AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Host Crunch On Hall Of Fame Night

Published on April 6, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


Tonight, the Rochester Americans take on their I-90 rivals the Syracuse Crunch at The Blue Cross Arena in a North Division matchup. The game is the second in three nights between the teams. The 6:05 p.m. contest can be heard live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. Tonight is Amerks Hall of Fame Night, presented by Rochester Lead Works. Prior to the contest, the Amerks will induct Gates Orlando and Craig Charron as the 43rd and 44th members into the team's prestigious Hall of Fame. Former 1980 U.S. Olympic goaltender Jim Craig, uncle of Charron, will be present to take part in the festivities. Jim Craig and the rest of the 1980 Olympic team shocked the world with the "miracle on ice" win over the Soviet Union at Lake Placid under coach Herb Brooks en route to gold medal honors.

Promotions: The contest falls on the next installment of the Amerks' Supercuts' $6.00 Sundays. Kids 12 and under can purchase a ticket in the 100 and 200 end seating areas for just $6.00. After the game, fans can head down to The Distillery at 300 Paddy Creek Circle (Greece) to enjoy the official postgame party. Show your guest check from The Distillery at the BCA Box Office for a $3.00 discount off any 100 or 200 premium amerks ticket. (Regular price $21.00).

Head-to-Head: Tonight's contest marks the 11th of 12 scheduled meetings between the divisional rivals this season. The Blue Jackets' affiliate has the season edge over the Amerks, posting a 2-7-1 record. The Amerks dropped a 4-3 decision to the Crunch just two nights ago at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Mark Mancari, Anthony Stewart and newly acquired Rochester native Derek Whitmore provided the scoring in the losing effort for the Amerks.

Amerks Notes: Rochester (23-42-6-4, 56 points) enters the contest on a two-game skid after falling to the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 last night at The Blue Cross Arena. Mancari and Marek Zagrapan tallied Rochester's pair of goals in the loss, while second-year goaltender Adam Dennis stopped 36 of 39 shots. Mancari's goal last night extended his point streak to three games (3+1) and increased his team lead to 52 points (19+33). First-year defenseman-turned-forward Marc-Andre Gragnani follows closely with 50 points (14+36). His 50 points ties him with Binghamton's Alexander Nikulin for third in rookie scoring, while his 36 helpers are a team best.

Player Moves: Amerks General Manager Jody Gage announced today that the Buffalo Sabres have reassigned forward Patrick Kaleta and defensemen Mike Weber and Andrej Sekera to the Amerks. Kaleta returns to Rochester after recording five points (3+2) in 40 games with the Sabres. Weber and Sekera rejoin Rochester's defensive corps after skating in 16 and 37 games, respectively, on the blueline for Buffalo. In a related move, the Florida Panthers have returned rookie goaltender Tyler Plante to the Amerks after his first recall to the National Hockey League this season.

Crunch Notes: The Crunch (41-26-2-6, 90 points) come into tonight's contest on an impressive 10-game winning streak, with the most recent win coming in a 4-3 decision Friday over Rochester on home ice. Syracuse is currently in third place in the American Hockey League's North Division with 90 points and is one of three teams within the division to clinch a playoff spot. Defenseman Clay Wilson leads the team in points with 44 (9+32). Derek Brassard is second in points with 47 (11+30), while leading the team in goals with 11. Goaltender Karl Goehring is 13-9-2 and has earned a 2.34 goals-against average in 27 games, including one shutout this season.

Next Game: The Amerks travel to the Copps Coliseum for the last time this season to take on the defending Calder Cup champion Hamilton Bulldogs on Wednesday, April 9th. The 7:30 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2008


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