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AMERKS WEEK 15 ROUND-UP | Rochester Americans

AMERKS WEEK 15 ROUND-UP

Sean Malone returns to the lineup, taking the good with the bad and a busy ahead on home ice

Jan 23, 2023

By Suzie Cool

 

Week 15 proved to be a difficult task for the Rochester Americans as it was their first week of the season where they didn’t come away with at least one win.

 

While the team was able to salvage at least one point in an overtime loss against the Bridgeport Islanders on Friday, there were many lessons to be taken away from last week’s action. Not to forget the return of veteran forward, and alternate captain, Sean Malone to the Amerks roster this past Saturday.

 

We cover it all here, and more, with Amerks head coach Seth Appert in our Week 15 Roundup.

 

 

 

Malone has played in just half the games with the Amerks this season, however, when the alternate captain is in the lineup his presence is impactful.

 

“Really everywhere,” started Appert when asked where Malone is most effective when healthy. “It’s hard to describe how much you miss him and the depth he provides at the center position. He’s one of our best defensive centers, if not our best. He’s a penalty killer. He’s on the power-play. He drives our offense. He’s really good in the face-off circle.”

 

 

After almost a month out of the lineup, Malone returned on Saturday when the Amerks took on the Hartford Wolf Pack. In his first game back since Dec. 28, Malone scored his ninth goal of the season, the lone tally in Rochester’s 4-1 loss to close out the weekend.

 

“When he’s out of the lineup, you feel it everywhere and to have him back was huge,” Appert said.

 

 

 

It’s crazy to think that 15 weeks into the 2022-23 campaign, last week was the first in which the Amerks didn’t come away with at least one win.

 

“It wasn’t good enough by any stretch,” commented Appert when asked how last week seemed to challenge the Amerks.

 

A goaltending duel between veteran goaltenders Malcolm Subban and Corey Schneider on Friday carried into overtime, where the Amerks ultimately came up short in a 1-0 loss to the Islanders. While falling into a 3-0 hole on Saturday night, the Amerks were unable to generate any offensive firepower in a 4-1 loss to the Wolf Pack at XL Center.

 

“We weren’t good enough defensively. We’ve been scoring a lot of goals. We haven’t been good enough defensively,” continued Appert when discussing last week’s efforts. “On Friday and…

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