Rochester hosts Toronto tonight
March 28, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
Game Notes: Tonight, the Rochester Americans will host the Toronto Marlies on IKON Office Solution Night at The Blue Cross Arena. The contest, which is slated to start at 7:05 p.m., is the middle game of a three-game homestand, and the first game of a two-game series between Toronto and Rochester. The game will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks.
Head-to-Head: The Amerks are 3-3-0 against the Marlies in 2006-07 and have an even 7-7-0 all-time record against their rivals from the North. Toronto has managed to snag victories in its last two meetings with Rochester, including a 4-1 win in its last encounter on March 17th. According to the all-time record, home-ice has not influenced either team's ability to play even. The Amerks are 3-3-0 all-time while hosting the Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena, and similarly, they have won four of eight contests in Toronto.
Amerks Notes: With a record of 42-27-1-0 and 85 points, Rochester is currently second in the North Division, one point ahead of Hamilton and nine points back of a hot Manitoba team that has lost just three games in regulation in its last 24 games. Amerks center Kamil Kreps is on a two-game goal-scoring streak and now has 12 goals and 16 assists in 47 games for the Amerks this season. Right winger Mark Mancari has eight points (2+6) in his last six games. With the recall of Janis Sprukts to Florida, Mancari now leads the Amerks in goals (20), assists (26) and points (46). Goalkeeper Adam Dennis has picked up wins in four of his last six starts and is now 15-15-0 on the season with a .891 save percentage and a 3.35 goals-against average.
Amerks Player Moves: This week, the Amerks have received three players, while losing goaltender Adam Berkhoel and center Janis Sprukts to a reassignment and an NHL recall, respectively.
On March 26th, the Florida Panthers placed goaltender David Shantz with the Amerks, while the Buffalo Sabres reassigned Berkhoel to Dayton (ECHL). Shantz's reassignment to Rochester was his first of the season. This season, the Hamilton, Ontario, native has played in 23 games with the Everblades and has a 13-7-1 record, 2.96 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. Shantz was assigned to Florida after attending the Amerks' 2006-07 training camp. The 20 year old was the Florida Panthers' second-round pick (37th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
The Panthers kept the transaction wires busy, as they recalled Sprukts and reassigned right winger Rob Globke to Rochester on March 27th. Globke returns to Rochester after spending the past four weeks with the Panthers. The recall was his second of the season. During his stint with Florida, the Minnesota native played in 12 games, picking up his first NHL point/assist on March 20th against the Philadelphia Flyers. Globke has appeared in 19 total games this season with the Panthers organization. The University of Notre Dame graduate has 12 points (4+8) in 38 games this season for Rochester.
Toronto Notes: Tonight's contest kicks off a six-game road trip for the Marlies, who are 5-2-0 in their last seven games. With an overall record of 28-35-2-4 and 62 points, Toronto is sixth in the North Division, and 12th in the Western Conference. Despite their humble position in the standings, the Marlies bring a host of talent to the ice. Erik Westrum leads Toronto's offense with 23 goals and 34 assists for 57 points in 65 games. At the backend, goaltender Justin Pogge has eaten up a majority of the minutes between the pipes, posting a 15-22-1 record, a 3.12 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage. Right winger Brett Engelhardt is currently on a two-game point streak (1+4), and posted his first four-point performance on March 25th, as the Marlies knocked off Grand Rapids, 5-3.
Next Game: The Amerks will host the Marlies in game two of their two-game series on Friday, March 30th. The game, which is slated to start at 7:35 p.m., will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks, and will be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2007
- Admirals Hit Century Mark - Norfolk Admirals
- Griffins Take Down Admirals in Shootout, 3-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Norfolk Takes 6-2 Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- Monarchs Three-Game Streak Snapped By Pirates - Manchester Monarchs
- Devils Take Down Falcons, 4-2 - Albany Devils
- Defenseman FitzGerald Reassigned to Alaska - Peoria Rivermen
- Defenseman Murray Signed to Amateur Try-Out Contract - Peoria Rivermen
- Canucks Recall Tremblay - Manitoba Moose
- Capitals sign Joudrey to entry-level contract - Hershey Bears
- Monarchs Sign Likens - Manchester Monarchs
- Rochester hosts Toronto tonight - Rochester Americans
- DCU to host Sharks Street Brigade Saturday - Worcester Sharks
- Columbus Reassigns Walser to Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
- Sean Corner Benefit Night this Friday - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Wolf Pack Defeat Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- LaBarbera For MVP - Manchester Monarchs
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Phantoms To Hold Umberger Bobblehead Night - Adirondack Phantoms
- Trio Racks Up Points - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolves Playoff Tickets on Sale Friday - Chicago Wolves
- Schwarz Assigned from the Blues - Peoria Rivermen
- Falcons sign Jacob Micflikier to ATO - Springfield Falcons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
