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AHL Rochester Americans

Rochester Americans vs. Utah Grizzlies

January 14, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


GAME NOTES: The Rochester Americans (23-8-3-3, 52 points) will look to continue their strong play tonight as they host the Utah Grizzlies (9-25-0-2, 20 points). The contest will be broadcast live on WHTK 1280-AM and via the Internet at www.amerks.com. HEAD-TO-HEAD: The Grizzlies travel to Rochester for the first time in franchise history this weekend. In mid-December, the two clubs split their two game series, with each team capturing one win (1-0-0-1).

AMERK NOTES: The Amerks have been one of the hottest teams in league. The team is 10-1-0-0 in their last 11 games. Since the start of November, the team has compiled an impressive 22-4-1-2 mark. The Amerks are now 11-5-2-1 at home, including two wins at HSBC Arena in Buffalo. The team is now second in the AHL in the penalty killing department, with an 89.0% success rate (161 for 181). The Amerks are also ranked third defensively, allowing 2.30 goals-per game. Rookie forward Daniel Paille has collected five points in the last four games (4+1). Goaltender Ryan Miller is 7-1 with a 1.22 GAA in his last eight games. Miller has also posted four shutouts in that span. Rookie forward Thomas Vanek continues to lead all AHL rookies with15 goals.

AMERKS ADD TWO FAMILIAR FACES: The Amerks have signed defenseman Sylvain Dufresne and left wing Jeff Hutchins to professional tryout contracts. Dufresne returns for his second stint of the season with the Amerks. The 26-year-old native of Waterloo, PQ, played in 10 games and notched one assist in his first assignment with Rochester. Dufresne signed a PTO with the Amerks on December 2nd. This season, the defenseman has also played in 18 games with the Toledo Storm of the East Coast Hockey League. In his professional career, he has appeared in 397 games. Hutchins, 26, rejoins the Amerks after playing 22 regular season games and one playoff game with Rochester during the 2003-04 season. He recorded one goal and four assists with the Amerks a year ago. This season, the Toronto, Ontario, native has played in 31 games and notched 17 goals, 15 assists and 108 penalty minutes with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL. Hutchins is in his third season with Mississippi, where he signed after playing college hockey at Union College (ECAC). He compiled 63 points (23+40) and racked up 160 penalty minutes in 109 college games.

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES: The Grizzlies enter the game with the AHL's lowest offense (1.97 goals-per game) and the highest goals-against average (3.72 goals-per game). Last month Grizzlies defenseman Terry Virtue earned the CCM AHL Milestone of the Month Virtue became the 26th player in league history to play in 800 AHL games. In his AHL career, Virtue has won two Calder Cups (1999-Providence and 2000- Hartford) and has scored 83 goals with 283 assists for 366 points. Rookie defenseman Keith Ballard was selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres traded Ballard to the Colorado Avalanche for Steve Reinprecht in 2003. Ballard was also a college teammate of Amerks forward Thomas Vanek at the University of Minnesota.

NEXT HOME GAME: After a road game tomorrow night against the Binghamton Senators, the Amerks will host the Utah Grizzlies again on Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Both contests will be broadcast live on WHTK 1280-AM and via the Internet on www.amerks.com. After Sunday's game, stop by the Amerks official post-game party at the Distillery.

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