AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks keep on rolling

March 7, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


On The Ice:
The Rochester Americans (44-10-3-5, 96 points) will have busy week against a few old friends. The Amerks, who are currently riding an eight-game winning streak, will play three of their next four games at home. The Amerks have won a franchise record 17-straight games at home, two shy of the AHL record of 19 set by the Philadelphia Phantoms. The Amerks are now 14 points ahead of the Manchester Monarchs (38-16-3-3, 82 points) for the AHL points lead. The Amerks are 20-1-0-2 in their last 23 games and 36-4-1-4 since November 26th. Rochester needs 13 wins and 28 points in their final 18 games to tie the AHL records for wins (57) and points (124) set by the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers.

Games This Week
Wednesday, March 9, 2005 7:05 p.m.
Binghamton Senators at Rochester Americans
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY

Friday, March 11, 2005 7:35 p.m.
Binghamton Senators at Rochester Americans
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY

The Amerks will face the Binghamton Senators (33-19-5-4, 75 points) twice this week in Rochester. The Amerks lead the season series with a 3-1-1-0 mark. In the series, the teams have combined for 375 penalty minutes. Forward Denis Hamel has eight points (2+6) in the series, while Thomas Vanek has eight points (3+5) for Rochester. The Sens, who share the East Division lead with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, are 6-1-2-1 in their last 10 games. Binghamton leads the AHL on the power play with a 20.7 success rate (63 for 304) and is second offensively, averaging 3.21 goals-per game. Binghamton also has many players leading statistical categories in the League. Forward Jason Spezza leads the AHL in points with 85 (25+60) and in assists (60). Forward Brian McGrattan leads the league in penalty minutes with 428. Brandon Bochenski, the AHL's February Rookie of the Month, leads all AHL freshman in points with 51 (26+25).

Saturday, March 12, 2005 7:30 p.m.
Rochester Americans at Syracuse Crunch
Onondaga County War Memorial; Syracuse, NY

Sunday, March 13, 2005 6:05 p.m.
Syracuse Crunch at Rochester Americans
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY

The Amerks will face-off in a home-and-home series with the Syracuse Crunch (26-26-5-3, 60 points) on Saturday and Sunday. The two teams will battle three times in eight days. The Amerks are 5-1-0-1 against the Crunch this season. On February 27th, the Amerks defeated the Crunch 5-2 to set the franchise record for most consecutive home wins with 16. Amerks forward Derek Roy has nine points (2+7) in the season series The Crunch are ranked 17th on defense in the AHL, allowing 2.73 goals-per game. Forward Brad Moran continues to lead the team in scoring with 45 points (22+23).

Around the Boards:
· The Amerks are ninth in the AHL on the power play with a 16.6% success rate (54 for 326). The team has the fourth best penalty-killing unit with an 88.1 percentage (264 for 300). The team is also third in the AHL defensively, allowing 2.21 goals-per game.
· Goaltender Ryan Miller leads all AHL goaltenders in wins (35), minutes played (2972:46), saves (1412) and is tied for first in shutouts (7). Miller is 10th with a 2.12 goals-against average.
· Goalie Tom Askey has a seven-game winning streak.
· Forward Sean McMorrow moved past Scott Nichol and into sixth place on the team's all-time penalty minute list (824 PIM).
· Ryan Jorde scored his first professional goal on March 5th at Manitoba.
· Forward Chris Taylor continues his climb up the Amerks record books. Taylor is now 12th on the all-time points list with 310 and is tied for eighth on the all-time assist list with 211. Taylor also is 19th on the all-time goal-scoring list with 99. Taylor is two goals behind Head Coach Randy Cunneyworth (101) for 18th spot.


Shooting Stars:
After 62 regular season games, the following players lead the team in the following statistical categories:
Skaters: Goals- Thomas Vanek (25); Assists- Chris Taylor (41) Points- Chris Taylor (57); Shots- Jason Pominville (202); Penalty Minutes- Sean McMorrow (221)
Goaltending: Minutes- Ryan Miller (2972:46); Saves- Ryan Miller (1412); Goals-Against Average- Tom Askey (1.96); Save Percentage- Tom Askey (.932)

Amerks on the Dials:
Television- Friday's game against Binghamton will be televised tape delay on Time Warner Cable Channel 98 on Saturday, March 13th at noon.

Radio and Webcast: All four games will be broadcast on WHTK 1280-AM. The games will also be available on webcast on the Official Website of the Rochester Americans at www.amerks.com.


AMERKS SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Wednesday, March 9 BINGHAMTON SENATORS 7:05 p.m.
Friday, March 11 BINGHAMTON SENATORS 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 12 at Syracuse Crunch 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 SYRACUSE CRUNCH 6:05 p.m.
Friday, March 18 ALBANY RIVER RATS 7:35 p.m.


Upcoming Promotions:

Hall of Fame Night on March 18th: The Rochester Americans annual Amerks Hall of Fame Night will be held on Friday, March 18th. Prior to the Rochester-Albany River Rats 7:35 p.m. contest, the franchise will induct former defenseman Don McSween into the prestigious club. The game is sponsored by Advance Auto Parts. Please note that the ceremony was originally slated for Saturday, February 5th, but was moved to accommodate McSween's schedule. McSween played five seasons in Rochester and collected the most points ever by a defenseman with 215 (45+170). He was the anchor of the Rochester defense from 1987-1992 and his name still appears on the Amerks' all-time lists for games played (17th - 348) and assists (18th - 170). In his postseason career with Rochester, he is tied for sixth in games played (54), is 10th in assists (22) and is tied for 12th in points (32). During the 1989-90 season, he was named an AHL First Team All-Star as he recorded a career-high 16 goals and 59 points in 70 games.

Amerks Group Information: Looking for a fun night out for your group or team? The Amerks are offering many great group packages. Groups can save up to $9.00 per ticket. There are many group leader benefits, including free tickets and Amerks merchandise. For more information, please contact the Amerks group sales department at 585-454-5335.

Amerks Weekly Schedule: (Schedule is tentative, and subject to change)

Tuesday, March 8 10:00 a.m. practice at BCA

Wednesday, March 9 10:00 a.m. Game day skate at BCA
7:05 p.m. game vs. Binghamton Senators
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY
WHTK 1280-AM and www.amerks.com

Thursday, March 10 10:00 a.m. practice at BCA

Friday, March 11 10:00 a.m. Game day skate at BCA
7:35 p.m. game vs. Binghamton Senators
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY
WHTK 1280-AM and www.amerks.com

Saturday, March 12 10:00 a.m. Game day skate at BCA
7:35 p.m. game vs. Syracuse Crunch
Onondaga County War Memorial; Syracuse, NY
WHTK 1280-AM and www.amerks.com

Sunday, March 13 6:05 p.m. game vs. Syracuse Crunch
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY
WHTK 1280-AM and www.amerks.com

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2005


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