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AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks To Play All Three Games Against Divisional Canadian Teams This Week

February 2, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


On The Ice: The Rochester Americans (21-17-7-3, 52 points) will play three important North Division games this week, including one home game on Friday, February 6th against the Manitoba Moose.

Wednesday, January 4, 2004 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Rochester Americans at Hamilton Bulldogs

Copps Coliseum; Hamilton, Ontario

The Amerks will play the Hamilton Bulldogs (26-15-7-2, 61 points) in an important game in the standings. The Bulldogs lead the North Division, and the Amerks, by nine points. The Bulldogs lead the season series 4-3, but the Amerks still lead the all-time series with a 36-30-6 mark. Last time out, Amerks forward Jason Dawe picked up two goals, and Tom Askey stopped all 32 shots he faced, as the Amerks defeated the Bulldogs 2-0 on December 21st. Amerks forward Jason Pominville leads the Amerks in the season series with seven points (4+3). For the Bulldogs, forward Thomas Plekanec has picked up six points (3+3) against Rochester. Forward Jozef Balej leads the team in scoring with 46 points (23+23), which is also good for sixth place among AHL leading scorers. Goaltender Eric Fichaud has taken over the goaltending load this season in Hamilton. Fichaud (13-9-2-1) has posted a 2.31 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Overall, the Bulldogs are fourth in the AHL in scoring, averaging 2.88 goals per game, and seventh in the league in goals-against with a 2.24 average. The Bulldogs are 11th in the AHL in the power-play department with a 15.1% (36 for 238) and are sixth in penalty killing with an 87.6% (211 for 241).

Friday, February 6, 2004 7:35 p.m.

Manitoba Moose at Rochester Americans

The Blue Cross Arena; Rochester, NY

The Amerks will play another key divisional game, this time on home ice against the Manitoba Moose (18-23-7-2, 45 points). This will be the fifth meeting between the two clubs this season. The Moose and Amerks split the first four games they have played this season. Last time out, Domenic Pittis and Milan Bartovic each picked up a goal to lead the Amerks to a 2-1 victory on January 11th. This season, Norm Milley leads the Amerks against the Moose with four points (3+1). Tyler Bouck leads the Moose in the series with four points (2+2) as well. The Moose have been led by forward Brandon Reid with 35 points (10+25) so far this season. Goaltender Tyler Moss (10-13-5) has a 2.81 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage to lead the Moose in goal. The team is currently 13th in the AHL in goals-per game (2.60), but is 25th in the AHL in goals against, giving up 2.90 per game. The team has the AHL's 18th ranked power play unit, with a 13.4% success rate (36 for 268). The Moose are ranked 24th in penalty killing with an 81.9% rate (181 of 221).

Saturday, February 7, 2004 4:00 p.m.

Rochester Americans at Toronto Roadrunners

Ricoh Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario

The Toronto Roadrunners (17-22-8-2, 44 points) have seen a lot of the Amerks so far this season. The game on Saturday will be the ninth time these teams have faced each other. The Amerks have a 6-0-2 record against the Roadrunners in the series. The Amerks goaltenders have been the difference so far. Tom Askey (1-0-0-0, 1.92 GAA) and Ryan Miller (5-0-1-0, 1.32 GAA) have a combined 1.50 goals-against average (12 goals on 262 shots) and have given up more than two goals only once. Last time out, Amerks goaltender Tom Askey played spectacularly, making 38 saves to earn Rochester a 2-2 tie in Toronto on January 25th. The Roadrunners have been led by forward Jamie Wright, who has 35 points (13+22). Goaltender Stephen Valiquette (9-14-5-0) has seen a lot of hockey pucks this season. Valiquette has a 2.82 GAA and a .904 save percentage. Toronto is 12th in the power-play column with 15.0% (32 for 215), and 23rd in penalty killing with an 83.6% (184 of 220). The Roadrunners are 10th in the league averaging 2.71 goals per-game and are 27th in goals-against with a 3.04.

Around the Boards:

· The Amerks are ranked ninth defensively in the AHL, allowing 2.42 goals per game, but are now 19th in goal scoring averaging 2.38 goals per game. The team has the league's seventh best power play unit with a 16.6% (41 for 247) and the ninth ranked penalty-killing unit with an 87.3% success rate · (199 for 228). The Amerks are 15-7-2-0 on home ice this season and 6-10-5-3 away

from The Blue Cross Arena.

· Amerks forward Jason Pominville leads the AHL in power-play goals with 15, and is 12th in the AHL in scoring with 40 points (20+20). · · The American Hockey League announced today that Hershey Bears right wing Shane Willis has been named the Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 1, 2004. In three games, Willis scored four goals to keep the Bears in the thick of the AHL's East Division playoff race. ·

ALL-STAR AMERKS: Two Amerks will represent the Flower City at the 2004 AHL All-Star Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan this weekend. Forward Jason Pominville will compete for the Canadian All-Star team while goaltender Ryan Miller will be between the pipes for the PlanetUSA squad, comprised of players born in the United States and Europe. Pominville was named a starter for the Canadian side, while Miller will have a homecoming of sorts. The East Lansing, Michigan native will play in his home state, where he also played college hockey for Michigan State. The 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic will take place at Van Andel Arena. The event gets underway on Sun., February 8, with the 2004 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 7:00 p.m. (ET), with the annual All-Star Game following at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on Mon., February 9. The Skills Competition and the All-Star Classic will be televised live on the Empire Sports Network. The All-Star Classic can also be seen live on Fox Sports Net New York and the Skills Competition will be played tape delay at 10:00 on February 9th.

