The Rochester Americans are one win away from advancing to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs after a 4-0 victory over the Syracuse Crunch in Game 2 at Blue Cross Arena on Sunday afternoon, but the club may be without rookie defenseman Vsevolod Komarov for some time after being knocked out in a fight.
Komarov dropped the gloves with Syracuse’s Jack Finley in the second period and crumpled to the ice after being hit with a right hand. Amerks head coach Michael Leone indicated that the 21-year-old blueliner was feeling better, but was in concussion protocol and that he would miss some time. The series shifts to Syracuse for Game 3 on Thursday, and if Rochester can close out the series, their break between series could be over a week, since Laval and Cleveland do not open their first-round series until Wednesday.
In Sabres prospect news, 2024 draft pick Luke Osburn was named the USHL Defenseman of the Year on Tuesday. Osburn was the second of four Buffalo defensive draft picks in 2024. The 18-year-old posted 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists) in 55 games for the Youngstown Phantoms and will be headed to the University of Wisconsin to play for the Badgers next season.
Here is how some former Sabres did in the playoffs on Monday:
Sam Reinhart(FLA) 1A, +1, 21:54 TOI, 4 Hits, 3 SOG
Evan Rodrigues(FLA) 17:03 TOI, 2 Hits, 1 SOG
Dmitri Kulikov(FLA) 1A, +1, 14:59 TOI, 5 Hits, 2 SOG
Ilya Lyubushkin(DAL) 1A, +1, 17:26 TOI
Zemgus Girgensons (TB) 11:15 TOI, 5 Hits
