Rochester goalie Devon Levi registered his second straight shutout in the series clincher against Syracuse on Thursday. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a39f0b0b-96a3-4de3-aaf9-e0c5344746d6.jpeg] Rochester goalie Devon Levi registered his second straight shutout in the series clincher against Syracuse on Thursday. The Rochester Americans put the finishing touch on avenging their first-round loss to the Syracuse Crunch one year ago, completing a three-game sweep with a 4-0 victory in Game 3 at Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse on Thursday. The Amerks dominated the series, scoring 11 goals to the Crunch’s two, and goalie Devon Levi made 30 saves for his second straight shutout. Mason Jobst scored the game-winner in the first period and added a third-period marker. Veteran blueliner Kale Clague continued his scoring prowess with his third goal of the series, and Brendan Warren added an empty-netter. Buffalo Sabres first-rounders Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich each had assists in the contest. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/is-peterka-in-prime-position-for-big-payday] Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-ownership-ranked-worst-in-nhl-by-survey-in-the-athletic] Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-facing-an-off-season-of-change] “I thought it was incredible, I thought the second half of the game we took over.” Amerks head coach Michael Leone said after the win. “I think the best part about it was the first two games. I thought we were okay, but we won, and then we finally got to our game, and I thought we tilted the ice, and the guys were incredible. The sacrifice and the effort was awesome.” Levi, after going 25-13-4, with a 2.20 GAA and .919 save% during the regular season, is 3-0 with a microscopic 0.67 GAA and .978 save % in the playoffs, bolstering his case with the management of the NHL Sabres that he is ready to challenge starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for playing time next season. Rochester may have to wait for more than a week before they know their opponent for the second round, as Laval and Cleveland play Game 2 of their best-of-five series on Friday. The Rockets lead the Monsters 1-0 after a 3-2 win in Laval on Thursday. The AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens will get some reinforcements after the Habs' elimination to Washington, as Oliver Kapanen was sent back on Friday. Defenseman Vsevolod Komarov did not play in Game 3 and is still in concussion protocol after being injured in a fight with the Crunch’s Jack Finley, but it is possible that he would be available for the second round with a long layoff between series. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]