AMERKS CELEBRITY WAITER DINNER & SPORTS MEMORABILIA AUCTION: The Rochester Americans will be serving plates instead of pucks at the annual 2004 Amerks Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction, to be held on Tuesday, February 24th at 5:30 p.m. 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. Great sports memorabilia items from the National Hockey League and National Football League will highlight the auction. Items include authentic autographed jerseys from Rochester native and New Jersey Devil Brian Gionta, former Amerk and current Chicago Blackhawk player Scott Nichol, and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds. American Hockey League items from the Chicago Wolves, Milwaukee Admirals, Manitoba Moose and Norfolk Admirals will also be available in the silent auction. In addition, game-worn jerseys from the Amerks, Knighthawks, Rhinos and Rattlers will be present at the event. Donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester will 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 or at jfournier@cff.org. Tables are available for sponsorship level donations including bonuses such as choice of your Amerks player waiter.

"3 Star Investment Award" brought to you by the Doyle, Moll, Spencer Group at Morgan Stanley: The "3 Star Investment Award" brought to you by the Doyle, Moll, Spencer Group at Morgan Stanley will be given to the player that accumulates the most points during the 2003-04 season. Through 23 home games, forwards Derek Roy, Jason Pominville and goaltender Ryan Miller are all tied with 13 points with the most three star nominations. The winner of the award will receive two round trip tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, courtesy of the Doyle, Moll, Spencer Group at Morgan Stanley.

Shooting Stars:

After 48 games, the following players lead the Amerks in statistical categories:

Skaters: Goals- Jason Pominville (20); Assists- Domenic Pittis (30) Points- Jason Pominville (40); Shots- Jason Pominville (129); Penalty Minutes- Sean McMorrow (144)

Goaltending: Wins- Ryan Miller (15); Minutes- Ryan Miller (2066:57); Saves- Ryan Miller (971); Goals-Against Average- Ryan Miller (2.18); Save Percentage- Ryan Miller (.928)

Amerks on the Dials:

Television- Friday's game against Manitoba will be televised on Time Warner Cable Channel 98 on Saturday, February 7th at 12:30 p.m.

Radio and Webcast: Wednesday and Friday's games will be broadcast on WHTK 1280-AM. Saturday's contest will be broadcast on WHAM 1180-AM. All three games will also be available on webcast on the Official Website of the Rochester Americans at www.amerks.com.

Faceoff- Catch the latest episode of "Faceoff", the Amerks and Knighthawks weekly highlight and talk show this Saturday, February 7th at midnight and Sunday, February 8th at 11:30 a.m. only on the WB16.

AMERKS GAME SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Wednesday, February 4 at Hamilton Bulldogs 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 6 MANITOBA MOOSE 7:35 p.m.

Saturday, February 7 at Toronto Roadrunners 4:00 p.m.

Friday, February 13 ST. JOHN'S MAPLE LEAFS 7:35 p.m.

Saturday, February 14 at Syracuse Crunch 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 15 ST. JOHN'S MAPLE LEAFS 6:05 p.m.

***Home Games in Caps

At the Box Office:

American Heart Association Night: On Friday, February 6th, fans who wear red to the game will receive $3.00 off any reserved seat. The first 5,000 fans will receive a pin to celebrate the kick-off of the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" Campaign.

Xerox Night: On Friday, February 6th, all Xerox employees can purchase $14.25 tickets for $9.25 by showing their Xerox ID at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Night: On Friday, February 6th, all Blue Cross/Blue Shield members can receive $3.00 off each ticket purchased at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office.

Amerks Weekly Schedule:

Monday, February 2 Practice at ESL 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 3 Practice at ESL 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 4 Game Day Skate 10:00 a.m. at ESL

7:05 p.m. game at Hamilton

WHTK 1280-AM & amerks.com

Thursday, February 5 Practice at ESL 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 6 Game Day Skate 10:00 a.m. at BCA

7:35 p.m. game vs. Manitoba

Tape Delay on Time Warner Cable Channel 98

Saturday, February 7that 12:30 p.m.

WHTK 1280-AM & amerks.com

Saturday, February 7 4:00 p.m. game at Toronto

WHAM 1180-AM & amerks.com

Sunday, February 8 Off

SABRE TALK:

Sabres Scoring Spree: The Buffalo Sabres are 6-4-0-0 in their last 10 games and have won four straight games. The Sabres are currently in fifth place in the Northeast Division with 52 points (23-25-5-1).

Leader Board: The Sabres are led by forward Daniel Briere with 37 points (16+21). Miroslav Satan leads the team in goal scoring with 18. Chris Drury leads the team with 23 assists. Mika Noronen (9-13-1) leads the goaltending crew with a 2.17 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Martin Biron leads the duo with 14 wins (14-10-4).

Upcoming Games: The Sabres will return to home ice on Thursday night (February 5th) to face the Boston Bruins at HSBC Arena for their only game this week. The Sabres will play six of their next seven games at home.




American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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