Manitoba Moose

With Sean Avery in the line-up for the first time, the Hartford Wolf Pack lost 4-1 to the Manitoba Moose. Three days ago, the Wolf Pack, without Sean Avery, lost 4-2 to the Moose.

Despite the loss, Moose coach Scott Arniel complimented Avery, saying it was easy to spot an NHL quality player on the AHL ice, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

The victory finished the four-game regular season series between the Moose and the Wolf Pack. Manitoba went 3-1-0-0 versus Hartford. Manitoba improved to 19-4-0-3 on the road this season, which works out to a remarkable .788 winning percentage playing away from home. Manitoba owns the best record in the AHL at 37-14-0-5.

In tonight's game, the Moose led 1-0 at the end of the first period, went up 2-0 at the start of the second, and Hartford finally got on the scoreboard in the start of the third. The Moose added two more for the victory.

Karl Goehring had 24 saves for the Moose. Miika Wiikman stopped 24 shots for the Wolf Pack.

The game attracted 5,899 fans, which is 2,055 above the Wolf Pack's average attendance, according to the Hartford Courant.

Avery appeared in his first competitive hockey game in two months. He got lots of ice time, had three shots on goal, and was involved in two minor scrapes.

He was challenged on just his second shift by Manitoba defenseman Nathan McIver, but before Avery could fight back, Wolf Pack teammate Jared Nightengale stepped in, according to the Daily News.

Wolf Pack fans wearing Avery's No. 16 Rangers jersey, didn't have to wait long for the great agitator to mix it up, according to the Hartford Courant.

After entering the game 1:24 in, and then spending another short stint on the bench, Avery was soon involved in a scuffle behind the Manitoba net with defenseman Nathan McIver.

With 2:24 remaining in the second period, according to AP, Avery was quick to come to the defense of his new teammates, thrusting himself into the middle of another fracas behind the Moose net, and trading shoves with several Manitoba skaters.

Many fans wore their favorite Sean Avery jerseys and some even made signs to celebrate his appearance as a member of the AHL's Wolf Pack, according to Newsday.

Avery was used on the power play and penalty-kill units. He had 19 shifts and played a little less than 24 minutes. The play of the night from Avery came during the first period when he made a great no-look pass from behind the goal line to a trailing teammate.

Avery was involved in scuffles all night, but kept his composure and didn't throw a punch. He chirped at a Moose defenseman after a second-period skirmish and then skated away with a mischievous smile.

It was the first time Avery had played in a hockey game since Nov. 30.

Sean Avery is expected to play his first game with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL on Saturday when they play the Manitoba Moose.

The Dallas Stars assigned Avery to the American Hockey League team on Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, a Wolf Pack spokesman said on Friday that the team plans to use Avery when the New York Rangers' affiliate hosts Manitoba on Saturday night.

Sean Avery was in the building for the Wolf Pack's last game, to watch his new team, The Hartford Courant has reported. Hartford lost to the Manitoba Moose, 4-2.

Two months after being suspended for the now notorious comments concerning the love life of an opponent, Avery will be back on the ice.

Avery was assigned to the New York Rangers AHL affiliate on February 9 and has practiced with the team twice. He also did extra skating drills with Wolf Pack coaches Ken Gernander, J.J. Daigneault, and Pat Boller, according to Sportsnet.com.

Avery served the league-issued suspension but was not welcomed back to the Stars' lineup upon completion. Instead he was forced to undergo counseling.

The Wolf Pack play the Manitoba Moose at home on Saturday.

In their last meeting Michael Grabner of the Moose scored a pair of goals -- including the game-winner with 96 seconds remaining in regulation -- to lead the Manitoba Moose to a 4-2 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack at XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Hartford, Conn.

Grabner, who has been trying to help Austria qualify for the 2010 Olympics at a tournament in Hanover, Germany, now has a team-high 21 goals this season.

The Moose improved their record to 36-14-0-4, good for first place in the North Division of the AHL. The Wolf Pack is 27-21-0 and in third place in the Atlantic Division.

Avery will be playing against a former teammate from his Jr. A days with the Owen Sound Platers. Curtis Joseph now plays goal for the Moose.

Avery will be reunited with Brandon Sugden on the Wolf Pack. Avery practiced on a line with Hartford's "enforcer", according to The Syracuse Post-Standard.

