Amerks back in North Division Finals for second straight year

The Rochester Americans open the best-of-five North Division Finals against the Toronto Marlies on the road Thursday night at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Amerks are coming off a thrilling 3-2 series victory over Syracuse in the semifinal round, punctuated by a dramatic 5-4 overtime win to clinch the series in Game 5.

It's the second straight year that the Amerks find themselves in the North Division Finals, which is where their run ended last spring with a three-game sweep against Laval. Amerks coach Seth Appert reminded his players of that experience in the moments following Game 5 in Syracuse.

"Last year beating Utica kind of felt like you slayed the dragon because they were the number one team all year," Appert said. "Maybe we got a little too high then. Game 1 in Laval didn't feel like we had the same level of urgency, intensity and emotional connection to the series."

Appert felt his club shook off the hangover, but the early-series deficit was too much to overcome. After rebounding from a 2-0 hole in the semifinals, Appert wants to see his team come out with urgency against Toronto.

"We want to come out in attack mode, period one, Game 1," Appert said. "It doesn't guarantee a win. But it gives us our best chance to win."

Mr. Clutch

Defenseman Lawrence Pilut completed the Amerks' comeback in their previous series with an overtime winner to seal a 5-4 victory in Game 5. Pilut's overtime marker was his second of the game. He ranks second on the team in scoring this postseason with five points (3+2) in five games and played a key role blocking shots and creating turnovers all series.

"He is one of, if not the, hardest workers in the weight room every day," Appert said. "The amount of extra work that the young man puts in every day is incredible. Watching the passion, the competitiveness within him in the last couple months and the playoff series, it's really impressive."

The 27-year-old has taken a long and unconventional route that has landed him back in Rochester after he initially joined the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Sweden in 2018. Pilut opted to forego a qualifying offer when his entry-level contract expired and left for the KHL, but returned this season after spending two years with Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Pilut played 17 games with Buffalo this season but has been full-time with Rochester since December.

"He came back here to play in the National Hockey League," Appert said. "He did for a bit. But for whatever reason, he navigated his way back to Rochester. For a lot of players at his age, their level of commitment and engagement might be just a little under what you need it to be, because of the situation. His is the exact opposite. He is as all-in as anyone on our team."

Block party

The Amerks blocked 36 shots in Game 5 against Syracuse, answering Appert's challenge to do whatever it takes to succeed. The coach felt his team's compete level was slightly below the Crunch's in Games 1 and 2, prompting him to implore his players to dig deeper.

Rochester responded by sacrificing their bodies, getting physical and winning puck battles. It's a recipe they will have to replicate against Toronto and it eschews the message Appert has preached to his team all year.

"You only block shots when you love your teammates," Appert said. "That's just the reality. It's a miserable thing to do. Nobody wants to do it. It hurts. Teams that block shots for each other love playing for each other."

FAN-tastic

The Amerks were given a boost on the road by a boisterous traveling party that included thousands of Rochester fans making their way to Syracuse. Their loyalty wasn't taken for granted. Amerks fans arrived early and stayed late, with hundreds of supporters sticking around to see the team off as they boarded the bus back to Rochester.

"That was one of the more special things I've ever been a part of," Appert said. "I've been fortunate to coach in a lot of big games, nationally, NCAA Championships, World Championships. That was insane."

Appert credited the group for creating that bond between fans and players. While the series starts with two games in Toronto, he expects a raucous environment when the series returns to Rochester for Game 3 on May 17.

"The guys have made their team a team that the fans can fall in love with," Appert said. "The grit, the togetherness, the plucky-ness for lack of a better term of this group has resonated with this fan base. You could see it that night and it was really special."

Injury Update

Appert revealed on Wednesday that Brendan Warren, who has been listed as day to day and did not play in the semifinals vs. Syracuse, is trending toward being available for the North Division Finals.

Filip Cederqvist returned to practice on Wednesday but has not yet been cleared to play. Brando Biro remains out for the season after undergoing surgery.

Playoff scoring leaders

| Player | GP | G | A | PTS | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. Michael Mersch | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | | 2. Lawrence Pilut | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | | T-3. Jiri Kulich | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | | T-3. Mason Jobst | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | | T-3. Brett Murray | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | | T-3. Isak Rosen | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | | T-3. Linus Weissbach | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | | T-3. Lukas Rousek | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 |

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Playoff goaltending leaders

| Player | GP | W | L | OTL | GAA | SV% | SO | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Malcolm Subban | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2.71 | .921 | 1 | | | | | | | | | 0 |