Amerks Update | Previewing the North Division Semifnals vs. Utica

Seth Appert felt something special when the Rochester Americans met for their team meal in Belleville on Thursday before a decisive Game 2 against the Senators.
"It was really one of my favorite team dinners that I have ever been at," the Amerks coach said. "We talked about it the next morning, how we have a group that loves each other, loves playing hockey with one another, and loves competing.
"You try to create an environment every year when you start that there is a group of men that loves each other, and loves the team that you're coaching. … This group has that."

Rochester went into enemy territory with little playoff experience under its belt and swept Belleville in the best-of-three series to advance to the second round for the first time since 2005.
The Amerks now enter the North Division Semifinal round against the top-seeded Utica Comets. Even though this will be the first-ever playoff series between Rochester and Utica, the two teams played 12 games against one another during the regular season.
Rochester finished with a 6-5-1 record against the Comets despite losing the first three meetings while Utica started the season on a 14-game win streak. The Amerks made a statement in a must-win scenario with an 8-1 victory over the Comets in the regular-season finale.
The Amerks will play Game 1 on the road at Adirondack Bank Center starting at 7 p.m. All games will be available on
AHLTV
or 95.7FM/950 AM in Rochester.

Series Schedule

With Rochester advancing into the divisional semifinal round, the series changes to a best-of-five format. Here is the outline of start times and locations for each game:
Game 1 | Tuesday, May 10 - Rochester at Utica - 7:00 p.m. at Adirondack Bank Center
Game 2 | Saturday, May 14 - Rochester at Utica - 7:00 p.m. at Adirondack Bank Center
Game 3 | Sunday, May 15 - Utica at Rochester - 5:05 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena
\Game 4 | Tuesday, May 17 - Utica at Rochester - 7:05 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena
\Game 5 | Thursday, May 19 - Rochester at Utica - 7:00 p.m. at Adirondack Bank Center
*if necessary
Tickets for Game 3 at Blue Cross Arena are on sale now. Prices start as low as just $16 and range in price up to $29 depending on seat location. Fans are encouraged to buy early and save as ticket prices will rise as we approach the game date.
Brett Murray, who scored the overtime winner in Game 2 against Belleville, spoke Monday about how the Amerks were inspired by a raucous home crowd during in Game 1.
"With the emotion of the crowd that first night, it gives you something to play for," Murray said. "When we went into Belleville, we said we want to play again in front of the home crowd again because it was just awesome."

The matchup

Utica (43-20-8) was one of the best teams in the entire AHL during the regular season, finishing with the fourth-best winning percentage in the league (.660) and 95 points.
Offensively, the Comets were led by Chase De Leo (21+35), Fabian Zetterland (24+28), and AJ Greer (22+30). Rookie Alexander Holtz, the seventh-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, led the team with 26 goals.
Goaltender Akira Schmid finished with a 22-8-5 record, .911 save percentage, and .260 GAA.
Utica's power play ranked second in the North Division at 21.6 percent, trailing Rochester (23.5).
"They're going to be good all around," Appert said. "They're a great line rush team. They got some good shooters on the power play. So, I think special teams will be a huge part of this series."
Multiple Amerks flourished against the Comets this season. JJ Peterka had nine points (4+5) in 11 meeting; Jack Quinn had 14 (4+10) in eight. Casey Fitzgerald had two goals and five assists, including three in regular-season finale.
Aaron Dell went 1-0 with a .949 save percentage in two appearances against Utica.

Lineup notes

Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is still listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury that kept him out of the last series against Belleville, Appert said. Luukkonen has started to skate on his own but is not ready to be put into game action.
Dell will continue to be relied upon in Luukkonen's absence. The veteran goaltender went 2-0 with 64 saves, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.33 goal-against average against Belleville.
Forward Linus Weissbach, who sustained an injury during Game 1 against the Senators, will also remain out.
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is considered day to day with a lower-body injury. Samuelsson was also held out of the two games versus the Senators but is likely to play during this series, Appert said.
Samuelsson had 15 points (2+13) in 22 games with Rochester this season before he was recalled to Buffalo in January.
Brandon Davidson, meanwhile, is close to making his return to the Amerks lineup. The veteran defenseman has played 23 games for Rochester this season, scoring six points (1+5).