AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Host Toronto Tonight At The Blue Cross Arena

October 31, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


Tonight, the Rochester Americans kickoff a season-long six-game, three-week homestand with a Halloween night matchup against the Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena. The 7:35 p.m. North Division contest will be the first of eight scheduled meetings between the two teams this season and can be heard live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.

Promotions: The Amerks will host their second annual "Sweets in the Suites" tonight, a one-night special ticket promotion designed to work in conjunction with the spirit of Halloween. Children 12 and under who arrive in costume will receive a free ticket to the game with the purchase of one adult ticket. As part of the festivities, all children can trick or treat during the first intermission of the game up in the suite level and in the main concourse of The Blue Cross Arena. During the game, there will be a costume contest for kids and adults with the winners taking home an Amerks' Prize Pack. Lastly, the first 5,000 fans will take home an Amerks' magnet schedule, courtesy of M&T Bank.

Head-to-Head: The Amerks look to spook the Marlies for their second win in a row at home. The Amerks were 1-6-1 a year ago against the Marlies and are 10-16-0 all-time against the Toronto Maple Leafs' affiliate.

Amerks Notes: Rochester (1-7-0-0) enters the contest after an up-and-down weekend one week ago which saw the Amerks earn their first win of the season over the Quad City Flames and then fall in back-to-back losses to the Syracuse Crunch and Hershey Bears. Rookie defenseman Jason Garrison, who recently skated in his National Hockey League debut with the Florida Panthers, remains Rochester's top point-getter with five points (1+4) while his four assists are also a team best. Averaging just .71 points per game, the first-year blueliner's five points currently ties him for 12th in the American Hockey League among active defensemen and tied for 18th among league rookies, respectively. Left winger Karl Stewart leapfrogged Tanner Glass to become the team's top goal scorer with two goals last weekend to bring his season total to three. Lastly, first-year forward Michael Duco reigns as the current league penalty minute leader with 74.

Amerks General Manager Jody Gage announced yesterday that the Panthers recalled center Shawn Matthias and have reassigned him back to Rochester as of this morning. Matthias appeared in Florida's 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators last night in his first NHL game of this season. He has two points (1+1) in eight games with the Amerks.

Marlies Notes: Toronto (3-3-0-1) comes the winners of two of its last three games, with the most recent coming in a 5-4 win over the Houston Aeros at Ricoh Coliseum on October 26th. Marlies' center Kris Newbury leads the team with seven points (2+5) in seven games, while Andre Deveaux's five goals is a team best thus far on the young season. Justin Pogge has played in all seven contests for the Marlies this season, recording a .892 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average.

Next Game: Rochester opens its November schedule on Saturday, November 1st for game two of its six-game homefront as it welcomes the first of four visits from the Hamilton Bulldogs to The Blue Cross Arena. The 7:35 p.m. North Division showdown will be the first of eight scheduled meetings between the two teams this season and will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and AHL Live.

On Saturday it is Show Your Vote for 2008 Night. Bring voting material to The Blue Cross Arena box office and support who your voting for in the 2008 election! Present material such as a sign, T-shirt, campaign buttons or hat and get $3.00 off premium seating. Wear your political parties color (blue or red) and fill out your ballot to take part in our mock election!

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American Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2008


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