AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks look to end skid Wednesday

Published on February 26, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans (36-20-1-0, 73 pts.) have lost four straight games and have slipped into a second-place tie in the North Division standings, two points behind the surging Manitoba Moose. The Amerks will look to reclaim a share of the top spot in the division on Wednesday, February 28th when they take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at The Blue Cross Arena. The Amerks and Griffins will then meet again on Sunday, March 4th at The Blue Cross Arena.

On February 28th, fans will be able to take advantage of the clevermethod Business Special by turning in their business card at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office. In return, they will receive a regular 19.00 ticket to the game for $10.00. The 7:05 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

The Amerks' showdown with the Griffins on March 4th is a Zweigle's Family Four-Pack Night. Fans can purchase four tickets to the game, four hotdogs and four regular drinks for $60.00 by contacting The Blue Cross Arena Box Office. Fans who purchase tickets for the game will be able to enjoy a pre-game exhibition contest featuring former Amerks and the American Heart Association's (AHA) team of players. The contest, termed "Hockey for Heart," is slated to start at 3:00 p.m. The Amerks' 6:05 p.m. game versus Grand Rapids 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.

After both games, fans can head down to Nathaniel's Pub for the Official Labatt Postgame Parties. Nathaniel's is located at 251 Exchange Blvd., one block from The Blue Cross Arena.

Grand Rapids (29-22-4-2, 64 pts.) is currently fourth in the North Division, nine points back of Manitoba. Despite their modest position in the standings, the Griffins have sailed through the month of February, going 8-2 in the month, and 9-2 in their last eleven games. Only Manitoba, with a record of 9-1 in their last ten games, has been hotter. In their last four games, the Griffins earned three straight overtime shootout wins before falling to Hamilton, 3-2, on February 25th.

The Amerks' current four-game losing streak is their longest since they lost three straight between February 3rd and February 9th. Forward Janis Sprukts' 33 assists is good enough for 14th among league leaders and second among league rookies. His 46 points (13+33) ranks seventh among American Hockey League rookies. Brandon Smith has 33 points (8+25), good enough for fourth among AHL defensemen, while his 25 assists is fifth best among league blue liners.

On February 21st, the Amerks suffered their second consecutive shutout, as they were defeated by the San Antonio Rampage by a score of 2-0. Amerks goaltender Adam Dennis stopped 22 shots in his first start since February 11th.

Forwards Jonathan Lehun and Chaz Johnson, and goaltender Adam Berkhoel made their Amerks debuts on February 23rd, but the night was bittersweet for the three newcomers, as the Amerks dropped an 8-3 decision to the Manitoba Moose at The Blue Cross Arena.

The Rochester Americans' offensive woes continued Saturday, as they were shut out by the Toronto Marlies, 3-0, at Ricoh Coliseum. The Amerks went 0-for-8 on the power play as they lost their fourth straight. Dennis made 17 saves as he fell to 11-11-0 on the season.

PLAYER MOVES

The Amerks had another busy week of transactions last week, as they lost forwards Mark Mancari and Pat Kaleta, and goaltender Craig Anderson to NHL recalls. Forward Kamil Kreps was reassigned to Rochester by the Florida Panthers, while goaltender Adam Berkhoel was reassigned to Rochester from Dayton by Buffalo. The Amerks also inked forward Chaz Johnson of the Rockford IceHogs (UHL) to a PTO contract to help fill their depleted lineup. The Amerks also recalled forward Jonathan Lehun from the Florida Everblades (ECHL), but have since sent him back to the ECHL.

Anderson's recall by the Florida Panthers, which came on February 19th, was his first of the season. Anderson has yet to play with the Panthers this year, but he does have NHL experience. In his NHL career, he has a 12-29-6 record and a 3.19 goals-against average. Last season, the Park Ridge, Illinois, native played in 29 games with the Chicago Blackhawks and recorded a 6-12-4 mark, 3.32 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage. Anderson has played in 31 games with Rochester and has notched a 21-10-0 record and a 2.63 goals-against average.

Berkhoel was reassigned to Rochester by Buffalo on February 20th, and he made his Amerks debut on February 23rd, as he entered the game in the third period, in relief of Adam Dennis, in the Amerks' 8-3 loss to Manitoba. Berkhoel posted a 2.31 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and a 21-14-3 record in 38 games this season with Dayton (ECHL).

Kaleta earned his first recall by Buffalo on February 21st. He made his NHL debut, and earned his first NHL assist/point on a goal by fellow Amerk Clarke MacArthur, in the Sabres' fight-filled contest against the Ottawa Senators on February 22nd. Kaleta has three goals, seven assists and a plus-one rating with the Amerks this season. The Buffalo native leads the team in penalty minutes with 87.

Lehun received his first recall by the Amerks on February 22nd and made his AHL debut the following night in the Amerks' 8-3 loss to Manitoba. He played again with the Amerks on February 24th in Toronto, and was then reassigned to Florida (ECHL) by Rochester on February 25th. He has 18 goals and 16 assists in 33 games with the Everblades this season.

Buffalo recalled Mancari for the first time on February 23rd. He played in the Sabres' 6-5 loss to Ottawa on February 24th, and registered a minus-one rating and received 8:24 of ice time.

The Amerks signed forward Chaz Johnson to a PTO contract on February 23rd. He was released after the Amerks' game in Toronto on February 24th and was re-signed again today. Johnson comes to Rochester after registering 14 goals and 12 assists in 45 games with the Rockford IceHogs (UHL).

PLAYER COMMUNITY APPEARANCES

The Rochester Americans ‘Reading Power Play' will hold its final appearance as it visits The Chili Public Library tonight at 7:00 p.m. Amerks defenseman Mike Card will read "Z is Zamboni" and talk about hockey at the location at 3333 Chili Ave.

During the 2006-07 hockey season, Amerk players visited Monroe County Libraries to read to youth, talk about the importance of reading, and give a hockey demonstration. Each appearance also featured a raffle for Amerks memorabilia and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2007


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