the game on the TV and a bunch of us die hards will be going there to watch it.  Make it a party and stop down!

Time Warner Cable SportsNet Channels are as follows: 26 / 1026 (HD) in #Rochester, 13 / 713 (HD) in #Buffalo. #allamerks

April 18, 2012 4:36 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@AmerksHockey

Rochester Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2012

GAMES 1 AND 2 OF AMERKS-MARLIES SERIES TO BE TELEVISED ON TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTSNET

(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Americans announced today that the first two road games (Games 1 and 2) of the Amerks’ Calder Cup Playoff series versus the Toronto Marlies will be televised in Rochester and Buffalo on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.

Game 1 of the best-of-five series takes place on Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, while Game 2 is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at Ricoh Coliseum.

The television broadcasts of Games 1 and 2 will be produced by Toronto’s Leafs TV and will be available locally to Time Warner subscribers on Channels 26 and 1026 (HD) in Rochester, as well as Channels 13 and 713 (HD) in Buffalo. All games of the series will also be broadcast on Sports 1280 and 107.3 WHTK.

The Amerks will host Game 3 and Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Series. Game 3 will take place on Monday, April 23 at The Blue Cross Arena at 7:05 p.m. Game 4, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday, April 25 at The Blue Cross Arena at 7:05 p.m. Amerks Calder Cup Playoff tickets are available at www.amerks.com, by calling 1-855-GO-AMERKS or at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office.

About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high‐speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting more than 15 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and, through its NaviSite subsidiary, managed and outsourced information technology solutions and cloud services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.timewarnercable.com, www.twcbc.com, www.navisite.com, and www.twcmedia.com.

Games 1 and 2 to be Televised; Distillery Winton Rd Viewing Party is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

If you’re just looking for tickets to games 3 and 4 in Rochester you can purchase $12 tickets by clicking here.  This is a direct offer from the Amerks and your tickets will be held at will call, the same deal they’ve had most of the season.

Game 1 is Thursday at 7pm in Toronto.

Toronto ticket offers:

End Zone seats regular price $21 – discounted price $16

Centre Ice seats regular price $33 – discounted price $25

Platinum seats regular price $41 – discounted price $32

https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=marlies&o=13675785&g=3053

Password is AMERKS

Safe travels and have fun!

Discounted Tickets for Amerks fans Traveling to Toronto is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

I don’t think anyone could have predicted the Norfolk Admirals of all teams to win their last 28 games of the regular season for a historic finish.  The list could go on but since I had posted the predictions back in October I thought I’d see how the results were.

Western Conference

Eastern Conference

I dare you to try and predict next seasons results and see how you do!

2011-2012 The Hockey News AHL Predictions vs End of Season Standings is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.