AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks cap homestand on Friday

Published on March 6, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans will have a special look as they take the ice to host their North Division rivals, the Syracuse Crunch, on Friday, March 9th. In celebration of the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday and "Irish Night" at The Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks will hit the ice sporting white, green and blue Irish themed jerseys. The jerseys, which will eventually be auctioned off to benefit FOODLINK, will be unveiled later this week.

The Amerks' showdown with the rival Crunch is the eighth of 12 scheduled meetings between the two teams this season. Rochester is 4-3 this season, and 74-54-15 all-time against its thruway rival. Despite their sub-.500 record (22-29-2-7) and fifth place position in the North Division standings, the Crunch have been dangerous against the Amerks, shutting them out on two occasions earlier this season. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks, and will be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.

The Albany River Rats will be waiting to host the Amerks on Saturday, March 10th at Pepsi Arena. The Amerks last faced the Rats on opening night at The Blue Cross Arena on October 6th. Rochester shut out Albany, 6-0, and improved to 43-37-9 all-time against the East Division club. The game, which is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m., will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

The Amerks will return home on Sunday, March 11th as they take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at The Blue Cross Arena in the first game of a two-game series. Fans will be able to take advantage of the Zweigle's Family Four Pack. The Pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks and four programs for $60.00. Their meeting with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will be the first of two for Rochester this season. The Amerks are 9-5-6 all-time against the Pittsburgh Penguins' affiliate. The 6:05 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks, and will be televised tape delayed on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.

After going 4-6 in their last ten games, the Amerks (37-21-1-0, 75 pts.) currently sit third in the North Division, one point behind Hamilton (76) and four points back of Manitoba (79). Brandon Smith has continued to lead the team from the blue line, and currently ranks third among league defensemen with 35 points (8+27). Despite missing his last four games due to an upper-body injury, forward Janis Sprukts continues to lead the Amerks' current roster and stands seventh among AHL rookies with 46 points (13+33).

The Amerks snapped their losing streak at four games on February 28th, as they defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins by a score of 3-2 in sudden-death overtime. Amerks forward Mark Mancari netted the game-winner midway through the extra frame to give the Amerks their 37th victory of the season. Amerks newcomer Chaz Johnson recorded his first tally as an Amerk, while fellow newcomer Adam Berkhoel earned his first win in his first start between the pipes for Rochester.

The Griffins delivered their paybacks on March 4th, as they defeated the Amerks by a score of 3-1 at The Blue Cross Arena. Amerks forward David Brine scored his second goal as an Amerk and Berkhoel turned aside 36 shots in his second consecutive start.

PLAYER MOVES

Thanks to trades performed by the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres on the NHL trade deadline of February 27th, the Amerks have three new faces on their blue line. The Sabres ended up assigning newly acquired defensemen Timo Helbling and Mikko Lehtonen to Rochester, while the Panthers sent their new blueliner, Noah Welch, to the Amerks. Helbling and Lehtonen made their Amerks debuts on February 28th, but Welch has yet to play for Rochester, as he continues to nurse an upper-body injury.

The Buffalo Sabres traded away Jiri Novotny and a 2007 first-round draft pick to the Washington Capitals for Helbling and center Dainius Zubrus. Buffalo also traded away a fourth-round pick in the 2007 NHL draft for Lehtonen. The Florida Panthers traded left winger Gary Roberts to Pittsburgh for the young defenseman, Welch.

Also involved in player transactions last week, were right winger Rob Globke, who was recalled by Florida on February 27th, and center David Brine, who was reassigned to Rochester from the Florida Everblades (ECHL) by Florida (NHL) on February 28th. Brine was reassigned to the Everblades on February 29th, but would return to the Amerks' roster once again on March 4th. He netted the Amerks' only goal in the team's 3-1 loss to Grand Rapids later that night.

Right winger Mark Mancari, who was returned from recall to the Amerks by the Sabres on February 28th, was recalled by Buffalo on March 3rd and recorded his first NHL point/assist in the team's 3-1 win over Toronto. He was once again returned to Rochester on March 4th.

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics

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



American Hockey League Stories from March 6, 2007


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