Rochester Hosts Houston in Historic Two-Game Series
Published on January 27, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans host the Houston Aeros for the first time in franchise history on Wednesday night. The game is part of a two-game series against the Aeros, which ends Friday night at The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial.
The Amerks (16-17-11-3, 46 points) are coming off consecutive shutout wins over the Central Division rival Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. Rochester's Mika Noronen recorded his first two wins of the season, making 50 saves in the two victories. He moved into second place on the franchise's all-time shutout list with 15, one shy of tying Bobby Perreault's mark of 16. The wins also broke the Amerks' 10-game winless streak (0-5-4-1). Rochester is now 2-0-1-0 in the last three games.
Rochester begins the week on Wednesday, January 29th as it battles the Houston Aeros at 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on WHTK 1280-AM and on the web at www.amerks.com. That night, the Amerks will honor two former No. 9s, as Dick Gamble and Jody Gage will drop the ceremonial first puck, and then sign autographs in the upper atrium lobby during the first intermission. The Wednesday game is the third of four meetings between the two teams. The Amerks are 0-2-0 against the Aeros this season. The final game of the four-game season series is at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, January 31st. The game will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Channel 98 and shown tape delayed at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1st. The contest will also be broadcast on WHTK 1280-AM and on the web at www.amerks.com.
Houston (32-11-4-0) enters the game with the best record in the Western Conference with 68 points. The Aeros are riding a five-game winning streak and are 16-1-2 over their last 19 games. In the month of January, the Aeros are 10-1-2.
Prior to Friday's game, fans can enjoy the Labatt Ice Kickin' Happy Hour at Nathaniel's Pub, which is located at 251 Exchange Blvd. The party begins at 5:00 p.m. and the package includes an Amerk game ticket, two free draft beers, and pregame food until 7:30 p.m. Call 454-5335 for more information, or go to www.amerks.com.
On Saturday, the Rochester Americans battle the Central Division rival Syracuse Crunch at 7:30 p.m. The Amerks are 2-0-1 against the Crunch this season. Syracuse (14-25-5-2, 35 points) enters the week in fourth place in the division. The Crunch are 3-5-1-1 over their last 10 games. The game on Saturday is the fourth of 12 meetings between the two franchises. The contest will be broadcast on WHAM 1180-AM and on the web at www.amerks.com.
News and Notes:
Amerks to serve plates instead of pucks at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: The Rochester Americans will be serving plates instead of pucks at the annual 2003 Amerks Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction, to be held on Tuesday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m. at The Four Points Sheraton in downtown Rochester. Amerk players will serve guests their food and drinks for tips, with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester. For dinner, auction and ticket information, contact the Rochester chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (585) 697-0777.
· Rochester Americans left wing Jason Botterill will represent the Amerks at the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, February 2-3.
· Botterill, who will play for the Canadian All-Star team, leads the Amerks and the AHL with 28 goals... He also has a team-leading 43 points (28+15) in 47 games... He is tied for 11th in the AHL in scoring.
· Chris Taylor is tied for second in the league with 36 assists... He is also tied for 16th in the AHL with 42 points (6+36) in 37 games.
· Sean McMorrow is first in the AHL with 225 penalty minutes.
American Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2003
- Saint John Weekly - Saint John Flames
- Moose Finish Homestand, Then Play in Hamilton Prior to Break - Manitoba Moose
- Sound Tigers Finish Road Trip, Open Homestand - Bridgeport Islanders
- Rochester Hosts Houston in Historic Two-Game Series - Rochester Americans
- Royal Review - Manchester Monarchs
- Griffins Dance Texas Two-Step - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Let's Play Three - Cleveland Barons
- Bulldogs Leading the Way - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Ouellet, Foster added to All-Star roster - AHL
- On the Road Again - Houston Aeros
- Toby Petersen and the Penguins Join Forces to Fight Diabetes - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Kings Recall Cammalleri from Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Geoff Ward Becomes Bulldogs Head Coach - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Ferraro named AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- All-Star Game is AHL's 'Maine' Event - AHL
- Blackhawks Recall Passmore, Assign Leighton - Norfolk Admirals
- Strong Play Helps Crunch Earn Points In Four Straight - Syracuse Crunch
- Bears Announce Updates to Merchandise Website - Hershey Bears
- Pittsburgh Penguins Recall LW Konstantin Koltsov from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Falcons sign Todd Gill - Springfield Falcons
- Payette released from PTO - Manitoba Moose
- Admirals Shut Out Opponents in Back-to-Back Games - Norfolk Admirals
- Bears Entrenched in Second Place - Hershey Bears
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