Amerks blanked on Fan Appreciation Night
- Aiden Locke
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
By: Aiden Locke / Program Director
ROCHESTER, N.Y. --- In their final home game of the 2024-25 AHL the Rochester Americans lost the Toronto Marlies 3-0. This game was just the second time the Amerks were shutout at home this season. The first came against the Toronto Marlies back in February in a 1-0 shootout loss. Rochester already has the second seed in the North Division locked up for the playoffs so the loss has no impact on their playoff standing.
"The first 10 minutes they pushed really hard," Amerks head coach Michael Leone said. "I thought we weathered it pretty well it was just one of those nights where the puck didn't go in the net."
Despite the score, Rochester still played well overall. Rochester outshot Toronto 32-to-27 and 23-to-15 in the second and third periods. Toronto goaltender Dennis Hildeby made 32 saves including some for the highlight reel stops en-route to his second shutout of the year.
Rochester played the game short-handed with forwards Isak Rosen and Viktor Neuchev strached along with defensemen Ryan Johnson and Kale Clague riding the pine as well. These were coach's decisions to give the four some rest ahead of the playoffs next weekend. More starters are expected to get Saturday off as well, as the Amerks prepare for a deep playoff push.
"I thought we competed really hard," Leone said. "I didn't mind our game, I didn't like the two goals we gave up, just we gave them up. The guys competed really hard and their goalie was really good and we couldn't find a way to score."
The Toronto Marlies opened up the goal scoring with just under a minute left in the first period. Toronto forward Nick Abruzzese broke in on a sudden rush, which caught Rochester defenseman Zach Metsa flat footed. Abruzzese riffled a shot to the far side from the right circle to cleanly beat Amerks goaltender Devon Levi. Levi finished the game allowing just two goals, with 24 saves on 26 shots faced.
The first period was full of action. Toronto took early control of the game flow, generating multiple quality chances. Levi made a couple highlight reel saves to keep the Marlies off the board. Rochester picked up steam in the second half of the period, getting some quality chances of their own but were unable to capitalize.
"I thought we had some pretty good O-zone time, we gave them too many rushes and they've got some skilled guys who can get behind you and against a good team that's all it takes to lose," Amerks captian Mason Jobst said.
The second period continued to be controlled by the Amerks. However at the 8:49 mark Amerks forward Lukas Rousek turned the puck over at the Toronto blue line, giving a breakaway to former Amerk and Toronto forward Alex Nylander. Nylander with free ice ahead blasted a wrist shot into the top right corner, giving the Marlies a 2-0 lead.
Despite numerous high quality scoring oppertunites, the Rochester offense just couldn't find paydirt through 40 minutes. Hildeby continued his strong performance after being battered constantly by the Rochester offense, making 16 saves in the second period alone.
"This time of year it gets harder and harder to produce and it's those dirty goals I think we're missing a little bit right now and that was the difference tonight," Jobst said.
The third period kept the same game flow that was seen in the first two periods. Toronto added an empty net goal from forward Robert Mastrosimone with just under two minutes remaining. The empty net goal stopped any chance of a late surge from the Rochester offense.
Prior to puck drop, award winners were announced for the Rochester American's season. Team MVP was won by goaltender Devon Levi. Levi went 25-13-4 with seven shutouts with a 2.20 GAA and .919 save percentage. Forward Noah Ostlund won most improved player and co rookie of the year with Sabres first round pick in the 2024 draft, Konsta Helenius. Ostlund finished the season 19 goals and 17 assists in just 44 games. Helenius paired that with 13 goals and 21 assists of his own in 63 games.
More team awards saw forward Josh Dunne win the Bob Zabelny Unsung Hero award, along with defensemen Zach Metsa receiving the Fairand/O'Neil Sportsmanship award and being named Rochester's McCulloch Man of the Year award nominee.
"I'm honored to receive that award," Dunne said. "I think my time here has been great and I think honestly a lot of credit to the other guy's for making it so easy on me to step in, especially with the coaches and leadership. When I stepped in I felt like home right away."
The Amerks will take on the Syracuse Crunch in their first round of playoff action next weekend in the best of five North Division semi-final.
These two teams will square off again in Toronto on Saturday April 19 in the regular season finale, puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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