AMERKS SWEEP CRUNCH, ADVANCE TO NORTH DIVISION FINALS
Levi posts second straight shutout over Syracuse in 4-0 win
May 2, 2025Devon Levi was perfect yet again, making 30 saves to post a second consecutive shutout while backstopping the Rochester Americans (3-0) to another 4-0 win, sweeping the Syracuse Crunch (0-3) in Game 3 of the North Division Semifinals Thursday night at Upstate Medical University Arena.
GAME SUMMARY PHOTO GALLERY POST-GAME REPORT
The Amerks win the best-of-five series and move onto the North Division Finals for the third time in four years.
Levi becomes just the third goaltender in franchise history to record shutouts in back-to-back playoff games and the first in 25 years since Mika Noronen did it twice during the 2000 postseason.
Mason Jobst scored twice, including the game-winning goal on a breakaway during the opening period. Kale Clague scored for the third straight game, and Brendan Warren scored the first and final goal of the series, posting an empty-net conversion to secure the sweep.
“We locked them down pretty well,” said Levi. “I was able to see, you know, still fighting through things, but our defense really picked up their forwards and were blocking shots. I think it was a complete effort. Regardless of the outcome, just being able to compete out there with the guys and play for something that is very meaningful gels a group and bonds the group. Everyone's doing it for each other. There are times where in goal, you're alone in your crease, but you could feel the presence of your team and the unity.”
Rochester’s sweep of the Crunch is second in franchise history and first in 28 years, last doing so in 1997. The Amerks are also the first AHL team to advance past the Division Semifinal round and will await the winner of the series between the Laval Rocket and Cleveland Monsters. Rochester outscored Syracuse 11-2 in the series, scoring 11 straight unanswered goals against the Crunch after allowing the first two games of the series in Game 1.
“I thought it was incredible,” said Amerks head coach Michael Leone. “I think the second half of the game was when we took over. I think the best part about it was the first two games I thought we were okay, but we won and then we finally got to our game and I thought we tilted the ice and guys were incredible. The sacrifice and the effort were awesome.”
FIRST PERIOD
Syracuse started the game with a strong neutral zone forecheck, generating several turnovers to sustain time in the attacking zone. The Amerks clamped down on defense, helping Levi before the offense adjusted to negate the forecheck and capitalize on the other end of the ice.
Nearly 16 minutes in, Jobst stole the puck at center ice and sped off on a breakaway. The lefty shot cut forehand, then to his backhand before sinking the puck five-hole as he crashed into the goal after the puck had passed through Syracuse goaltender Brandon Halverson and crossed the goal line for the 1-0 advantage.
“I don't think you ever expect to beat this team three times in a row,” said Jobst. “They work so hard, and they don't give you much offensively. I thought we did a great job and obviously Devon was unreal.”
SECOND PERIOD
The Crunch flooded the net with shots, banging 10 onto Levi through the first seven minutes of the period. Daniel Walcott was turned away in between the dots with a shot that Levi used his mask to fight off in the first four minutes of the frame.
During a power-play, Derrick Pouliot scooped a rebound off Levi from the left circle, then cut to his backhand but was turned away by the All-Star netminder.
Jiri Kulich had the chance of the period for Rochester, picking off a puck on the right side in the attacking zone, but Halverson matched Levi in the middle period as the duo traded saves in the back half of the frame, keeping the contest 1-0 through 40 minutes.
THIRD PERIOD
Clague drew the dagger 1:45 into the third period, replicating the same shot at nearly the same time as each of his goals from Games 1 and 2 of the series. The seventh-year pro collected the puck at the left point, banging a slap-shot past Halverson to double the Amerks lead at 2-0.
“It's exciting hockey and anyone in the room will tell you that we have the group to do a special thing this year,” said Clague. “It makes it even more exciting. The team defense we've been playing has been fun. We've been doing a great job with it these last three games. It's a collective group.”
For good measure, Jobst increased the lead to 3-0 just ahead of the 8:00 mark of the third. Jobst’s second of the night came off a tip-in, redirecting a point shot from Zachary Metsa that trickled through Halverson’s legs to squeak over the goal-line.
“It was huge,” said Jobst. “It just gave us just a little bit of breathing room. I felt like it deflated them a little bit. Again, I think traditionally in this series, we feel like it's like the first to three. It's kind of a race to three. I think if you get to a two-goal lead, it gives us a ton of confidence and we can just start playing more simple, get-it-deep type hockey.”
For a second straight game, Syracuse was forced to pull Halverson with ample time remaining on the clock in an attempt to find some semblance of life, but its pulse went flat with 1:18 to go as Warren shot the puck into the vacant goal to seal the 4-0 final and series win.
The Amerks fans were vocal early and often in Syracuse, hijacking the building to make it feel like an added home game on the schedule for the Amerks.
“It just goes to show what a great fanbase we have,” said Levi. “It felt like a home game. You hear them chanting and giving us their support. It's been great. The fans have been unbelievable packing the building and giving us some energy when we needed it.”
STARS AND STRIPES
Rochester’s sweep is only its second of the Crunch in franchise history and first since 1997 … Rochester went 8-for-8 on the penalty kill through three games of the series … Clague leads the AHL in playoff scoring with five points (3+2) … Levi’s consecutive shutouts are the first by an Amerks goaltender in the postseason since Mika Noronen went back-to-back against Albany in 2000 … Levi’s shutout streak is at 156:31 as the Amerks scored 11 unanswered goals against Syracuse.
UP NEXT
The Amerks now await their opponent as Rochester will face the winner of the series between first-place Laval and fifth-place Cleveland in a best-of-five series that will start at a date to be determined.
Goal Scorers
SYR: None
ROC: M. Jobst (1-GWG, 2), K. Clague (3), B. Warren (2-EN)
Goaltenders
SYR: B. Halverson – 23/26 (L)
ROC: D. Levi – 30/30 (W)
Shots
SYR: 30
ROC: 27
Special Teams
SYR: PP (0/3) | PK (0/0)
ROC: PP (0/0) | PK (3/3)
Three Stars:
1. ROC – D. Levi
2. ROC – M. Jobst
3. ROC – K. Clague