Rochester Americans

Here’s some “fun facts” I guess you could call them about the last time certain things were achieved by or against the Rochester Americans. 

A few items that stick out more than others: The last Amerk to get a hat-trick at Blue Cross arena was Stefan Meyer on December 16, 2006, nearly two years ago.  Scott McCrory was the last Amerk to score four goals in one game over 18 years ago on November 3, 1990.  It’s been less than a year since an opposing player has scored four goals against us.

One item I’ll add of my own: The Amerks have not been shutout yet this season!

Amerks had a shutout:

• Home: Mike Brodeur vs Albany River Rats, 12/07/08 (game No. 24), 4-0
• Away: Adam Dennis @ Toronto, 2/2/08 (game No. 51), 3-0

Amerks were shutout:

• Home: Karl Goehring, Syracuse, 4/11/08 (game No. 78), 0-4
• Away: Dan LaCosta @ Syracuse, 3/14/08 (game No. 365), 0-3

Amerks win in overtime:

• Home: vs Albany, 2/20/08, (game No. 58), 2-1 (Anthony Stewart)
• Away: @ Lake Erie, 3/20/08, (game No. 67), 5-4 (David Brine)

Amerks lose in overtime:

• Home: vs Chicago, 11/14/08, (game No. 14), 2-3 (Brett Sterling)
• Away: @Binghamton, 3/15/08, (game No. 66), 3-4 (Greg Maulding)

Amerks win in shootout:

• Home: vs Binghamton, 3/30/08 (game No. 73), 4-3 (GWG: Clarke MacArthur, Goalie: Adam Dennis)
• Away: @Hamilton, 11/9/07 (game No. 16), 5-4 (GWG: Mark Mancari, Goalie: Adam Dennis)

Amerks lose in shootout:

• Home: vs Lake Erie, 1/25/08 (game No. 48), 3-4 (Goalie: Tyler Plante)
• Away: @ Toronto, 11/30/08 (game No. 22), 3-4 (Goalie: Justin Pogge)

Amerks player to scoreless tie:

• Home: Martin Biron (Rochester) vs Norm Maracle (Adirondack), 11/10/97 (game No. 12), 0-0
• Away: Dave Littman (Rochester) @ Stephan Fiset (Halifax), 11/20/91 (game No. 16), 0-0

Amerks player scored a hat-trick:

• Home: Stefan Meyer vs Binghamton, 12/16/06 (game No. 27)
• Away: Mike Ryan @ Syracuse, 2/17/07 (game No. 53)

Opposing player scored a hat-trick:

• Home: Brad Richardson, Lake Erie, 4/13/08 (game No. 80)
• Away: Corey Locke, @ Hamilton, 4/9/08 (game No. 77)

Amerks player scored four goals:

• Home: Scott McCrory vs Adirondack, 11/3/90 (game No. 12)
• Away: Ken Priestlay @ Newmarket, 3/10/89 (game No. 70)

Opposing player scored four goals:

• Home: Grant Potulny, Binghamton, 12/30/08 (game No. 34)
• Away: Grant Stevenson, Quad City, 1/20/08 (game No. 45)

Amerks player scored five goals:

• Home: Jason Pominville vs Cleveland, 10/21/05 (game #5)
• Away: Never

Amerks player scored on a penalty shot:

• Home: Thomas Vanek vs Hershey (Tom Lawson), 3/25/05 (game #70)
• Away: Jason Pominville @ Hamilton (Dan Ellis), 2/12/05 (game #54)

Opposing player scored on a penalty shot:

• Home: Tomi Maki, Quad City, (Adam Dennis), 1/23/08
• Away: Chirs Bourque @ Hershey, (Tyler Plante), 10/26/08

Amerks player failed on a penalty shot:

• Home: David Brine vs Toronto (Scott Clemmensen), 12/21/07
• Away: Kenndal McArdle @ Grand Rapids (Jimmy Howard), 11/29/08

Opposing player failed on a penalty shot:

• Home: Carl Corazzini, Grand Rapids (Adam Dennis), 3/21/08
• Away: Alexandre Bolduc @ Manitoba (Tyler Plante), 1/4/08

Amerks scored 10 or more goals:

• Home: vs Binghamton 12/16/06, 10-4
• Away: @ Baltimore, 3/3/97, 10-6

Amerks allowed 10 or more goals:

• Home: vs Syracuse, 4/6/08, 3-10
• Away: @ Syracuse, 11/5/94, 4-10

Amerks goalie scored a goal:

• Home: Never
• Away: Robb Stauber @ PEI, 10/9/95

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When Was the Last Time The Amerks…

Michal Repik quickly became one of my favorite players for the Amerks.  He has been a star on a team that hasn’t seen much light.  He is the Amerks’ scoring leader with six goals and eight assists in 24 games.

