AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks have busy week; Stafford returns from Buffalo

Published on December 4, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans remain in first place in the North Division, eight points ahead of second place Hamilton and Manitoba, despite being swept by the Grand Rapids Griffins in a two-game set at Van Andel Arena over the weekend. The Amerks dropped a 4-2 decision on Friday, December 1st as Head Coach Randy Cunneyworth celebrated his 500th regular season game behind the Amerks bench. The Amerks' woes continued on Saturday, December 2nd as they dropped their second straight to the Griffins, 4-1.

On Friday night, Cunneyworth reached the 500-game milestone just one game after winning his 250th regular season game as the Amerks' skipper, a 5-4 overtime-win over Toronto on November 26th. In his seventh season as the Amerks' head coach, Cunneyworth trails only Joe Crozier (260) and John Van Boxmeer (333) in regular season wins, and only Van Boxmeer (690) in regular season games coached.

Mark Mancari and Anthony Stewart netted goals for Rochester on Friday night, while Craig Anderson was tagged with his first loss in regulation this year despite stopping 32 of 35 Griffins shots. Jimmy Howard earned the win with a 26-save effort for Grand Rapids, while Matt Ellis led the Griffins' offense with two goals and one assist. The game was the Amerks' third of their current six-game road trip.

The following night, Rochester dropped its second straight game against the Griffins, 4-1. Eric Himelfarb had the hot hand for the Griffins, as he scored one goal and assisted on two others. Mark Mancari scored the lone Rochester goal. Grand Rapids jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two periods before Mancari answered for Rochester in the third. Himelfarb put the game away with an empty-netter at 18:49 of the final period. The loss marks the Amerks first losing streak of the season, and their third loss in their last four games.

Rochester (16-4-1-0, 33 points) will finish up its six-game trip with a two-game set against the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday, December 5th and Wednesday, December 6th at the MTS Centre. The Amerks defeated the Moose in their previous two meetings this season and are 12-10 against Manitoba all-time. Both contests will begin at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and will be joined in progress on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK and whtk.com. The games will be carried live on the B2 Networks.

Following their two-game set against the Moose, Rochester will return home on Friday, December 8th to take on the Syracuse Crunch at The Blue Cross Arena. The game will be the third of eight scheduled meetings between the thruway rivals this season. The Amerks are 1-1 in 2006-07 and are 71-52-15 all-time against the Crunch. In their last meeting on October 29th, the Amerks eked out a 2-1 shootout-win. Michael Ryan netted Rochester's only goal in regulation while Jean-Marc Pelletier picked up the win in net, his first of the season. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280-AM WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks. The game will also air on Time Warner Cable Channel 98 on Friday, December 8th at midnight and on Saturday, December 9th at 3:00 p.m.

The Amerks will turn around to face the Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday, December 9th in a 7:35 p.m. contest at The Blue Cross Arena. The game will be the second of 10 scheduled contests between the teams this season. Fans can pick up a coupon for $5 off a $15 ticket to the game at participating Advance Auto Part stores this week. In their last meeting on November 25th, Hamilton handed Rochester a 6-0 loss, their worst of the season. The Amerks are 50-39-8 all-time against Hamilton. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280-AM WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

Player Moves

Amerks General Manager Jody Gage announced this morning that Drew Stafford has been sent back to Rochester. Stafford was recalled by Buffalo on Friday, December 1st and netted his second NHL goal on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The rookie has two goals and three assists in 13 games for the Sabres this season. In 11 games with the Amerks, Stafford has registered five goals and four assists and a plus-seven.

Amerks forwards Rob Globke, Drew Larman and Daniel Paille were recalled to the NHL last week and have remained with their respective NHL clubs. The Florida Panthers recalled Globke on Tuesday, November 28th. On November 30th, the Amerks lost two players to NHL recalls, as Florida recalled Larman and Buffalo called up Paille. In his second call-up of the season, Larman recorded a plus-one and received just under five minutes of ice time in Florida's 3-1 loss to Atlanta on Saturday, December 2nd. Larman also has six goals and two assists in 14 games with the Amerks.

Paille, in his second recall this season, dressed for Buffalo's 4-3 shootout-win over the New York Rangers last Friday. He also played the following night in the Sabres' 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, December 2nd. Paille has three goals and 10 assists in 15 games for the Amerks this season.

Amerks Quick Numbers

- Grand Rapids' 10 goals against the Amerks this weekend drove the Amerks' team goals-against average up to 2.57. The sudden increase has allowed Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben (2.35) and Hamilton (2.41) to claim the lowest team GAA in the AHL.
- The Amerks gave up their first shorthanded goal of the season, an empty netter on Saturday, December 1st in the Amerks' 4-2 loss to Grand Rapids. Hershey is the only team left in the Ameican Hockey League to have not allowed a shorthanded goal.
- The Amerks still own the highest winning percentage in the league, but their 33 points is now third in the AHL behind Wilkes-Barre (36) and Hershey (34).
- Martin Lojek's plus-13 plus-minus rating is good enough for fifth in the AHL.
- Adam Dennis' .925 save percentage is tied for third in the league.
- Craig Anderson's 2.33 goals-against average is eighth among league goaltenders.

Upcoming Player Appearances

The Amerks will visit four libraries next week as part of their "Reading Power Play." The partnership with Monroe County Libraries teams Amerk players with local public librarians in support of reading. At the appearances, the Amerks player that attends will read to children and hold an autograph session. During the 2006-07 hockey season, Amerk players will continue to visit participating libraries to read to youth, talk about the importance of reading, and give a hockey demonstration. Each appearance also features a raffle for Amerk memorabilia and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.

Upcoming Amerks "Reading Power-Play" Schedule

Monday, December 11- Sully Library @ 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, December 12 - Riga Library @ 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday, December 12 - Penfield Library @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13 - Monroe Library @ 3:15 p.m.

Weekly Schedule (Subject to change):

Tuesday, December 5 8:30 p.m. EST game @ Manitoba
Wednesday, December 6 8:30 p.m. EST game @ Manitoba
Thursday, December 7 Travel Day
Friday, December 8 10:00 a.m. skate at The Blue Cross Arena
7:35 p.m. game vs. Syracuse at The Blue Cross Arena
Saturday, December 9 10:00 a.m. skate at ESL Sports Centre
7:35 p.m. game vs. Hamilton at The Blue Cross Arena
Sunday, December 10 Day off

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2006


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