Rochester heads into playoffs without a key player.
By Kevin Oklobzia / Pickinsplinters.com
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans earned the final playoff berth in the American Hockey League on Saturday without even playing.
Not all news was good, however.
The Amerks will be without goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen when they face either the Belleville Senators or Laval Rocket in the best-of-three play-in series starting Wednesday in downtown Rochester.
The Amerks moved into the fifth and final playoff position in the AHL’s North Division when the Toronto Marlies lost 5-2 at Belleville.
In losing, the Marlies points-earned percentage fell to .549 for their 72 games, dropping them below the Amerks’ .553 percentage for 76 games. Because teams played a different number of games, percentage was used to determine playoff spots instead of the traditional point system.
Luukkonen suffered what is being termed a lower body injury when he was involved in a goal-mouth pileup midway through the first period of Friday’s 8-1 victory over the Utica Comets.
“That one stinks,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said Saturday evening. “It stinks for the team, it stinks for him. Organizationally you’d like him to have that experience.”
Luukkonen was hurt when Utica forward Ryan Schmelzer drove to the net off left wing and crashed into the goalie. The force of the collision pushed Luukkonen backward and into the goal post, with Schmelzer falling on top of him.
Luukkonen, who started seven of the final eight games, did skate to the bench on his own, stopping to question the referee regarding no penalty call, and then walked down the tunnel to the dressing room.
“He’s likely out for the short-term,” Appert said. “I’d be surprised if he’s available for the play-in series, and even the next round is a question mark.”
Aaron Dell will get the call in goal. He was terrific on Friday, taking over with a 2-0 lead and stopping 23 shots over the final 48 minutes, 4 seconds. His only playing time between April 10 and Friday was a 20-save, 2-0 loss at Cleveland last Sunday.
The Amerks first-round opponent will be determined Saturday night. If Laval earns a point at Syracuse, then the Amerks play Belleville and Games 2 and 3 would be in Ontario Friday and Sunday. If Laval loses in regulation, the Amerks play the Rocket, with Games 2 and 3 in Quebec on Friday and Saturday.
The Amerks went 3-3-1-1 against Belleville and were 4-3-1-0 against Laval during the regular season, when they finished with a 37-29-7-3 record.
They were in playoff mode for a good month, desperate to earn points to make up for a three-month stretch when key players were hurt, on the COVID-19 list or on recall to the parent Buffalo Sabres.
The busy schedule down the stretch, coupled with the pressure of needing to win, could have been a concern heading into the playoffs. How much would the Amerks have left?
But Appert said playing just one game this past week provide a mental break as well time recharge.
“I think I was concerned about that the last month but the benefit of this week will help,” Appert said. “Playing just one game was good for guys that played a lot, like (JJ) Peterka, (Arttu) Ruotsalainen, (Jack) Quinn, (Ethan) Prow, (Jimmy) Schuldt.
Quinn Rookie of the Year
Before the game Friday, AHL President Scott Howson presented Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka with their All-Rookie Team crystal.
“That was great to be able to do that together,” Quinn said. “We’ve kind of been playing together all year and become really great friends. It was cool to cap it off like that, going out together.”
Quinn also received even more impressive hardware, the Dudley “Red” Garrett Plaque as Rookie of the Year. He’s the first Amerk since goalie Mika Noronen in 1999-2000 to win the award, and first Amerks forward since Donald Audette in 1989-90. The Sabres did have two prospects win the award when they stocked the Portland Pirates, Nathan Gerbe in 2008-09 and Tyler Ennis in 2009-10.
“It means a lot, it’s a pretty special honor to receive,” Quinn said. “I think it’s pretty special that one of us in Rochester could get it.”
Quinn finished with 26 goals, 35 assists and 61 points in 45 games. His 1.36 points-per-game average is third-best in the league.
Peterka, meanwhile, sits ninth overall in league scoring with 28-40-68 points in 70 games. No rookie produced more points.
“I’m so proud of both of them for how much better they got,” Appert said. “And JJ probably had a little extra in him tonight – maybe he thought he should have gotten the big award.”
“He might have; we’ll have to ask him,” Quinn said with a big smile. “I definitely wouldn’t be at the stage where I’m at without playing with him and hopefully I’ve been able to give him some things as well.”
Peterka said the award went to the rightful winner, however.
“Quinner played a fantastic season,” Peterka said. “At the end of the day, he really deserved it.”
Fitzgerald solid in return
Casey Fitzgerald was returned to the Amerks on Friday after four months in Buffalo, where he played 36 NHL games (six assists).
He said coming back to the Amerks “was awesome, seeing the guys playing just like they did where we left off.”
Had Fitzgerald been sent back a week or two earlier, it’s possible the Amerks would have clinched a playoff spot since he solidifies the defense and allows the coaching staff to properly slot defensemen in the proper spots.
“When you look at the two years since Kevyn (Adams, the Sabres general manager) got hired, where we were then and where we are now, both in Buffalo and Rochester, there’s no reason for me to question those decisions,” coach Seth Appert said. “As much as you’d love to have him, two years ago when we got hired, Casey Fitzgerald was not thought of as an NHL prospect and we’re so darn proud of him, how hard he works, how miserable he is to play against, how he’s gone from a guy who was mostly a healthy scratch as a first-year pro to a full-time NHL player this year.”
An oddity with goaltending
It’s quite rare to see all four goalies play in one game. It’s almost unheard of to see them all in the first period.
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left after 11:56 and Aaron Dell finished the game. Meanwhile, Utica coach Kevin Dineen inserted backup Akira Schmid 15:56 into the game after starter Nico Daws allowed four goals on 14 shots.
Amerks team award winners
MVP and Rookie of the Year: Jack Quinn.
Rob Zabelny Unsung Hero and Most Improved: Brandon Biro.
Fairand/O’Neil Sportmsmanship: Ethan Prow.
Most popular player: JJ Peterka.