Avery and Sugden are both from the Toronto area and were friends when they were young.  Brandon "Sugar" Sugden is banned for life from the ECHL.

He has played for the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL, the London Knights, Sudbury Woves, and Barrie Colts of the OHL, The Dayton Bombers and Tallahassee Tiger Sharks of the ECHL, and the Verdun Dragons of the QSPHL.

He is 6'4", weighs 231, and is a boxer as well as a hockey player, according to his website.

The Amerks have already played the Manitoba Moose four times this season, which has resulted in four of eleven losses, and being outscored 17-4.  The Rochester Americans just can’t seem to get the puck in the net to keep themselves in games, or try and make a comeback to win some games.  The loss drops the Amerks record down to 2-11.  On the bright side, we haven’t been shut out yet!

“We had a good start, we were matching them, and obviously a good team finds a way to win,” Benoit Groulx said after the game.

The Amerks did start the game well.  The first Moose goal was scored by Jason Jaffrey as he seemed to skate untouched right on towards the net where he put the puck away.  Janis Sprukts seemed to be slowing into the play and just let Jaffrey squeeze right by.

Mike Duco responded about seven minutes later to tie the game at one a piece.  Michal Repik followed the puck behind the net and was able to pass it out to a rushing Mike Duco who managed the Amerks lone goal of the night against Karl Goehring.

The next two goals were ones that a seasoned team never would have allowed, not only in goal but defense as well.  Groulx commented, “two bad goals from sharp angles that should not have gone in.”

The first of those two goals was the game winner when James Neal took a shot from the glove side of Beckford-Tseu and managed to get it over his right arm.

Those three goals were in the first period.

Jason Jaffrey tallied his second of the net to make it a 3-1 game at 17:56 of the second period.  This was the second goal scored from a sharp angle.  This goal was scored for a similar reason to the first from the Moose, poor coverage allowed the player to just make the goal look so easy.  Jaffrey scored off of an easy rebound offered up by Beckford-Tseu.  This goal was the result of Keaton Ellerby standing by as Jaffrey easily grabbed the rebound and put it away.  The shot was taken at such an angle that Beckford-Tseu should’ve been able to stop it, but Ellerby never should have let the play get to that point.

At that point the score was 4-1 in the third period and the team really started to fall apart.

“I thought we stopped playing after the 4th goal and that is unacceptable.  Even after your down you have to show up, more passion, obviously that was not the case and that disappoints me,” said Groulx.

Rory Fitzpatrick said, “It really it is what is right now i guess, you can point the finger wherever you want right now but we just have to play better.  Can come in here and say it’s out worked, out played whatever, we have to stay positive, its tough right now.”

The team is not only having issues when they’re even strength, but they also need to take every chance they can get even on the power play, which isn’t happening.

“Not able to manufacture anything from our power play even when we had chances, couldnt even get the puck in or get the right shot,” said Groulx.

We’re expecting to see that worked on a lot more during practices.

The Moose put the nail in the coffin with a fifth and short handed goal by Guillaume Desbiens at 15:01 of the third period.

Chris Beckford-Tseu stopped 20 of 25 shots in the game.  He made a number of big saves, but clearly not enough to win.

Tyler Plante packed his equipment as he was sent to the Dayton Bombers and David Shantz is on his way to Rochester.  We’re not quite sure how replacing a goalie with another goalie that’s similar is going to help.

Another thing that needs to be worked on during practice is keeping your stick on the ground.  The Manitoba Moose went 1/5 on the power play.  The Amerks were called for seven penalties, five of which were for hooking.  Some of those were definately penalties, but some of the Moose players also deserve an acting award.  Being called for five hooking penalties is reckless.

Tanner Glass and Darryl Bootland entertained us all with a decent fight in the second period, we’ll have the video posted shortly.

It was an announced crowd of 2,586 but I can’t imagine more than 900 were in the building.  Even though Tuesday is Veterans Day and a holiday, unless you’re a government worker, you probably still have to work.  A much better idea would’ve been scheduling the game for during the day on Veterans Day, as a few other teams around the AHL have done.

Besides the third period, it wasn’t quite as ugly of a game as Friday.  It wasn’t nearly as great as Saturday.  I’d like to say progress is being made, but unless we win it’s a futile effort.

