AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Battle Rival Crunch Tonight

March 14, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans visit the Syracuse Crunch tonight to play game three of a five-game road trip. The 7:30 p.m. contest at The War Memorial at Oncenter can be heard live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. This divisional game, the ninth of a 12-game season series, will also be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26. The Amerks, 78-63-15 all-time against the Crunch, will try to improve their season series record against the Crunch which currently stands at 2-5-0-1.

Amerks General Manager Jody Gage announced today that the Buffalo Sabres have recalled defenseman Mike Funk. Funk, 21, receives his first National Hockey League promotion this season to reinforce a depleted Buffalo blueline as injuries continue to plague the Sabres defensive corps. Funk joins Mike Weber as the second Amerks defenseman to be summoned by Buffalo this week. A native of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Funk has registered eight points (0+8) and 85 penalty minutes (PIM) in 50 games with Rochester this season. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound blueliner was Buffalo's second-round selection (43rd overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Mark Mancari leads the Amerks with 43 points (15+28) and is followed closely by rookie Marc-Andre Gragnani. The defenseman-turned-forward's 40 points (9+31) rank him fifth in rookie scoring in the American Hockey League and his 31 assists lead the team. Winger Stefan Meyer lead the Amerks in goals with 18. Meyer is tied with Dylan Hunter for third in team scoring with 34 points.

Syracuse's Adam Pineault leads the way offensively for the Crunch. The right winger currently holds the team lead with 19 goals and 45 points. Defenseman Clay Wilson's 38 points (9+29) ranks him ninth among all blueline scoring in the AHL. The Columbus Blue Jacket's affiliate has earned 15 points in its last nine games, most recently picking up an overtime win in Toronto.

The two-game weekend continues on Saturday night as the Amerks look for their first win this season against the Binghamton Senators. The matchup is set to take place at 7:05 p. m. at The Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The sixth meeting of the season between the two clubs will be joined in progress around 8:00 p.m. on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. In their last meeting, the Amerks fell 4-0 to the Senators and are currently 18-21-4 all-time versus the Ottawa Senators' affiliate.

The Amerks return home on Friday, March 21st as they play host to divisional foe, the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be the sixth of eight meetings between the two teams this season with the Amerks leading the season series 3-1-0-1. This contest falls on the next installment of the Amerks' Friday Night Frenzies. Fans can enjoy live music from the Ozone Rangers in the main lobby of The Blue Cross Arena up until gametime. As part of the festivities, fans can purchase special packages courtesy of Zweigle's. The package includes Four (4) 200 Level End seats, four hot dogs, four sodas and four magazines for $60.00. It's also Wendy's Night. Buy one, get one free ticket vouchers for this contest are also available at any participating Wendy's Restaurants.

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