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Even in defeat, Buffalo Sabres prospects look promising

By Sion Fawkes

SYRACUSE, NY - APRIL 22: Malcolm Subban #47 of Rochester Americans tends the net against the Syracuse Crunch during Game 2 of the north division semifinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs at Upstate Medical University Arena on April 22, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - APRIL 22: Malcolm Subban #47 of Rochester Americans tends the net against the Syracuse Crunch during Game 2 of the north division semifinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs at Upstate Medical University Arena on April 22, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) /
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The Rochester Americans couldn’t snag the win last night in Hershey. But Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Company made their mark. 

Sometimes, things just don’t go your way, and that’s exactly what happened to the Rochester Americans last night. Nonetheless, the Buffalo Sabres top prospects still enjoyed a good outing, even if the puck didn’t get past Hershey Bears goaltender Hunter Shepard, whose performance was an exact 180 from what we saw on Tuesday night.

For example, Lukas Rousek pulled off one of the most incredible passes we’ve seen so far in the playoffs, and Jiri Kulich answered the call. But somehow, Shepard made the save.

Rousek and Kulich also linked up for another dynamic play that saw both players charging the net and going back and forth with the puck. Unfortunately, Shepard read the play and blocked yet another incredible shot on goal from Kulich.

Early in the game, Isak Rosen hit Tyson Kozak with a pass when the latter found himself right in front of Shepard, only for the goaltender to somehow stop a shot that nearly always seems to find its way into the net.

Buffalo Sabres prospects still impressed, despite loss

Speaking of Kozak, it’s becoming the norm to see two things from him: His never-ending motor, and the way he’s been contributing more lately to offense. Both are factors you will see improve even more next season.

I also wanted to give credit to goaltender Malcolm Subban, who I would love to see return to the Amerks next season. While he was charged with the loss, he’s nonetheless put together an outstanding string of games so far in the postseason, he’s faced 320 shots on goal on 292 saves and a shutout, good for a 0.913 save percentage thus far.

Related Story. Sabres: What makes Vsevolod Komarov so intriguing?. light

And finally, we were all excited for Matt Savoie’s AHL debut. Early on, he put himself in position to score, though he was not credited with the shot on goal. As Savoie further acclimates to the game’s speed, expect him to hear his name called more often.

Source: Hershey puts the clamps on Amerks’ offense, draws even in AHL East final by Mike Harrington, BuffaloNews.com

(Statistics provided by Amerks.com)

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