Latest news with #AHLNorthDivision
Ottawa Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Laval Rocket faces red-hot Dollard goalie Devon Levi in North Division final
Article content Devon Levi will allow another goal before his playoff run ends. That much is guaranteed. Article content It just seems like the Rochester Americans' goaltender, a Dollard-des-Ormeaux native, is unbeatable for the time being. And that could prove to be a problem for the Laval Rocket as the teams prepared for their best-of-five AHL North Division final. Article content 'I try not to let the outcomes of games really affect the way I think,' Levi, 23, recently told The Gazette. 'I don't get too high when I'm not scored on. If I do get scored on a lot, I don't want to be on an emotional roller-coaster. As long as my process is good, I'm doing the right things and have good intentions and my habits are there, that's all I can control. Article content Article content 'If I'm doing the same things and give up seven goals, in an ideal world I'd feel the same. Trust my process, trust my base and not let the outcome of the game dictate how I feel.' Article content Article content Levi has been on an incredible roll heading into Wednesday night's opening game at Blue Cross Arena (7 p.m., RDS). During Rochester's sweep of Syracuse in its first-round series, Levi recorded consecutive shutouts, allowed only two goals, had a ridiculous 0.67 goals-against average and a .978 save percentage. He hasn't allowed a goal since 3:29 of the second period of Game 1 and has a shutout streak of 156:31. Article content As the last line of defence, Levi knows the Americans will go as far as he takes them. He has been called the team's 'biggest piece' by Rochester captain Mason Jobst, and the articulate Levi is prepared to embrace that challenge. Article content 'It's not something out of the ordinary,' Levi said. 'I accepted that role when I became a goaltender. You have a big job. You have the pressure on your shoulders. I thrive under that pressure and enjoy it. I love it. I want to help in any way that I can. It definitely excites me, but I also have belief in my team. I'm there for them and they're going to be there for me when I need them. We can help each other be successful.' Article content Article content Levi was a major component in the Americans (42-22-5) finishing second in the division behind Laval, which was first overall in the AHL. He had a league-leading seven shutouts in 42 games while going 25-13-4, along with a 2.20 GAA and .919 save percentage. Article content Selected by Florida in the seventh round (No. 212 overall) in 2020, the Panthers traded Levi to the Buffalo Sabres in 2021, along with a conditional 2022 first-round pick (used to select centre Jiri Kulich No. 28 overall) in exchange for forward Sam Reinhart. Article content Article content While Levi has thrived in the minors, his ascendancy to the NHL has proved more difficult, although he has been placed in a few untenable situations by the rebuilding Sabres. He went 2-7 in nine games this season with a 4.12 GAA and .872 save percentage, but was more successful in 2023-24. In 23 games (21 starts) the 6-foot, 192-pounder was 10-8-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .899 save percentage. In 39 NHL games (36 starts) Levi is 17-17-2 with a 3.29 average and .894 save percentage.
Montreal Gazette
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Laval Rocket faces red-hot Dollard goalie Devon Levi in North Division final
Laval Rocket By Devon Levi will allow another goal before his playoff run ends. That much is guaranteed. It just seems like the Rochester Americans' goaltender, a Dollard-des-Ormeaux native, is unbeatable for the time being. And that could prove to be a problem for the Laval Rocket as the teams prepared for their best-of-five AHL North Division final. 'I try not to let the outcomes of games really affect the way I think,' Levi, 23, recently told The Gazette. 'I don't get too high when I'm not scored on. If I do get scored on a lot, I don't want to be on an emotional roller-coaster. As long as my process is good, I'm doing the right things and have good intentions and my habits are there, that's all I can control. 'If I'm doing the same things and give up seven goals, in an ideal world I'd feel the same. Trust my process, trust my base and not let the outcome of the game dictate how I feel.' Levi has been on an incredible roll heading into Wednesday night's opening game at Blue Cross Arena (7 p.m., RDS). During Rochester's sweep of Syracuse in its first-round series, Levi recorded consecutive shutouts, allowed only two goals, had a ridiculous 0.67 goals-against average and a .978 save percentage. He hasn't allowed a goal since 3:29 of the second period of Game 1 and has a shutout streak of 156:31. As the last line of defence, Levi knows the Americans will go as far as he takes them. He has been called the team's 'biggest piece' by Rochester captain Mason Jobst, and the articulate Levi is prepared to embrace that challenge. 'It's not something out of the ordinary,' Levi said. 'I accepted that role when I became a goaltender. You have a big job. You have the pressure on your shoulders. I thrive under that pressure and enjoy it. I love it. I want to help in any way that I can. It definitely excites me, but I also have belief in my team. I'm there for them and they're going to be there for me when I need them. We can help each other be successful.' Levi was a major component in the Americans (42-22-5) finishing second in the division behind Laval, which was first overall in the AHL. He had a league-leading seven shutouts in 42 games while going 25-13-4, along with a 2.20 GAA and .919 save percentage. Selected by Florida in the seventh round (No. 212 overall) in 2020, the Panthers traded Levi to the Buffalo Sabres in 2021, along with a conditional 2022 first-round pick (used to select centre Jiri Kulich No. 28 overall) in exchange for forward Sam Reinhart. While Levi has thrived in the minors, his ascendancy to the NHL has proved more difficult, although he has been placed in a few untenable situations by the rebuilding Sabres. He went 2-7 in nine games this season with a 4.12 GAA and .872 save percentage, but was more successful in 2023-24. In 23 games (21 starts) the 6-foot, 192-pounder was 10-8-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .899 save percentage. In 39 NHL games (36 starts) Levi is 17-17-2 with a 3.29 average and .894 save percentage. If Levi is the Sabres' goalie of the future, it appears he won't be rushed into that role. Last summer, Buffalo signed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a five-year, US$23.75-million contract. 