The Amerks next game is Friday night at Blue Cross Arena against the defending Calder Cup Champion Chicago Wolves.

Injury Update:

Tanner Glass appeared to have strained his shoulder, he left the game towards the end of the third period.  He said nothing is torn and it doesn’t seem too serious.

Karl Stewart warmed up on the ice Monday morning, and said he’s going to continue to put more pressure on his knee daily.  When I asked him if he’d be back for the game against the Wolves on Friday he didn’t seem so sure.

Michael Caruso has an injured shoulder as well, no updates on his status though.

Post from: Lets Go Amerks - Rochester Americans

Amerks Defeated by the Moose Yet Again

Karl Stewart is out on the ice taking some shots today.  Not game ready though…he is in his warmup pants.  I expect him to be ready for Friday’s game.  But, that’s just me.

Jack Birch is here watching the team.  I sure hope he doesn’t think because we played one good game on Saturday that we are fine and just need more time to work on our problems.  Come on Jack…it’s overhaul time.  Instead of watching practice, why don’t you get on the phone and make some calls right now.  Everyone’s agents are working by 10 a.m.

Riley Emmerson continues to impress me with his work ethic.  You can tell he doesn’t just want to sit there and be a goon.  He is working hard to get himself onto the 4th line and get some ice time.  We saw him getting more ice time on Saturday and he didn’t screw up royally.  We asked Benoit Groulx about Emmerson getting more ice time, of course he stated the obvious that it depends how the game itself is going.  ”His role is to have a presence, but as he improves his skating and continues to check more he’ll earn chances at more ice time.  He’s still getting used to playing at this level, it’s taking time but he’s working hard,” Groulx said.

Emmerson played better on Saturday than Dan Collins did on Friday against the Moose…which reminds me…why is Dan Collins still on our roster.

Dan Collins, to me at least, is the biggest waste of roster space we have.  When he actually plays, he screws the pooch every time he touches the puck.  I remember last season when in the first five or so games, I thought he was going to be the rookie of the year.  He came out so strong…then disappeared off the face of the earth.  He did have a back injury last season that may have never cleared up.  But, he still doesn’t belong here.

The Amerks currently have an abundance of players, especially on defense with nine players.  Benoit said, “there’ll be changes very soon.”  I would expect Dan Collins to be on the chopping block along with Brady Calla, Luke Beaverson, Franklin MacDonald and maybe Andrew Sweetland.

I want to see more of the Janis Sprukts I saw on Saturday night.  That’s the guy I remember from two season’s ago.  All over the place…hitting anything in a green jersey, being the guy the team has been waiting for.  This is obviously the first time this season he has been completely healthy.  He had an injury during the preseason that never went away.  He is currently chugging down the ice like a train.  No one can stop him.  I forgot how fast he is.  Stefan Meyer is always happy to talk about Sprukts.  You mention his name around Meyer and his face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning.  “Sprukts is just a very smart player,” Meyer said.

Meyer said that he is feeling great now, and he looked it during practice today and on the ice on Saturday night.  Back to the form I like to see out of him.  I have high expectations for Meyer, so when he doesn’t perform I get rather aggitated.  “We need to play more like we did on Saturday night and not change a thing,” Meyer also commented.

Everyone on the ice seems to be in a fairly good mood today after a good solid win on Saturday against the Houston Aeros.  That win can go a long way for a team like this.  Giving them more confidence in themselves and each other.  Hopefully, that win is going to transfer into tonight’s game against the Moose.  I know that if whoever is in net can pull off some good saves, the Amerks can walk away from tonight with a win.

The defensemen are working on their shots from the point.  Groulx is working with them and tossing pucks that them from everywhere.. slow moving.. off the boards.. from behind the net.. along the boards.. different than the usual pass pass shoot.  They need to not only keep it in, but make a fast transition to pass the puck to their defensive partner so they can get a clean shot off right away.

Defenseman and team captain Rory Fitzpatrick said that a little momentum is what a young team like this needs to get it going.  The win against the Flames wasn’t a pretty one.  The first solid win of the season was on Saturday night against a team that, on paper, should have rolled over our young, unexperienced team easily.

