Amerks to host Sabres-Amerks alumni game Sunday
March 19, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans (39-26-1-0, 79 pts.) earned two crucial wins last week, and now trail the second-place Hamilton Bulldogs (37-23-3-4, 81 pts.) by just two points in the North Division standings. The Manitoba Moose (39-17-7-4, 89 pts.) have taken a stranglehold on the top spot in the division. The Amerks will look to claim a share of second-place as they do battle with the Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 21st, before heading to Texas to face Houston and San Antonio. The Amerks will complete another busy week on Sunday, March 25th, as they host the Syracuse Crunch on Hall of Fame Night at The Blue Cross Arena.
The Amerks midweek clash with Hamilton will be the seventh of 10 scheduled meetings between the two North Division rivals this season. The Amerks are 2-4 in 2006-07 and 52-42-8 all-time against the Bulldogs. The 7:30 p.m. contest will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.
The Amerks will take a late-week tour of the Lone Star State, as they visit the Houston Aeros on Friday, March 23rd and the San Antonio Rampage on Saturday, March 24th. Both contests will be the second and final meetings between the Amerks and the Texas-based foes. Friday's contest in Houston is scheduled to begin at 8:35 p.m. EST, while Saturday, the Amerks are slated to hit the ice at 8:00 p.m. EST in San Antonio. Both contests will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.
After Saturday's showdown with the Rampage, the Amerks will fly back to Rochester to host the Syracuse Crunch on Sunday, March 25th. At the game, fans will be able to purchase four tickets to the game, drinks, hot dogs and programs for $60 as a part of the Zweigle's Family Four-Pack. The 7:05 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. Preceding the game will be the second annual Amerks-Sabres alumni game to benefit the Golisano Children's Hospital.
Last week, the Amerks earned four important points and may have gained some momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Amerks have won just three of their last 13 games, but are 2-2-0 in their last four contests.
On March 14th, the Amerks traveled to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where they defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-2. Amerks goaltender Adam Dennis made 27 saves to pick up his first win since January 27th.
Rochester continued its tour of Eastern Pennsylvania on March 16th, as they visited the Philadelphia Phantoms. The Phantoms shut out the Amerks, 3-0, to sweep the two-game season series. Adam Dennis again made the start in net and came up with 30 saves in the loss.
After a harrowing travel experience, thanks to some uncooperative weather conditions, the Amerks faced-off against the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum on March 17th. Stefan Meyer registered a tally for Rochester, but four goals by the Marlies handed the Amerks their second consecutive loss.
Rochester returned home on March 18th and earned a much needed win over the Houston Aeros. The Amerks defeated the Aeros by a score of 3-1 thanks to goals from centers Drew Larman and Janis Sprukts, and left winger Dylan Hunter. Adam Dennis picked up his second win in his last three games in net, making 27 saves on the night.
AMERKS-SABRES ALUMNI GAME SUNDAY
The Amerks' game against the Syracuse Crunch, on Sunday, March 25th will be preceded by a Sabres-Amerks alumni game. The second annual charity game will benefit Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. The event is part of the Amerks' Hall of Fame festivities, which also includes the induction of John Bednarski as the 42nd member of the elite club.
The Amerks Alumni team features past greats like Steve Langdon, Scott Metcalfe, Jim Weimer, Jim Pettie and Brian McKinnon. Recent players Craig Charron, Chris Palmer and Jason Cipolla will also bolster the Amerks' side. Rochester's coaching staff is loaded with talent, as Randy Cunneyworth, Moe Mantha, and Amerk Hall of Famer Geordie Robertson patrol the bench.
Some of the Buffalo Sabres participating in the game include Rob Ray, Craig Muni, Grant Ledyard, Darryl Shannon, Ric Seiling, Richie Dunn and Richard Smehlik.
The game begins at 4:00 p.m. and will consist of two 20-minute halves, an alumni skills competition at halftime, a silent auction of signed jerseys and player interviews. Former children's hospital patient Cal Livingston, a Geneseo High School hockey and football player, will drop the puck. Gates open at 3:30 p.m.
The Amerks will host their Hall of Fame award ceremony at 7:05 p.m., immediately before the Amerks take on the Crunch. The alumni game is free with your Amerks home game admission, and tickets to the doubleheader cost $15 each, $5 of which will be donated to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. Orders must be received by Wednesday, March 21st. To purchase, use the form provided at www.gchas.org, or phone (585) 454-5335 ext. 3015 (be sure to mention that you'd like to purchase via the children's hospital charity package).
Players for the Hall of Fame Game
ROCHESTER AMERICANS
STEVE BARTLETT*
JOHN BEDNARSKI*
CRAIG CHARRON
JASON CIPOLLA
DARYL DRADER*
JODY GAGE
STEVE LANGDON
SCOTT McCRORY
BRIAN MCKINNON
SCOTT METCALFE*
CHRIS PALIN
CHRIS PALMER
JIM PETTIE
VINNY PIZO
JIM WEIMER
MIKE ZANUTTO
COACHES
RANDY CUNNEYWORTH
MOE MANTHA
JIM HOFFORD
GEORDIE ROBERTSON
DICK GAMBLE*
BUFFALO SABRES
ROB RAY
GRANT LEDYARD
CRAIG MUNI
DARRYL SHANNON
RIC SEILING
RICHIE DUNN
MARK LAFOREST
MORRIS TITANIC
MIKE BOLAND
RICHARD SMEHLIK
DEREK SMITH*
YURI KHMYLEV*
COACHES
TBA
* PROBABLE
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