AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks prepare for four games in five nights

Published on February 6, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans will play four games in five nights this week. The stretch kicks-off Wednesday, February 7th, as the Amerks take on the Binghamton Senators at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The Amerks are 7-0 against the B-Sens this season and have an opportunity to complete the eight-game season-series sweep on Wednesday night. The 7:05 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

On Friday, February 9th, the Amerks return to Rochester to take on the Philadelphia Phantoms at The Blue Cross Arena. The meeting will be the first of two scheduled between the two teams this season. The first 500 fans 18 or older will receive a voucher for a free New York Lottery ticket. The 7:35 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks, and will be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.

The Amerks will do battle with the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights on Saturday February 10th at The Blue Cross Arena. Omaha narrowly defeated Rochester by a score of 2-1 on January 20th in Omaha. The Knights (29-15-3-0, 61 pts.) currently trail Chicago by eight points in the West Division standings. Saturday's showdown will be the second and final regular season meeting between the two teams this season. The 8:05 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks and will be televised tape delayed on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.

The Amerks will complete their tough four games in five-night stint on Sunday, February 11th, as they take on the Hamilton Bulldogs at Copps Coliseum. The game is the sixth of 10 scheduled meetings between the two North Division rivals this season. The Amerks are 2-3 in the first five games against the Bulldogs. The 4:00 p.m. matinee will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

With a record of 33-13-1-0 and 67 points, the Amerks currently stand second in the Western Conference, just two points behind the Chicago Wolves, with five games in-hand. Heading into this week, the Amerks have won 10 of their last 12 contests and they need just 11 more points to match their 2005-06 season total of 78 points. There are 33 games remaining in their 2006-07 regular season schedule.

Last week, forwards Michael Ryan and Drew Stafford were awarded weekly and monthly awards, respectively, by the American Hockey League. Ryan was named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending on January 28th. He picked up four goals and three assists in three games for the Amerks to merit the honor. Stafford received Rbk Hockey/AHL Rookie of the Month honors for January after tallying six goals and seven assists in just seven games during the month.

On Friday, February 2nd, Amerks forward Clarke MacArthur registered a goal and an assist to extend his home point-scoring streak to 14 games, as the Rochester Americans defeated the Toronto Marlies, 6-1, at The Blue Cross Arena.

On the following night, the Amerks did not fair nearly as well, as they were shutout, 6-0, by the Syracuse Crunch at the War Memorial at Oncenter. The shutout was Crunch goaltender Dan LaCosta's second in as many starts. At the other end, Craig Anderson picked up his first loss since January 4th. He had won eight straight starts entering Saturday night.

PLAYER MOVES

On Saturday, February 3rd, Amerks defenseman Martin Lojek was recalled by the Florida Panthers. The rookie blue liner joined fellow Amerks David Booth and Anthony Stewart in the Panthers' lineup later that evening as they were pounded by the Los Angeles Kings, 7-0, at BankAtlantic Center.

Lojek has four goals and 10 assists in 41 games with the Amerks this season. His plus-19 rating is sixth best among AHL leaders.

Stewart, who was recalled on January 25th, was reassigned to Rochester by Florida following their loss to the Kings on February 3rd. Stewart recorded four shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in his most recent four-game stint with the Panthers. In ten games with Florida this season, he has one assist, which he recorded on January 20th against Washington. He has seven goals and nine assists in 34 games with the Amerks this season.

AMERKS QUICK NUMBERS

- Attendance: 7,929 per home game (third in AHL)

- Power-play: 51/289, 17.6% (13th in AHL)

- Penalty kill: 200/257, 77.8% (25th in AHL)

- Penalty minutes: 17.6 PIM per game (fifth lowest in AHL)

- Forward Michael Ryan has nine points (5+4) in his last five games.

- Forward Clarke MacArthur is currently fifth among league leaders with 57 points (18+39).

- Forward Janis Sprukts is currently eighth among league rookies with 39 points (11+28)... His 28 assists are tied for third among league rookies.

- Brandon Smith is fourth among league defensemen with 31 points (8+23)... His 23 assists are fifth best.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY APPEARANCES

Amerks Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction: February 13th

The Rochester Americans 17th annual Amerks Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction is set for Tuesday, February 13th at The Clarion Riverside Hotel in downtown Rochester.

Amerk players will serve guests their food and drinks for tips, with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester. The tipping does not stop after dinner, as players perform antics and tricks with their guests and fellow players for more money. The event also includes live, silent and Chinese auctions. Last year, the dinner and auction raised $48,378 for the CF Foundation. Great sports memorabilia items from the National Hockey League, American Hockey League and the National Football League are available. Other items include game-worn jerseys from the Amerks, Knighthawks, Rhinos and Rattlers. Featured items include a Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings jersey and 1980 U.S. Men's Ice Hockey "Miracle of Ice" memorabilia.

The featured items, however, are stuffed animals assembled by the Amerks players at the Eastview Mall Build-A-Bear. The furry friends ranged from frogs to bears to monkeys, each sporting special outfits portraying the personality of the players. The Build-A-Bear creations are available as part of the silent auction. The money raised that evening go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester to fund on-going, groundbreaking medical research aimed at curing and controlling cystic fibrosis.

For dinner, auction and ticket information, contact the Rochester chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (585) 697-0777. Tables are available for sponsorship level donations, including bonuses such as selecting your favorite Amerks player as a waiter.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Tuesday, February 6 10:00 a.m. practice at The Blue Cross Arena

Wednesday, February 7 10:00 a.m. morning skate at The Blue Cross Arena

7:05 p.m. game @ Binghamton

Thursday, February 8 10:00 a.m. game at The Blue Cross Arena

Friday, February 9 10:00 a.m. morning skate

7:35 p.m. game vs. Philadelphia at The Blue Cross Arena

Saturday, February 10 10:00 a.m. morning skate

8:05 p.m. game vs. Omaha at The Blue Cross Arena

Sunday, February 11 10:00 a.m. skate at ESL Sports Centre

4:00 p.m. game @ Hamilton

Monday, February 12 12:00 p.m. practice at The Blue Cross Arena

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American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2007


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