AHL Rochester Americans

Former Amerks Exceling In World Championships

Published on May 9, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... While only four teams remain alive in the National Hockey League playoff race, players from all around the world are currently representing their countries in international competition at the annual World Championship games.

As the event only enters its second week of play, several former Rochester Americans are already making immediate impacts. The list of Amerks alumni participating in the games features 10 players from four different countries, including Canada's Derek Roy, Russia's Maxim Afinogenov and Dmitri Kalinin, Slovakia's Andrej Sekera, Czech Republic's Ales Kotalik and Jiri Novotny, and the USA's Craig Anderson, David Booth, Jason Pominville and Drew Stafford.

Pominville and Roy each tallied goals for their respective countries as Canada handed the United States a 5-4 loss Tuesday night at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Canada and the United States are the only two teams in the tournament that have dressed a roster full of current NHL players.

With the win, Canada gained the top spot in Group B ahead of the second-place Americans, which means that the Canadians will open the qualification round against the second-placed team in Group C -- Finland, Slovakia or Germany.

Former Amerks Maxim Afinogenov registered a goal in Russia's 4-1 win over Denmark to help his team capture the top spot in Group D in the preliminaries.

After falling to Canada, the United States entered the qualification round with a 6-4 win over Germany. The United States took a 4-2 second-period lead when Pominville converted on a five-on-three power play. Former Amerk netminder Craig Anderson allowed four goals on 10 shots before being relieved by Utica native Robert Esche.

The United States now has two days off before returning to action Sunday afternoon to face unbeaten Finland. The Americans close out the qualifying round Monday against Norway. The Americans are in second place in their six-team qualifying pool, and with a win in its final two games, clinches a spot in Wednesday's quarterfinals

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from May 9, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central