AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks look for franchise record

Published on February 21, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


On The Ice:
The Rochester Americans (39-10-3-5, 86 points) will play two games this week. The Amerks improved to 31-4-0-4 since Nov. 27. On February 19th, the Amerks tied the franchise record of 15 straight wins at home, by defeating the St. John's Maple Leafs
3-2. The Amerks' club record of 15 straight home wins was set during the 1964-65 season. The Amerks will go for number 16 on Sunday against the Syracuse Crunch. The Amerks are now eight points ahead of the Manchester Monarchs (36-12-3-3, 78 points) for the AHL points lead.


Games This Week
Friday, February 25, 2005 7:30 p.m.
Rochester Americans at Hamilton Bulldogs
Copps Coliseum; Hamilton, Ontario

The Amerks will look to avenge their last loss on the road against the Hamilton Bulldogs (22-22-6-5, 55 points) on Friday night. On February 12th, Bulldog Steve Ott scored two goals, as Hamilton defeated the Amerks 5-3 at Copps Coliseum. Tomas Plekanec (1+1) and Chris Higgins (1+1) each picked up two points in the win. The Amerks are 5-1-0-1 against the Bulldogs this season. Chris Taylor has six points (3+3) in the series, while Higgins has put up seven points (4+3). Plekanec currently leads the team in scoring this season with 41 points (20+21). Plekanec was also named the most valuable player at this season's AHL All-Star Classic held last week.


Sunday, February 27, 2005 6:05 p.m.
Syracuse Crunch at Rochester Americans
Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY

The Amerks faceoff against the rival Syracuse Crunch (24-23-4-3, 55 points) on Sunday afternoon. The game will be the first of six contests between the two clubs in the next seven weeks. The Amerks are 4-1-0-1 against the Crunch this season. Amerks forward Derek Roy has seven points (2+5) in the season series. The Crunch are ranked 13th on defense in the AHL, allowing 2.61 goals-per game. Forward Brad Moran continues to lead the team in scoring with 39 points (18+21). Moran has had a strong start to the year, collecting 19 points (9+10) since January 2nd

Around the Boards:
· The Amerks are 17th in the AHL on the power play with a 14.8% success rate (45 for 304). The team has the third best penalty killing unit with an 88.7 percentage (243 for 274). The team is also second in the AHL defensively, allowing 2.18 goals-per game.
· Goaltender Ryan Miller leads all AHL goaltenders in wins (31), minutes played (2727:46), saves (1302) and is tied for first in shutouts (7). Miller is ninth with a 2.11 goals-against average.
· Forward Chris Taylor has moved up the Amerks history books over the past few weeks. Taylor is now 13th on the all-time points list with 303 and is ninth on the all-time assist list with 207. Taylor also is tied for 20th on the all-time goal-scoring list with Doug Gibson with 96.
· Forward Norm Milley is now in 17th spot (348) on the Amerks all-time games played list.

Shooting Stars:
After 57 regular season games, the following players lead the team in the following statistical categories:
Skaters: Goals- Thomas Vanek (22); Assists- Chris Taylor (37) Points- Chris Taylor (50); Shots- Jason Pominville (182); Penalty Minutes- Sean McMorrow (187)
Goaltending: Minutes- Ryan Miller (2727:46); Saves- Ryan Miller (1302); Goals-Against Average- Tom Askey (1.80); Save Percentage- Tom Askey (.940)

Amerks on the Dials:
Television- None

Radio and Webcast: Friday and Sunday's games will be broadcast on WHTK 1280-AM. Both games will also be available on webcast on the Official Website of the Rochester Americans at www.amerks.com.


AMERKS SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Friday, February 25 at Hamilton Bulldogs 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 27 SYRACUSE CRUNCH 6:05 p.m.
Friday, March 4 EDMONTON ROADRUNNERS 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 5 at Manitoba Moose 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 6 at Manitoba Moose 3:00 p.m.

Upcoming Promotions:

Hall of Fame Night Changed to 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 Serve Plates Instead of Pucks: The 2005 Amerks Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Auction will be next Monday, February 28th at 5:30 p.m. at the Clarion Riverside Hotel. Join the entire Amerks Team as they "serve plates instead of pucks" to help fund a cure for CF. For further information, contact the Rochester Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (585) 697-0777 or Jo Anne Fournier at jfournier@cff.org. Tickets are only $45 each and can be purchased individually or in groups. Tables of 10 are available for sponsors ($1000 and $750 levels), including bonuses such as your choice of an Amerks player as your waiter and ads in the program and event day signage and logo placement.

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 Kid's Night This Sunday: On Sunday, February 27th, all kids 12 and under can receive a $15.00 ticket to the Amerks-Crunch game for only $5.00. 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, February 22 10:00 a.m. practice at ESL

Wednesday, February 23 10:00 a.m. practice at ESL

Thursday, February 24 10:00 a.m. practice at ESL

Friday, February 25 10:00 a.m. Game day skate at BCA
7:30 p.m. game vs. Hamilton Bulldogs
Copps Coliseum; Hamilton, Ontario
WHTK 1280-AM and www.amerks.com

Saturday, February 26 10:30 a.m. practice at ESL

Sunday, February 27 10:00 a.m. Game day skate at BCA
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

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American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2005


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