AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks Look To Continue Win Streak This Weekend

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


(Rochester, NY)... Coming off of three wins in three straight nights, the Rochester Americans are gearing up for another three-in-three weekend to kick off the month of April.

Rochester heads into the last month of the AHL season on the road as it renews its longtime I-90 interstate rival with the Syracuse Crunch on Friday, April 4th at the War Memorial at Oncenter. The 7:30 p.m. contest is the 10th of 12 scheduled meetings between the rival clubs and 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. The Amerks were shut down in their last meeting with the Crunch, losing 3-0 at the War Memorial at Oncenter on March 14th. Rochester is 2-6-0-1 this season and 78-64-15 all-time against the Columbus Blue Jackets' affiliate.

The Amerks return home Saturday, April 5th to attempt a repeat of last week's 5-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 7:35 p.m. contest at The Blue Cross Arena 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. The Amerks have been fairly successful against this divisional competitor, collecting a total of nine points in six games so far this season. The Amerks are 16-15-2 all-time against the Detroit Red Wings' affiliate.

Saturday's game falls on Zweigle's Night. Fans can purchase a package that includes four 200-level end seats, four hot dogs, four sodas and four magazines for $60.00. It may be purchased through the Amerks office at 585-454-5335 or through The Blue Cross Arena Box Office. Also, the first 2,500 fans (21 and older) will take home an Amerks' Stars and Stripes jersey koozie, courtesy of Labatt.

The weekend ends with a second meeting between the Amerks and Crunch on Sunday, April 6th. The 6:05 p.m. home game will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 networks. The game will also be televised tape delayed on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.

Sunday night will be Amerks Hall of Fame Night. The Amerks will induct Gates Orlando and Craig Charron as the 43rd and 44th members into the team's prestigious Hall of Fame. Sunday is also Supercuts' $6.00 Sunday.

Kids 12 and under can purchase a $6.00 Sunday ticket in the 100 and 200 end seating areas. Fans are also invited to The Distillery at 300 Paddy Creek Circle in Greece to enjoy the official Amerks postgame party. Show your guest check from The Distillery at the BCA Box Office for a $3.00 discount off any 100 or 200 premium Amerks ticket. (Regular price $21).

The Amerks grabbed six points last week in their busy four-game five-night schedule. Despite the success, Rochester sits at the bottom of the North Division of the AHL with a 23-40-6-4 record.

Wednesday night featured game one of a two-game mini series at home against the Manitoba Moose. The Amerks fell 4-1 in the midweek matchup. Tanner Glass put in Rochester's lone goal to strike first blood on the night with help from Marek Zagrapan 3:16 into the first period.

The Amerks came out to settle the score and avoid the season sweep Friday night with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Moose. The victory, marking the Amerks' 4,000th regular season game, was fueled by an impressive start from the Amerks, as Rochester was up 3-0 at the end of the first period. Jordan Henry and Dylan Hunter both had two point nights with one goal and one assist each, earning them first and third star honors, respectively. Drew Larman put away the only shootout goal of the night for the win.

The Amerks had little time to celebrate as they immediately hit the road to obtain a 5-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday. A solid showing from Rochester's rookies led the Amerks to victory. Marc-Andre Gragnani's two-goal night earned him first star honors while fresh-faced forward Tommy Goebel netted the game winner for the Amerks in the third period. Goaltender Tyler Plante stood on his head to stop a season-high 47 of 49 shots-on-goal, making him the third star of the game.

Before the bus had a chance to cool down, the Amerks headed right back home to find a 4-3 shootout victory over the Binghamton Senators, avoiding another season sweep. "M" was the letter of the night, as Rochester saw two-point efforts from Mark Mancari (1+1), Franklin MacDonald (0+2), and Stefan Meyer (1+1). Meyer scored with 10 second left in the contest to tie the game at three and force overtime. After the scoreless extra frame, Marc-Andre Gragnani and Clarke MacArthur put away the two shootout goals to give Rochester its third consecutive win.

Gragnani's efforts last week raised him to third in the AHL for rookie scoring with 50 points (14+36). The defenseman-turned-forward who holds the team lead in assists is vying for the top spot on the Amerks roster; his 50 points match Mancari's 50 points (17+33) for the team lead. Meyer's 20 goals lead the Amerks with Dylan Hunter hot on his heels with 19 goals this season. Goebel continues to prove himself, collecting five points (2+3) in as many games.

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