AHL Rochester Americans

Cunneyworth wins No. 250, will coach 500th game Friday

Published on November 27, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... Rochester Americans Head Coach Randy Cunneyworth earned his 250th win behind the Amerks bench on Sunday with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum. This week, Cunneyworth will become only the second coach in team history to reach the 500-game plateau, as the Amerks play the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena on December 1st.

Cunneyworth currently trails John Boxmeer (333) and Joe Crozier (260) on the franchise's all-time wins list. He is also second in games coached, trailing only Van Boxmeer (690).

Last week, the Amerks (16-2-1-0, 33 points) had their seven-game winning streak snapped on November 22nd, as they suffered a 4-3 overtime-loss to the Milwaukee Admirals at The Blue Cross Arena. Anthony Stewart's goal with 39 seconds remaining in regulation tied the score at three apiece and sent the game to sudden-death overtime, but Sheldon Brookbank netted the game-winner for Milwaukee with 40 seconds remaining in the extra frame to hand the Amerks their first loss at home this season.

The Amerks rebounded on November 24th, with a 5-2 win over the Iowa Stars to complete their six-game homestand. Rostislav Olesz picked up his first goal with the Amerks, and Greg Jacina netted two of his own, as the Amerks picked up their 15th win of the season. Mancari and Smith contributed with a goal apiece and goaltender Adam Dennis made 33 saves to improve to 6-1 on the season.

The Amerks traveled to Hamilton on November 25th and left with a 6-0 loss at Copps Coliseum. The game was Rochester's third in four nights and the first of a six-game road trip. Adam Dennis made his second straight start and was tagged with only his second loss of the season.

This week, the Amerks continue their trip with a two-game set in Grand Rapids on Friday, December 1st and Saturday, December 2nd at Van Andel Arena. The games will be the second and third of eight scheduled meetings between the North Division rivals this season. In the last meeting between the two teams on October 25th in Grand Rapids, Clarke MacArthur netted the game-winner with just 11 seconds remaining in regulation to give Rochester a 4-3 win. The Amerks are 8-10-1 all-time against the Griffins. The 6:30 p.m. contest on Friday and 7:00 p.m. contest on Saturday will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280-AM WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

Rochester will finish up its trip with a two-game set against the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday, December 5th and Wednesday, December 6th at The MTS Centre. The Amerks defeated the Moose in their previous two meetings this season and are 12-10 against Manitoba all-time. Both contests will begin at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280-AM WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.

Amerks Quick Numbers

- The Amerks are third in the AHL in attendance, averaging 7,735 fans per contest... The Amerks trail only Hershey (8,406) and Wilkes-Barre (8,092).

- The Amerks' .868 winning percentage (16-2-1-0) is tops in the AHL.

- Rochester is 15.9% on the power play (16th in AHL) and 84.5% on the penalty kill (11th in AHL).

- The Amerks are one of two teams (Hershey is the other) to not allow a shorthanded goal yet this season.

- Rochester is the second least penalized team in the league, averaging just 16.0 minutes in penalties per game... Only Lowell is better, averaging 13.8 per game.

- The Amerks possess the lowest team goals-against average, allowing just 2.42 goals per contest.

Upcoming Player Appearances

The Rochester Americans and the Monroe County Libraries are again partnering to provide the "Reading Power Play," which teams Amerk players with local public librarians in support of reading.

On Tuesday, November 28th, a Rochester Americans player and The Moose will be stopping by the Fairport Library (1 Fairport Village Lndg.) at 7:00 p.m. At the appearance, the Amerks player will read to children and sign autographs.

During the 2006-07 hockey season, Amerk players will continue to visit participating libraries to read to youth, talk about the importance of reading, and give a hockey demonstration. Each appearance also features a raffle for Amerk memorabilia and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2006


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