Amerks Update: Helenius Adapting, Kulich Returns, Ostlund Injured

The Rochester Americans are enjoying some early-season success under new head coach Michael Leone, with a 7-4-0 record. The Amerks extended their winning streak to six games with a 6-3 home win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, before it was snapped in a 6-0 loss in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

The win on Friday was marred by a charging call on Hartford’s Ben Harpur, who bowled Rochester goalie Felix Sandstrom over in the crease. Harpur was suspended four games by the AHL for the incident, and Sandstrom was unable to back up Michael Houser in the loss to the Penguins.

Winger Isak Rosen leads the club with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 11 games, and had a goal and two assists in the win over the Wolf Pack. Rookie Konsta Helenius has adapted quite well to the North American game so far. Through 11 games, the 18-year-old center is tied with Tyson Kozak for the club lead with five goals. Defenseman Zach Metsa is tied with Rosen with nine assists and leads all Amerks blueliners with 10 points.

Related: Sabres Recent Win Streak Has Delayed Need For Immediate Help

Rochester has lost both Kozak and forward Noah Ostlund to injury. The 2022 first-rounder suffered an upper-body injury and is considered week-to-week.

Forward Jiri Kulich, who was demoted by the Sabres last week, quickly got back to his scoring ways, with goals in his first two games against Cleveland and Hartford, and second-year AHLer Viktor Neuchev is on pace to exceed his rookie offensive totals in short order. The 21-year-old winger has nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 11 games.

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