Mike Caruso wasn’t on the ice today because of a shoulder injury.  Look for O’Brien during the game to fill that void.

The Amerks take on the Manitoba Moose for the second time in four days tonight.  The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.  Tomorrow is Veterans’ Day so, let’s celebrate by watching some Americans’ hockey.

The Manitoba Moose arrived in Rochester on Thursday night, and expected controlled every aspect of the game on Friday night.  Chances are the Moose are going to roll right over Syracuse on Saturday, and return to hand the Amerks their 12th loss of the season on Monday night.  Throw in the towel, this season is done.

The final score of Friday nights game was 5-1.  The lone Amerks goal was scored as the puck ended up down low behind the net, Repik and McArdle worked hard getting it free when Matthias was able to stuff it into the net past Moose goalie Cory Schneider.

Aside from the goal by Matthias and the Riley Emmerson vs Guillaume Desbiens fight, this game was disgusting.

Tyler Plante started in goal but was pulled after only playing 12:39 of the first period and allowing three goals on eight shots.  In defense of Plante, a goalie can only do so much as his teammates in front of him are out of position and all over the ice allowing opposing players to skate freely.

This team is going to end the season even worst than last years did unless something changes.  Can anyone really imagine this team getting more than 20 wins at this point?  I’m being generous with 20, how about 10?

This team has only won ONE game out of ELEVEN and they have been outscored 53-22.  Not one single player has been signed to help this team.  Zero.  Nothing.

After losing all three games opening weekend a lot of people called for change.  Many more said, “let’s see what happens, it was only the first weekend.”  The following weekend came with another two losses, both against the Moose.  The same thing, wait and see.  Well, here we are a full month into the season and just as we think we’ve hit rock bottom, we sink even lower.

The players and coaching staff are putting in as much effort as they can, I really do believe that.  Benoit Groulx and Jason Cippola have given the players what is needed to win, but other teams are just better than us.  It’s obvious, and no one in management is doing anything about it.

If just one of these people - Alan Cohen, Jacques Martin, Jack Birch, Jody Gage, Lewis Staats, or Curt Styres cared about this team they’d be on a conference call demanding something be done.

Jack Birch should feel ashamed representing the Panthers as he watches this team, yet continues to give the “company line” to fans about “working hard to find some help.”  I should bring my Florida Panthers hat that arrived in the mail on Friday up to him and ask for a refund.

What’s the worst that can happen, you sign some kid from the ECHL, he sucks, and you get rid of him two days later?  It can’t be any worst than what’s going on now.

The only thing I can imagine at this point is that the Florida Panthers have no money.  If travel expenses are an issue, I’ll volunteer to go and pick up a player who is within a 5hr drive.

Maybe I’m wrong, maybe something is going on, no matter what it is I’m sure it’s not pretty and no one is saying anything

The bottom line is that this team has talent, but the combined talent of the entire team is not high enough to compete in the AHL.  I’m not going to call out any players, again I don’t think they deserve it at this point.  I’m sure many others disagree, but any anger or displeasure of the team should be directed at any one member of Amerks ownership or Panthers personel that is often seen around Blue Cross Arena.

The Amerks are back on the ice Saturday night against the Houston Aeros.  The Aeros are currently in second place with a record of 7-4 behind the Manitoba Moose.

Another home game in Rochester tonight.  The Amerks will take on the Manitoba Moose for the 3rd time this season.  In their first two meetings in Manitoba, the Moose won both games 3-1 and 4-1.  I would be hard pressed to find a person who doesn’t think this is going to happen again tonight.  But, you know me…Little Miss Sunshine.  I think the Amerks will get two points tonight.

I don’t know why I keep putting faith in these guys.  I think it has to do with my son loving them just as much as I do unconditionally.  It makes me think the same way.  But, I digress.

Lines for tonight look like this:

Meyer - Sprukts - Mikflikier
McArdle - Larman - Glass
Duco - Matthias - Repik
Emmerson - Brine - Collins/Calla

Henry - O’Brien
Caruso - Ellerby
Fitzpatrick - Garrison
-Aston (scratched) - Beaverson (scratched)
-MacDonald (scratched)

Tyler Plante
-Chris Beckford-Tseu

 

With Jordan Henry making his return tonight, he better show us that he is worth the roster spot.  At the end of last season, he was finally coming into his own and giving the other defensemen a run for their money.  If he can get right back on that horse today, he could find a regular spot, pushing his friend Franklin MacDonald to the bench.

