AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Kickoff Four-Game Homestand This Week

February 4, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... After spending a majority of the first half of the season on the road, the Rochester Americans will kickoff the first of two four-game homestands this week as eight of their next nine games will be played on home ice.

Rochester begins its four-game homefront with a battle against the North Division rival Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday, February 6th in the sixth of 12 meetings this season. The 7:05 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. The game will also be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26. Rochester is 2-3-0 this season and 78-60-15 all-time against the Columbus Blue Jackets' affiliate.

The contest between the I-90 interstate neighbors falls on clevermethod Business Persons Special Night. Fans can turn in their business cards at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office and receive a $21.00 ticket for just $10.00. Offer is valid for all Amerks home games Monday through Thursday.

After having the next two days off, the Amerks return to action on Saturday, February 9th as they host the San Antonio Rampage in a rare 2:05 p.m. afternoon contest at The Blue Cross Arena. The game will be the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season and can be heard live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. It will also be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26. The Amerks are 7-3-0 all-time against the Rampage.

Fans can come out and celebrate The Moose's Birthday with all of his Mascot friends that afternoon. As part of the celebration, Perry's Ice Cream will be giving away Ice Cream Novelties to the first 3,000 fans. In addition, the first 6,000 fans will receive Thundersticks courtesy of Time Warner. Lastly, fans can enjoy a game of broomball with The Moose and his Mascot friends during the second intermission of the Amerks game. The festivities continue later that night as The Moose and fellow Mascots will entertain the fans in a game of dodgeball during halftime of the Rochester Knighthawks' National Lacrosse League game against the Toronto Rock. Faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m.

Rochester remains at home on Sunday, February 10th as the Grand Rapids Griffins make their first trip back to The Blue Cross Arena since November 2nd.

The 6:05 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. The Amerks are 2-1-1 this season and 13-15-2 all-time against the Griffins.

Rochester (13-31-3-4, 33 points) enters the week after splitting a weekend pair with the division-leading Toronto Marlies. The Amerks claimed three out of a possible four points from the Marlies.

The Amerks returned to their winning ways on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout over Toronto at Ricoh Coliseum to snap a nine-game winless streak. The win was Rochester's first since its 7-3 rout over the Hamilton Bulldogs on January 12th and the first against Toronto this season. Second-year goaltender Adam Dennis stopped all 28 shots to earn his second shutout of the season and first star honors. Mark Mancari powered Rochester's offense with a three-point (1+2) performance, while Dylan Hunter and first-year man Marc-Andre Gragnani each chipped in with a goal and an assist.

The night before, however, the Amerks fell victim to the Marlies, dropping a 3-2 overtime decision at The Blue Cross Arena. Toronto's Jeremy Williams scored just 1:20 into overtime to give the Marlies the win. Marek Zagrapan and Mancari provided the scoring for the Amerks as rookie goaltender Tyler Plante made 23 saves.

Mancari remains Rochester's top-point getter with 40 points (15+25). He enters the week currently riding a three-game point streak (2+3). His most impressive outing this past weekend came with a goal and a pair of assists, along with a plus-three rating in the win over Toronto. Dennis presently ranks 18th among league netminders in shutouts after capturing his second this season against Toronto on Saturday and first since November 3rd.

The Florida Panthers announced today that they have reassigned left wing Stefan Meyer to the Amerks. Meyer, 22, returns to Rochester after receiving his third promotion to the National Hockey League. A native of Fox Valley, Saskatchewan, Meyer has appeared in three games with the Panthers this season. In 45 AHL contests, the 6-foot-2, 194-pound forward has racked up 28 points (16+12) and 37 penalty minutes in 45 appearances with the Amerks.

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