'You put your trust and faith that it'll happen eventually if you do the right things,' said Levi, who played for the midget Lac St. Louis Lions and Carleton Place (CCHL) before attending Boston's Northeastern University, where he majored in computer science with a minor in business. 'One of the reasons I started playing was to play in the NHL and be the best. That's obviously a goal and a big motivation. But that's only half of the puzzle. I started playing because of my love and passion for the game. I don't care where it is. I just want to go out there and play.' The series' second game is Friday night in Rochester before resuming next Wednesday at Place Bell in Laval. The Americans are scheduled to travel on Monday, leaving Levi plenty of time for family and friends while balancing his schedule. Away from the rink, Levi paints and plays piano on his keyboard. 'Returning home is the least of my worries,' he said. 'It will be a blessing to see my support system. There will be time.' While Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent didn't reveal his netminder choice, it appeared Cayden Primeau would start in goal after the team's Wednesday morning skate.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres Notes - Amerks Get Extended Vacation, Ex-Sabres Behind In Playoffs
The Rochester Americans earned themselves some time to heal up and rest with their three-game sweep of the Syracuse Crunch last week, but the club had to await the winner of the Laval-Cleveland series to see who they will face in the next round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Rockets finished off the Monsters in four games, but the clubs will not start their series until next Wednesday, giving the Amerks a 13-day break in between games. Laval won the AHL North Division with 101 points (nine points ahead of Rochester), which means the Amerks will host the first two games of the best-of-five series on Wednesday and Friday, before heading to Quebec for Games 3, 4 & 5(if necessary) on May 21, 23, and 25. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change It has not been a good start for some former Sabres playing on teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Edmonton Oilers rallied from a 2-0 deficit in Las Vegas in Game 1 on Tuesday to win over Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2. The two clubs meet on Thursday in Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena. In Toronto, Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues, and Dmitri Kulikov's Florida Panthers are behind the Maple Leafs 2-0 after a 4-3 loss at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. Former Sabre Jake McCabe assisted on Mitch Marner's game-winner early in the third. Here is how some former Sabres did in the playoffs on Tuesday and Wednesday: William Carrier(CAR) 8:38 TOI, 7 Hits Eric Robinson(CAR) 8:02 TOI, 1 SOG, 2 Hits Taylor Hall(CAR) +1, 15:57 TOI, 3 SOG, 2 Hits Mark Jankowski(CAR) 6:17 TOI, 2 SOG, 1 Hit Ilya Lyubushkin(DAL) 1A, 17:55 TOI, 1 Hit Evander Kane (EDM) 1A, +1, 14:50 TOI, 2 SOG, 5 Hits Jeff Skinner(EDM) Did Not Play Sam Reinhart(FLA) -1, 23:06 TOI, 2 SOG, 4 Hits Evan Rodrigues(FLA) -2, 8:48 TOI, 2 SOG Dmitri Kulikov(FLA) -1, 13:47 TOI, 2 Hits Jake McCabe(TOR) 1A, +1, 21:00 TOI, 2 Hits Jack Eichel(VEG) 1A, -1, 23:00 TOI, 2 SOG, 1 Hit Victor Olofsson(VEG) -1, 14:48 TOI, 3 SOG, 1 Hit Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Amerks Rally To Take Series Opener Against Syracuse
The Rochester Americans are seeking revenge against their closest geographic rival, as the Syracuse Crunch were responsible for their early exit in the Calder Cup Playoffs one year ago. The two clubs opened their AHL North Division first-round series on Friday, and after falling behind 2-0 in the second period, the Amerks quickly erased the deficit and held on for a 3-2 victory at Blue Cross Arena. Kale Clague scored the game winner just under four minutes into the third period and Rochester held on to take Game 1 of the best-of-five series. Former Sabre Conor Sheary and Dylan Duke put the Crunch up by a pair in the middle frame, but the Amerks got on the scoreboard just under a minute later on a goal from Brendan Warren. Riley Fiddler-Schultz tied the game and helped set up Clague for the difference maker. A Claguer 💣 from the left point... LET'S GO 💪 #LetsDoThis — X-Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 26, 2025 Other Sabres Stories Questions Yet To Be Answered If Adams Will Remain As Sabres GM Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic Devon Levi made 25 saves for the win, but the Amerks did not get any contribution from the four players who were sent down by the parent Buffalo Sabres at the end of the season last week. Winger Isak Rosen, centers Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, and Tyson Kozak had a combined eight shots on goal in the contest, but 2024 first-round pick Konsta Helenius did set up Fiddler-Schultz for his tying marker. The two clubs will play on Sunday afternoon before the series shifts to Syracuse for Games 3 and 4 (if necessary) on Thursday and Saturday. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
