[Lysowski] Devon Levi « solide comme le roc » dans un autre départ pour les Américains de Rochester
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Spiritual_Bourbon
@Sabres de Buffalo
[Lysowski] Devon Levi « solide comme le roc » dans un autre départ pour les Américains de Rochester
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Spiritual_Bourbon
2 Comments
https://archive.ph/B0mPj
Levi stopped 16 of 18 shots in his fourth appearance with Rochester this season. The game-winning goal was the latest example of what he can learn with time in the American Hockey League.
« I think every time has proven different, different challenges that have made me better, » Levi said of his three stints in Rochester. « It’s a great opportunity to get more practice time, to work on my game a little bit more without the big lights.
« It’s nice to be here and keep playing, get some games, get some more practices. … To be here right now during the NHL All-Star break is pretty advantageous. They want me to use this resource and I’m gonna soak as much as I can out of it, however long that may be. »
Most shooters in the NHL would have scored with the space the Amerks’ defense gave Mitchell Chaffee late in the second period. They skated backward toward Levi, while Chaffee skated through the left circle and snapped the puck through the Sabres prospect for a 2-1 lead with 14.1 seconds remaining. Chaffee whiffed on the shot attempt, causing the puck to go between Levi’s legs.
Syracuse’s first goal was also a challenging situation for Levi. Rochester was on the power play when a turnover led an odd-man rush. Cole Koepke threaded a pass from the left wall toward the opposite post to set up Waltteri Merela. The latter hit the post with a quick shot and the puck went off Levi’s back before it went across the goal line for a 1-0 Syracuse lead 7:43 into the game.
This wasn’t a busy game for Levi. He faced only nine shots through 35 minutes, and Merela’s short-handed goal was the only notable scoring chance. But Levi was tested throughout the night with situations that he has faced in the NHL, including Merela’s power-play one-timer in the second period.
« He was rock solid, » said Amerks coach Seth Appert. « Looked in control, looked calm. Didn’t have a massive workload because I thought we defended really well, we defended hard. »
It is unclear how long Levi’s latest assignment to Rochester will last. Appert told reporters that management will make that decision after Levi starts Friday or Saturday at Laval. He was in goal for the Sabres on Jan. 24 when they rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Kings on the road 5-3. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has taken hold of the starting job in Buffalo, though, and Eric Comrie is a capable backup. Buffalo’s schedule in February could allow head coach Don Granato to lean on Luukkonen if he continues to perform well.
Levi needs game experience, whether it is in Buffalo or Rochester, and, historically, goalies benefit greatly from time in the AHL. Ryan Miller played 107 games with the Amerks, not including the 63 in which he appeared during the NHL lockout in 2004-05. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets appeared in 88 AHL games while developing into a Vezina Trophy winner. Levi was the Sabres’ opening-night starter during his eighth game as a pro.
No matter what the Sabres decide, Levi is embracing the process of sharpening his skills in the crease.
If Adams was doing what is best for Levi in terms of his development let him stay in Rochester and carry the load there. It makes no sense to have him play back up in Buffalo this season.