AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Begin Three-Game Holiday Weekend

Published on December 22, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... After an up-and-down weekend to close a four-game homestand, the Rochester Americans will have the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas holiday before preparing for another three-game in three-night stretch to conclude the 2008 portion of the season.

Rochester kicks off its busy schedule on Friday, December 26th as the Hamilton Bulldogs return to The Blue Cross Arena for a North Division matchup. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be the fourth of eight scheduled meetings between the two teams this season and will be carried live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live. Hamilton has the advantage in the season series with Rochester this season, earning wins in each previous encounter, with the most recent coming in a 4-3 decision on November 15th. The Amerks are 0-3-0-0 this season and 60-46-8 all-time against the Montreal Canadiens' affiliate.

That night, the Amerks will be hosting a variety of promotions, starting with the traditional Ugly Sweater. In conjunction with the spirit of Christmas, fans who wear their ugliest Holiday Sweater can receive a Buy One, Get One free ticket offer in any section. The Amerks will also be continuing the holiday festivities by giving one lucky fan a late Christmas present with a chance to win a 42-inch Plasma Panel, HD Ready Television. Fans can enter to win the night of the game by registering their name, e-mail address, and/or phone number given at the guest services booth. The booth is located in the upper atrium of the arena.

The game also ushers in the next installment of the Amerks' $7.00 Dollar Fridays, in which fans can purchase 200 Upper End and 200 Balcony level seats for only $7 apiece. Friday is also Wendy's Night, where anyone can pick up a Wendy's Buy One, Get One ticket voucher at area participating Wendy's locations, then redeem those vouchers directly at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office.

Lastly, the game also features Civil Service Night, in which all Civil Service representatives can come and watch the Amerks and help support The Boys and Girls Club of Rochester. Tickets will be sold at a discounted rate of $10 with $2 going back to The Boys and Girls Club. Call (585) 454-5335, ext. 3021 for more information. Area schools, their faculty, family and friends will also be in attendance for "Show Your Spirit" night. For every 25 tickets that each school sells, they will receive a back pack full of school supplies! The school that sells the most tickets will be able to watch the Amerks practice and even skate on the ice at The Blue Cross Arena!

The following night, Rochester heads to the state capital to take on the Albany River Rats in a 5:00 p.m. faceoff at the Times Union Center. The game will be the second of four meetings between the two teams this season, with the Amerks pulling out a 4-0 win against the River Rats in their last meeting on December 7th.

Rochester holds the all-time record against the Carolina Hurricanes' affiliate at 44-39-9. The game will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.

The Amerks meet the Hamilton Bulldogs for the second time in three nights on Sunday, December 28th for a 6:00 p.m. faceoff at Copps Coliseum. The game can be heard live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.

Rochester, the winners in four of their last six, enters the week after posting a 1-1-0-0 record over the weekend to improve to 8-21-0-02 on the season. The Amerks picked up its eighth win of the season on Friday night in a 2-1 shootout win over the Lake Erie Monsters at The Blue Cross Arena. First-year forward Michael Duco scored Rochester's only goal in regulation while Michal Repik netted the only goal during the shootout as goaltender Mike Brodeur made 31 saves between the pipes to garner second star honors. The win gave Rochester its first three-game winning streak and was the third straight against Lake Erie this season.

The Amerks' only loss of the weekend came last night in 6-0 decision to the Grand Rapids Griffins, snapping a season-long three-game winning streak. Brodeur and Chris Beckford-Tseu combined for a 21-save effort in the loss as the Amerks completed a four-game homestand.

Michal Repik (6+8), Janis Sprukts (6+8), Jason Garrison (2+12) and now Kenndal McArdle (5+9) are currently locked in a four-player tie for the team lead, all with 14 points apiece. Garrison has a team-high 12 assists and remains Rochester's top scoring defenseman. Duco's goal on Friday night ties him for the team lead with fourth-year left wing Stefan Meyer for a team-high seven, while Meyer's 13 points overall ties him for second best on the team. Duco continues to lead the team with 88 penalty minutes (PIM), good enough for 14th in the league. Brodeur boasts a 5-3-0 record with a 1.54 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. The 25-year-old netminder has started in eight straight games for the Amerks, the longest of any Rochester goaltender this season, showing 206 saves while only allowing 12 goals. Further, his two shutout ties him for third among American Hockey League goaltenders.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2008


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