AMERKS GET BACK TO WORK AFTER COVID-19 STOPPAGE
Mar 22, 2021By Ryan Harr
After erasing a two-goal deficit before eventually falling in a shootout to the Utica Comets on March 10, the Rochester Americans were eager to return to the Flower City for what would have been their first of back-to- back games of the season on the weekend. However, after three players and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, causing an unexpected stoppage and the postponement of four games, the Amerks finally got clearance to the resume full-team activities on Friday afternoon.
With last Friday’s game already postponed, the fourth straight, Rochester is eyeing Wednesday night to return to the Adirondack Bank Center to face the Comets. The Amerks, who have played 10 their first 32 games this season, boasting a 6-3-0-1 record over that span, will play 22 contests over the final month and half.
Appert focused on Rochester
Following the organizational shake-up with the Buffalo Sabres last week highlighted by the departure of head coach Ralph Krueger and assistant coach Steve Smith, general manager Kevyn Adams put immediate plans into motion for the Sabres.
Among those include naming Don Granato as the interim head coach, with former Amerk Matt Ellis and Dan Girardi both going to serve as assistant coaches.
With Girardi having to serve his quarantine requirements and the Amerks idle due to COVID-19 protocols, Amerks head coach Seth Appert found himself on Buffalo’s bench during the team’s contest against the Boston Bruins last Thursday, helping with the Sabres’ defensemen.
After returning from his brief call-up, Appert said Friday afternoon that his focus is and remains in Rochester with the Amerks. The first-year head coach felt it was important to his team that his voice is not only heard by his players, but he is also seen in person.
WATCH: SETH APPERT AFTER MONDAY’S PRACTICE
Staying active during time off
With the Amerks being shutdown due to the COVID-19 protocols, the players were not permitted inside The Blue Cross Arena except to be tested. Therefore, the players had to keep active on their own while trying to stay in hockey shape.
Some players used the time to not only rest the body from the daily grind of hockey, but they also used it as an opportunity to shut off their minds and use the break as a reset going into the next stretch of games.
WATCH: CASEY FITZGERALD AFTER MONDAY’S PRACTICE
Taking advantage of the opportunity
Late last week, the Sabres made a pair of goaltending moves that resulted in Rochester also making one of its own. Following the Amerks signing netminder Stefanos Lekkas to a Professional Contract (PTO), Buffalo inked Michael Houser to an NHL Contract for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.
Lekkas, 25, joins the Amerks after starting the 2020-21 season with the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL), posting a 6-1-2 record with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in nine games. The 6-foot, 200-pound netminder currently leads all ECHL rookie goaltenders in goals-against average while ranking third in wins and fourth in save percentage.
Prior to turning pro, the Elburn, Illinois, native completed a four-year collegiate career at the University of Vermont (H-East), where he finished with a 45-69-20 career record and made 3,913 saves, the most in Hockey East history and fifth-most in NCAA history. As a junior, he appeared in all 34 games while posting a 2.27 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage en route to earning Hockey East Second All-Star Team honors.
He left Vermont after 134 games with the Catamounts, the second-most in program history by a goaltender, ranking first in save percentage (.918), third in goals-against average (2.61) and fourth in wins (45) and shutouts (7).
Prior to joining Vermont, Lekkas played three seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League, backstopping the team its second Clark Cup championship in 2015 after leading league with nine postseason wins.
Additionally, Saturday afternoon, Buffalo acquired a sixth-round selection in the 2021 NHL Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for former Amerks goaltender and reigning team MVP Jonas Johansson.
As a result of the trade, Houser was reassigned to the Sabres’ taxi squad, leaving Rochester with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Lekkas.
WATCH: STEFANOS LEKKAS AFTER MONDAY’S PRACTICE
Lekkas has had three practices with the Amerks since joining the team and admits that having started this season with Fort Wayne, the same team he made his pro debut with toward the end of last season, has allowed his transition to the American Hockey League that much easier.
“Getting that little bit of pro experience is something I’m taking with me here and has helped a lot,” said Lekkas following Monday’s practice.
But, like any player making the jump to the next level, he also understands the need to make adjustments as well as the overall difference in the pace of play.
“I think just having a little more patience in net. Shots are coming a little harder and the speed is a little quicker at this level. I knew there was going to be a little of an adjustment in moving up levels, just like it was from the NCAA to the ECHL, but it’s a step that I’m ready to take.”
Appert said Monday afternoon how great of an opportunity it is for other guys to get in the lineup while Lekkas deserves a chance to get a crack in the American Hockey League.
“I’m pretty familiar with his game,” said Appert, “and his track record from midget hockey, to the USHL, to NCAA and to the ECHL, says he deserves to get a crack in the American Hockey League. He has earned his way here. He’s always been doubted because of his size and he keeps proving people wrong.”
Looking ahead
The Amerks begin a busy three-game week as they look to even the season-series with the Comets on Wednesday, Mar. 24 when they face-off against Utica again for the sixth time of 14 scheduled meetings this season at Adirondack Bank Center. Game time is slated for a 7:00 p.m. and will be carried live on The Sports Leader AM 950/95.7 FM ESPN Rochester as well as AHLTV.