Janis Sprukts, Stefan Meyer and Jacob Micflikier are at the drawing board making themselves some plays for tonight.  I think adding Jacob to the top line is a great idea.  He can score, he has proven that.  If he had been here since our first game, he would most likely be our points leader (I know, I know…it wouldn’t be hard to do that).

If the team doesn’t work together tonight to pull out a big win, I am going to be severely dissapointed.  I’m sure most of you wonder why I haven’t been dissappointed yet…well, last season I was just always mad that the team would only put in about five minutes of true playing at the end of each game.  This year our team is trying to win.  They just aren’t skilled enough when playing against veteran teams.  That isn’t the fault of the players.

The Rochester Americans start a six game home stand tonight against the Toronto Marlies, and concludes two weeks later on November 14th against the Chicago Wolves.  There will be no lack of tough games in the coming weeks.

Tonight the Amerks take on the Toronto Marlies for the first time this year.  The Marlies are 3-3-1 so far and have a superior team to ours.  If the Amerks want to win this game they are going to have to step it up a lot defensively to keep the puck away from our net for a while.  Hitting some people through the boards wouldn’t hurt either.  And let’s see Riley Emmerson get into another fight… at home… where the crowd can cheer him on!

Don’t forget that tonight is Halloween.  So, dress up, and come out and bring your kids to get some yummy candy during sweets in the suites.  Yum.

Tomorrow the Amerks take on the Hamilton Bulldogs for the first time of the season.  They are 5-2-1 and don’t look like they are going to slow down any time soon.  The game starts at 7:35 p.m.

On Friday, November 7th, the Manitoba Moose come into town to play the Amerks for the third time this season.  This game also starts at 7:35 p.m.  Manitoba has already beaten us twice this season.  They are 5-2-0 this season.

On Saturday, November 8th, the Houston Aeros will be flying in to play their only game in Rochester this season.  The game, once again, starts at 7:35 p.m.  The Aeros are 5-3-0 and are currently sitting at 3rd in the West Division.

After a short trip to Syracuse, the Manitoba Moose are back again on Monday, November 10th.  This game starts at 7:05 p.m.  For those of you who work for the government, you have Tuesday off for Veterans’ Day.  I know my father and at least 15 of his buddies from work will be at the game with my family and me.

The Amerks finish up their home stand against the defending Calder Cup Champions, the Chicago Wolves on Friday, November 14th.  This game, like all Friday and Saturday games, starts at 7:35 p.m.  The Wolves are defending their title well this season.  They are second in the West Division with a respectable 5-1-2 record.

There are many games to choose from, or go to them all.  I am very excited for a nice long home stand to get into.  Let’s all hope and pray that the Amerks can come out of it with some points added to their total for the year.

See you at the games!

Shawn Matthias was out on he ice today for his first non-game-day practice with the Amerks today.  People think he has been invisible in the very very short time he has been here, but let’s not forget that he just got to the team on the day of the first game.  He hasn’t had any chance to get on board with his teammates or line mates yet.  People need to give him a chance before they immediately toss him into the same group as Anthony Stewart and Clarke MacArthur (only interested in playing in the NHL, doesn’t do anything in the AHL).

Matthias isn’t very proud of the way he is being portrayed by the media so far this season, “There have been a few sites writing bad things about me already, I haven’t even gotten a point yet.” He did just arrive in Rochester Friday morning after finally being sent down from Florida, “Once I get to practice [more] with the team, I’ll start scoring goals, I know it.”

So, here we are at practice again. It’s nice to get down here once a week or so and see what the coaching staff has decided were the weakest points from the past weekend.  We are still being pleaged by a few injuries in our lineup.

Keaton Ellerby is on the ice, but still isn’t doing a full workout with the team.  When they rest of the team is going full contact, he stays at the other end of the ice just shooting pucks on the empty net.  Hoepfully, his finger is healing well and he can get back into it full throttle by the end of the week.

Jordan Henry and Stefan Meyer are still not practicing.  Meyer doesn’t expect to be back for a while.  Jordan did skate on the ice by himself today and expects to be back with the team soon.

