Kevin Oklobzija

@kevinoDandC

The Florida Panthers prospects were back in town as the Portland Pirates on Friday night, which was cause for a moment of reflection.

For six seasons, the Panthers sent their draft picks and projects to the Rochester Americans. Those players came here to learn the pro game, to develop their skill set and to, in a perfect world, move up to play in the NHL.

During the first three of those seasons, 2005-06 through 2007-08, the Panthers shared the Amerks with the Buffalo Sabres. For the final three seasons, '08-09 through '10-11, Florida was the sole parent team.

The publicly stated goal for those teams stocked wholly by the Panthers was to win games and win championships, or at least a division title.

Evidence of how they did can be found in the rafters at the Court Street end of Blue Cross Arena at the Community War Memorial.

If you squint, you might be able to read the stenciled letters on the steel beams: This space available for banner placement.

Truth be told, though, that advisory actually has been in place since 2004-05. That's the last time anything was added to the aerial Banner Boulevard.

We're at 10 years — and about to be 11 — of unfulfilled and/or empty promises. The Sabres returned for the 2011-12 season, buying the Amerks franchise from Curt Styres. The remarriage was trumpeted as the great revival of Amerks hockey in Rochester.

But, in reality, what's changed?

Off the ice, a lot. There is infinitely more interest in the Amerks than there was during the Florida years. The proximity and alignment with Buffalo creates a natural synergy.

Fans again buy, and wear, Amerks apparel. Groups and organizations use games as the focal point of events and gatherings. For instance, the University of Rochester accounted for close to 900 fans on Friday. The building had energy, with 7,154 fans watching.

The Amerks are ever so visible in the community, be it at Golisano Children's Hospital, Gilda's Club events, or for book readings at public libraries. Tickets for Troops and the Captain's Club (where tickets go to groups such as Compeer) are every-game staples.

And on the ice? Meh. The team still doesn't win. Despite what every general manager promises.

So make no mistake the next time you hear how winning matters in Rochester: Priority 1, 2 and 3 for the Amerks has been, and always will be, developing players for the NHL parent team. If they luck into winning, so be it.

To refresh the memory:

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, on Sept. 23, 2010, said, "Our goal is to win at both levels."

The Amerks finished the '10-11 season 31-39-5-5, the worst record in the Western Conference.

Former Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, on June 29, 2011, said, "I know the people of Rochester want to hear this: We will have a very competitive team in Rochester."

He did not define "very competitive." The Amerks were decent, 36-26-10-4, but finished seventh in the West and were swept by Toronto in the first round.

That same day in June on which Regier vowed a competitive team, Sabres owner Terry Pegula declared winning would not take a back seat in Rochester.

He never said anything about the middle seat, however.

The Amerks put together three consecutive seventh-place finishes — and first-round playoff exits — before a disastrous 29-41-5-1 campaign a year ago, Tim Murray's first full season as Sabres general manager. The Amerks limped to the finish line and not long afterward Murray fired coach Chadd Cassidy. Never mind not giving him a real AHL team.

But this year, ah, this year would be different. Or so Amerks fans were told by Murray. On June 18, 2015, Murray said with conviction, "You can teach and win at the same time. I'm confident we can develop there and win there. I hate losing down there."

He apparently hates change more.

Too many veterans, no true finishers, the wrong mix of personalities, a largely one-dimensional D-corps, not enough size, inconsistent early season goaltending; there are any number of reasons why this team is 24-24-2-1 after Friday's 2-1 overtime victory over the Pirates (who are a solid 29-19-2).

If nothing else, fans know their May will never be interrupted by playoff hockey.

KEVINO@gannett.com

Kevin's 3 stars

1. Linus Ullmark, G, Amerks ... Terrific night in goal with 43 saves.

2. Jason Akeson, RW, Amerks ... Made three great set-up passes early; winning goal.

3. John McFarland, LW, Pirates ... Creative and threatening whenever he was on the ice.

Amerks 2, Portland 1 (OT)

Portland 0 1 0 0 -- 1

Rochester 0 1 0 1 -- 2

First period: No scoring. Penalties: Leduc, Roch (tripping) 11:12; Acolatse, Port (cross checking) 13:49; Varone, Roch (tripping) 14:43; Weegar, Port (kneeing) 19:44.

Second period: 1, Rochester, Catenacci 8 (Akeson, Rudwedel) 2:49. 2, Portland, Knight 2 (Schremp, McFarland) 16:54. Penalties: Megan, Port (tripping) 9:28; Catenacci, Roch (holding stick) 9:38; Acolatse, Port (high sticking) 12:51.

Third period: No scoring. Penalties: None.

Overtime: 3, Rochester, Akeson 8 (O'Reilly, Rodrigues) 2:03. Penalties: None.

Shots on goal: Portland 13-17-12-2-44. Rochester 7-17-11-3--38.

Goalies: Portland, Brittain 6-9 (38 shots, 36 saves). Rochester, Ullmark 5-6 (44, 43).

Power-play conversions: Portland 0 of 3. Rochester 0 of 5.

Penalties/minutes: Portland 5/10. Rochester 3/6.

Attendance: 7,154.

Referees: Garrett Rank. Linesmen: Joe DeMizio, Don Jablonski.