Rochester Hosts Hamilton Tonight In Playoff Preview
Published on April 15, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
Game Notes: The Rochester Americans will close out their 2007 regular season tonight, as they welcome the Hamilton Bulldogs to The Blue Cross Arena. The Amerks need just one point in tonight's 6:05 p.m. contest to claim second place in the North Division, and home ice for the first round of the postseason. The game will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks. It will also be aired tape delayed on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26. Before the game, the Amerks will honor the best performances of the season on their Annual Awards Night.
Head-to-Head: The Amerks have held their own against a tough Bulldogs team this season, accruing a 4-5-0 record against their North Division rivals. The Amerks earned a narrow 2-1 win over the 'Dogs in their last meeting on April 6th. Amerks wingers Mark Mancari and Michael Ryan netted Rochester's pair of goals, while goaltender Adam Dennis was solid between the pipes, stopping 20 of 21 Bulldog shots. Although their last meeting had a narrow margin of victory, the rest of the season series has not necessarily been as tight. On four occasions, Hamilton defeated Rochester by three or more goals, while Rochester managed to return the favor, beating Hamilton by three goals twice.
Amerks Notes: Rochester has managed to climb into sixth in the league in power-play percentage (18.2%) after registering 10 power-play goals in its last seven games. Wilkes-Barre Scranton leads the league, going 21.2% with the man advantage. Michael Ryan has 51 points (28+23) on the season, and has managed to find the back of the net in three straight games. The Amerks' fourth-year man has collected 10 points (8+2) in his last seven games since returning from his latest recall with the Buffalo Sabres on March 27th. Despite his recent surge in scoring, Ryan still trails Mark Mancari (22+34), Janis Sprukts (18+40) and Clarke MacArthur (20+41), who currently lead the Amerks' offense. Sprukts' 58 points (18+40) and 40 assists are currently eighth and fifth, respectively, among league rookies.
Hamilton Notes: Hamilton has managed to keep pace with the Amerks for the homestretch of the regular season. The Bulldogs have earned points in their last four contests, going 3-0-0-1 during the stretch. Defenseman Andre Benoit (1+2), left winger Eric Manlow (1+2) and right winger Duncan Milroy (2+1) have been carrying the hot sticks for Hamilton, as they all enter tonight's game on three-game point streaks. Milroy's 25 goals, 58 points (25+33) and 14 power-play goals are tops among Bulldog scorers. Right winger Andrei Kostitsyn has done some damage against the Amerks this season, as he registered 12 points (4+8) in just six games against Rochester.
Next Game: Pending the outcome of tonight's contest, the Amerks face two possible first-round playoff schedule scenarios. If Rochester earns a win, an overtime loss or a shootout loss tonight, they will host Hamilton at The Blue Cross Arena on Thursday, April 19th for a 7:05 p.m. game. If the Bulldogs manage to upend the Amerks tonight, Hamilton will grab the second-place finish and host Rochester for a 7:30 p.m. game at Copps Coliseum on Wednesday, April 18th. In both cases, the games will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.
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