Peter Aston and Neil Clark are not practicing today either.

Cipolla said he wants to hear everyone talking on the ice to help each other out.
They are working on forechecking (something that clearly needs to be worked on after this past weekend). Gametime situations. Ten players at a time doing each drill (not including the goalies obviously).

Everything seems to be about forechecking and moving the puck.  They are also working hard figuring out how to keep the puck in the zone and how to get it OUT of the zone quickly.  Last year, getting the puck out of our zone was a major problem and it looked like it was bleeding over into this season on Sunday when the team couldn’t get the puck over the blue line to save their lives.

I can just keep hearing Benoit say, “It’s not happening, it’s not happening,” as they run the forechecking drill over and over again.  This coach is not going to let them get away with mediocre playing.  They will continue working the same drill until everyone is getting it right and then even longer.

They didn’t do well enough during that drill in Benoit’s eyes.  They had to do extra skating because of it.

Cipolla is working with Matthias in the corner showing him how to really dig in there and get the puck out.

Drew Larman is working extremely hard.  He must have gotten our memo about not liking his lack of work ethic during training camp. He looks like he is trying to get that other “A” that hasn’t been given to a player yet (perhaps the coaching staff is waiting for Meyer to return from his injury?)

The defensemen seem to have been let go for the day while the forwards are all still working on keeping the puck away from the opponent.  They have to stay in the faceoff circle and keep that puck away.  It seems pretty elementary to most people, but our team needs this work.  If they don’t work hard enough, they do pushups.  No laziness tolerated this time around.

Both goalies are still working with the goalie coach.  Caruso, Garrison and Beaverson are helping out by taking some good slapshots from the point.  Garrison really has a blast on him.  He is going to be a force this season and I am really glad he is here, he is quickly becoming my favorite defenseman on the team.  Ellerby is in front of the net doing deflections and rebounds.  That is a better sign for his finger seeing as he was mostly JUST skating last week.

Once again the players had to be told to clear the ice.  I think they would stay out there all day if they could. Ellerby is still out with Cipolla doing more skating and puck-handling drills.  It’s still refreshing to see a player being held after practice to work on improving his skills.  That is something I never saw once last season.

They are going to need to continue to work this hard all week if they have hopes of beating a very tough team this weekend when they play the Manitoba Moose on Saturday and Sunday in Winnipeg.  The Moose are ranked number one in our division and are going to be very hard to defeat.  I’m sure it isn’t going to help that the Amerks are skating into the game 0-3 for the season.  Once you get in the mindset that you aren’t playing well, it’s hard to break out of it.  We fans all know about that though…

I have a good feeling that this weekend will be our weekend.  The week that our lines gell together and start really doing what they have the potential to do…score goals.

On the goaltending front, they need to be well prepared.  The Moose are not running short on players that can score goals.  So, Beckford-Tseu and Plante need to be on their toes 100% this weekend.  I am still hoping the signing of Beckford-Tseu wasn’t a mistake on the Panthers’ part.  Only time will tell, but we don’t have that much time.  The fans are already restless after last season and are NOT going to tolerate a losing team again.

Goaltenders:
1. Chris Beckford-Tseu
2. Tyler Plante

Defensive Pairings:

1. FitaPatrick - O’Brien
2. MacDonald - Garrison
3. Beaverson - Carusso

Lines:

1. Stewart - Sprukts - Repik
2. Glass - Larman - Calla
3. Duco - Matthias - Sweetland
4. Collins - Brine - McArdle

I like the way the first line looks.  Repik is a solid player and will only improve throughout the season.  Although, I don’t expect him to be on the line with Sprukts once Meyer returns.  While he is there, it should teach him a lot and give him an advantage over the other teams second and third lines.

Glass and Larman play really well together.  Calla looks like he is still trying to catch up with them.  I think he has more than enough potential, he just needs to find himself.

The defensive pairing of O’Brien and Fitzpatrick seems to be gelling together nicely.  They are really getting in sync with each other.

That is about it for today.  I am still more than excited about this season.  Watching these kids work as hard as they are everyday can only mean improvement.  There is no screwing around during practice this year and it seems like it is going to stay that way under the watchful eyes of Benoit.