AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Host Peoria Tonight At The Blue Cross Arena

December 12, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


Tonight, the Rochester Americans return to home ice to kickoff a three-game weekend as the Peoria Rivermen make their first and only visit of the season to The Blue Cross Arena. The 7:35 p.m. non-divisional matchup will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.

Promotions: The game features the next installment of the Amerks' $7.00 Fridays, where fans can purchase 200 Upper End and 200 Balcony tickets for just $7.00. Friday is also Scout Night, in which all Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, along with their families and friends can purchase discounted tickets for the game. Tickets can be purchased at $10-$12 depending on seating arrangements. All scouts will be eligible to receive a commemorative Amerks Scout Patch. Please call John Cochol at (585) 454-5335 x.3011 for more information.

Twelve Days of Christmas Celebration: The Amerks will kickoff the holiday festivities with their Twelve Days of Christmas Celebration. Santa Claus will be in attendance that night as children and families can take pictures with the jolly fellow and receive a free copy of the photo. The Amerks will also be giving away 12 gifts throughout the night to help celebrate the event. Churchville-Chili's "Off the Beat" chorus will be on hand to sing carols at the game and fans can watch a special performance from the Amerks players singing their own version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on the scoreboard to help fill the arena with Christmas spirit.

Head-to-Head: The matchup is the first of two scheduled meetings between Rochester and Peoria this season. The Amerks were 0-1-1-0 a year ago against the Rivermen and are 2-4-0 all-time against the St. Louis Blues' affiliate.

Amerks Notes: Rochester (5-19-0-2, 12 points) enters the contest coming off a 2-1 shootout win over the Houston Aeros Wednesday night at the Toyota Center to close out a two-game midweek trek in the Lone Star State. Dan Collins scored in regulation and Janis Sprukts, Jacob Micflikeir and Karl Stewart would each score during the shootout to lead Rochester. The win was the second in three games for the Amerks and the first on the road this season after dropping a 3-2 decision to the San Antonio Rampage the night before.

Sprukts (6+7), coming off a four-game point streak, and rookie defenseman Jason Garrison (2+11) are currently tied for the team lead with 13 points apiece. Garrison, who has four assists in his last five outings, also leads the team in that category with 11 and remains Rochester's top scoring defenseman. Further, Garrison's 13 points ties him for 16th among American Hockey League blueliners. Fourth-year left wing Stefan Meyer netted his team-leading seventh goal of the season Tuesday night and his 12 points overall is second best on the team. Rochester's Michael Duco continues to lead the team with 83 penalty minutes, good enough for 12th in the league. Mike Brodeur has started three consecutive games between the pipes since joining the Amerks, boasting a 2-1-0 record with a 1.31 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage. His one shutout ties him for fourth among AHL goaltenders.

Peoria Notes: Peoria (15-10-1-0, 31 points), in the middle of a three-game North Division road trip, comes into the matchup after a 2-1 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs last night at Copps Coliseum. Julian Talbot (10+9), Steve Regier (9+10) and Nikolay Lemtyugov (5+14) are currently locked in a three-way tie for the team lead with 19 points apiece. Talbot's 10 goals, eight of which have come on the man advantage, also times for the team-high, while Lemtyugov's 14 assists are a team best. Eric Neilson is first on the team and 10th in the league with 86 PIM.

Next Game: Rochester travels west to Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Lake Erie Monsters in a North Division matchup. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be the second of six meetings between the two teams this season and will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.

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