Sabres Daily: Rochester Win Series Opener In Toronto; Ullmark Nominated For Vezina

The Rochester Americans opened the AHL North Division Final on a winning note, jumping out to a three-goal lead and holding off a late rally from the Toronto Marlies to win 4-3 at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Thursday.

Stop us if you've heard this one before…

JIRI KULICH ON THE POWER PLAY 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qal3CMrGN5

— x-Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) May 12, 2023

The Americans responded to an early Toronto goal from Nick Abruzzese with four straight tallies. Kohen Olischefski’s short-handed goal tied the game and Brett Murray gave Rochester the lead after 20 minutes. 2021 first-rounder Isak Rosen extended the lead to 3-1 with a power play goal in the middle frame and and 2022 first-rounder Jiri Kulich added another on the man advantage early in the third. Toronto’s Joseph Blandisi narrow the gap to 4-2 and Kyle Clifford scored with Erik Kallgren pulled for the extra attacker. Malcolm Subban held off the Marlies onslaught, making 11 third-period saves to preserve the victory.

Game 2 in the best-of-five series is Saturday afternoon in Toronto before the series shifts to Rochester for Games 3 and 4,

Sabres In Case You Missed It

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• Americans Underdogs To Top-Seeded Marlies

A HUGE power play goal from Isak Rosen 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6w56RZ2DcD

— x-Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) May 12, 2023

Ullmark Gets Nominated For Vezina

Former Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, along with Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

Ullmark had a 40-6-1 record and led the NHL with a 1.89 GAA and .938 save percentage in 49 games for the Boston Bruins, helping them set NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points this season. Ullmark and tandem partner Jeremy Swayman were winners of the William M. Jennings Trophy, allowing a league-low 177 goals this season.

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