The wild and unpredictable Rochester Americans playoff run rolls on

The way the Americans are finding success in the playoffs shows skill, resolve, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

The Rochester Americans celebrate a goal in their 4-3 win against the Toronto Marlies in Game 1 of the North Division Final. (Photo: Toronto Marlies)

TORONTO — History hasn’t smiled upon the Rochester Americans too often over the past 20 years. Playoff wins were hard to come by and occasionally so were postseason appearances.

Until last season, the Americans hadn’t escaped the first round of the playoffs since 2004-2005 and that was a team that featured Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Derek Roy among many others who went on to the NHL. Rochester hasn’t been loaded like that in a long time, but that team was stacked thanks to the NHL Owners’ lockout that wiped out an entire season.

But last season’s team highlighted by Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka got the Americans off the first round schneid and now this year’s team that features the likes of Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosén among others is building upon that.

Watching this team closely in the postseason has highlighted a few of the reasons why these Americans are different and it’s not just because some of their youngest players are among their best. It runs deeper than that even if how it’s executed seems straightforward.

What we’ve seen from them is worth highlighting and why what’s working for them could carry them further.