AHL Rochester Americans

Plante Backstops Amerks to 2-1 Win Over Marlies

December 30, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


Goaltender Tyler Plante stopped 29 of 30 shots to help the Rochester Americans to a 2-1 win tonight over the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum. The win was Rochester's third straight over its divisional rival on the road as it improved to 16-16-2-1 and moved into a three-way tie for fifth place in the American Hockey League's North Division.

Michael Duco and AJ Jenks potted single goals for the visiting Amerks in front of Plante's stellar performance which earned the netminder his fifth win of the season and the game's first star honors.

Christian Hanson netted Toronto's lone goal as Jussi Rynnas made 22 saves in the losing effort.

The Amerks struck first on the power-play with Duco's team-leading 12th goal of the season late in the opening frame to put Rochester on top 1-0. Clay Wilson and Chris Taylor notched assists on the play, giving Taylor his third straight helper in as many games.

Rochester took a two-goal advantage just 38 seconds into the second stanza as AJ Jenks and Bill Thomas helped set up Triston Grant's third goal of he season to put the Amerks up 2-0. It was just Thomas' second game back with the team since a month-long stint with the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers.

Hanson put his Marlies back within one just under five minutes later to cut Rochester's lead in half, but Plante stopped the next 21 shots he faced to keep Toronto off the board and preserve the 2-1 score for the last 35 minutes of the contest.

The Amerks return home to ring in the New Year on Saturday, January 1st as former Amerk

Nathan Paetsch and the Syracuse Crunch journey west down the I-90 Interstate for the second time in six days with their fourth straight visit to The Blue Cross Arena. Fans can tune into the 7:35 p.m. New Year's Day bash live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK and FM 107.3, Rochester's Sports Talk. The game will also be televised live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet Channel 26.

Saturday night's game will be a New Year's celebration, featuring the third of six "Mystery Puck" nights, courtesy of the Stephens Media Group. Fans can purchase the New Year's-themed pucks for $10 through the Rochester Knighthawks/Amerks Charitable Foundation, Inc. The limited number of one-of-a-kind themed pucks will be sold in the Upper Atrium lobby of The Blue Cross Arena an hour before the game. Some lucky fans that purchase the "New Year's Pucks" will also have the chance to win additional prizes. A select number of pucks will be labeled "WINNER" and can be redeemed at the Amerks Guest Services Booth before the end of the Second Intermission in order to claim their prize. The pucks will be autographed by a current Amerk and will be individually wrapped so that the player's identity remains a mystery until the puck has been purchased. Fans will have the opportunity to collect a special "New Year's Puck" featuring one of 10 possible players. All net proceeds will go to the team's foundation, which will then be distributed to local charities. The first 5,000 fans that night will also take home a 2011 Amerks team calendar.

Check out the Rochester Americans Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2010


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