The Buffalo Sabres proved on Sunday night that it isn’t how you start, but how you finish. Despite dominating the shot clock and the physical play for forty minutes, the Sabres found themselves staring down a two-goal hole early in the third period. However, a massive surge led by Tage Thompson turned a potential frustrating loss into a 4-3 series-opening statement win over the Boston Bruins. Dominance Without Reward From the opening draw, the Sabres looked like the faster team. The energy at KeyBank Center was electric, especially after Mattias Samuelsson and Alex Tuch set the tone with heavy hits early in the first. Tuch’s open-ice collision with Viktor Arvidsson signaled that Buffalo was ready for the playoff grind. Despite outshooting Boston 14-9 in the first period, the Sabres headed to the room down by one. A tough block in the defensive zone took an unlucky bounce right to Morgan Geekie, who beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give the Bruins the...Read More

HERSHEY, Pa. — It was a finish fitting for the 70th season of Rochester Americans hockey. With their entire season on the line and no margin for error, the Amerks battled through a rollercoaster finale at the Giant Center to secure the single standings point they needed. Despite a 5-4 overtime loss to the Hershey Bears, the result was a victory in the big picture. By forcing the game beyond regulation, Rochester successfully leapfrogged the Utica Comets to claim the final playoff spot in the North Division. From a record-setting shot barrage in the first period to a clutch power-play equalizer in the third, the Amerks proved they weren’t ready for their summer to start just yet. Dominant Opening Frame: Amerks Outshoot Bears in Scoreless First The Rochester Americans knew they needed a fast start in their do-or-die finale. They delivered a performance for the record books on Sunday afternoon at the Giant Center. Despite an initial scare where the...Read More

The countdown has officially hit zero. For the first time since late April of 2011, playoff hockey is back in Western New York. Tonight, the Buffalo Sabres will hit the ice at KeyBank Center to open their first-round series against the Boston Bruins, looking to set the tone in what promises to be a grueling matchup. Securing the Atlantic Division crown was no small feat for this group. Buffalo achieved a massive 109-point regular season, becoming just the fifth franchise in league history to capture a division title after trailing by eight or more points in the standings. Now, the real test begins against a Boston squad that finished just nine points behind them in fourth place. Here is everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s 7:30 p.m. puck drop. Broadcast Information Whether you are heading downtown or watching from home, there are plenty of ways to catch the action. Television (Local): MSG Television (National): ESPN Streaming (Local): Gotham...Read More

The script for the 70th season in Rochester Americans history has come down to the final page. After months of grinding through the AHL schedule, the Amerks enter game 72 on Sunday afternoon with their entire postseason fate hanging in the balance. The mission is simple but daunting: earn at least one point against the Hershey Bears, or the summer starts tomorrow. The Playoff Picture The pressure intensified Saturday night following a difficult road trip to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Despite keeping pace in shots early on, the Amerks suffered a stinging 8-0 loss to the Penguins. The shutout was Rochester’s fourth of the year—all of which have occurred away from home—and saw both Scott Ratzlaff and Topias Leinonen struggle in the crease. While Rochester stumbled, the Utica Comets surged, sweeping the Providence Bruins to pull even in the standings. Because Utica holds the tiebreaker, the Amerks find themselves on the outside looking in as they wake up Sunday morning. To reclaim their...Read More