Only 23:53 into his NHL debut and he scored his first goal on a rebound shot from Ballard.  In only five minutes and thirty three seconds of ice time he already has shown he can make an impact at the NHL level.

He is really having a good debut game with two shots on goal with 6:44 of ice time with 10:00 left in the third period.

Tanner Glass is also playing in tonight’s game in Ottawa.  He had a “fight” with Neil.  I wouldn’t really call it an all out fight.  It was a pretty lame attempt on Tanner’s part.  But, at least he tried.

I hope to see Repik back in the Amerks’ lineup soon.  I want to see him go to the AHL All-Star game so I can see what he has to offer in that game.

As far as I am concerned, the Panthers can keep Tanner Glass.  He has been mostly invisible through the majority of the season unless the Florida Panthers’ brass is in the stands watching, then he suddenly has energy and wants to fight people.

The Panthers are now going into overtime with the Senators.  They didn’t play Repik at all but the Panthers won when Micheal Frolik stole the puck at center ice and got it to Weiss who connected with a great shot with under a minute left in overtime.

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Repik A Good Match For The NHL

On Saturday morning at the end of practice, Benoit Groulx let newcomer Mike Brodeur know that he would be getting his first start tonight at home against the Albany River Rats. 

Brodeur was signed to a 25-game PTO on Thursday from the defunct Augusta Lynx.

The distant cousin of Devils goalie Martin Brodeur could be our only hope at this point.

On Friday night, the Amerks lost 4-1 against the Iowa Chops.  The team was slow out of the gate and it cost them big time.  The Iowa Chops scored only 28 seconds into the game. 

Less than seven minutes later with Jordan Henry in the pently box the Chops scored a power-play goal to make it a 2-0 game.  This threw the whole first period into a downward spiral.  They just couldn’t keep up with the Calder Cup Finalists (the Iowa Chops were the Portland Pirates of last season).

Thankfully, the Amerks will have two of our top points leaders in Janis Sprukts and Kenndal McArdle back in the lineup after short call ups to the Florida Panthers.

Sprukts had been called up on Saturday morning, he played in the Panthers loss against the Bruins on Saturday and had 12:19 of ice time with one shot on goal.  Kenndal McArdle put in 11:08 of ice time during the same game as well as one shot along with a tripping penalty.

It appears as if Mike Duco will still be out of the lineup with a groin injury.  He’s been one of our hardest working forwards, too bad others have not been able to play the same way.

Let’s hope some players who have not been scoring find a way to do so and newcomer Brodeur is just like his distant cousin and stops just everything fired his way.

The River Rates are currently 6-2-1-1 in their past 10 games.

The Amerks are 1-7-02 during their last 10 games.

Randall Gelech has yet to produce.  When he was signed a week and a half ago, this quote was in Kevin O’s blog:

“I was playing good minutes, playing a lot, and then in one game against Rochester I played a realy strong game but I took three penalties that cost us,” Gelech recalled. “The next day I was on the fourth line and it went downhill from there.”

Sounds like he was the guy really needed to improve things!

Let’s just hope the team doesn’t take on a 10-game losing streak like they did last December.  If we can squeeze out two wins this month, it would be considered an improvement!

If anything, you’re almost guaranteed to see Riley Emmerson drop the gloves during the game.  As we were promised early in the season, “they guaranteed at least one rollover on race nights,” and we’ve been getting it.

I’ve tried to paint a good picture for tonights game but am not finding a way, let’s hope I’m completely wrong and things turn out much different than expected.

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Game Day 12/7/08: Brodeur to Start Against River Rats

The American Hockey League has announced that 2009 AHL All-Star Classic Fan Balloting presented by Reebok will begin tomorrow (Monday, December

at noon EST, exclusively on the official Web site of the AHL, theahl.com

Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the most deserving AHL players by visiting theahl.com and completing the official Reebok AHL All-Star Fan Ballot. The players receiving the most votes by position will earn berths in the starting lineups of both the Canadian AHL All-Star team and the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, to be held Jan. 25-26 in Worcester, Mass.

A committee of AHL coaches will select the remaining All-Stars, and all 29 clubs will be represented on the final rosters.

Which raises the question, who from the Rochester Americans should be represented at this years All-Star Classic?

The top two choices at this point would be Michal Repik, Janis Sprukts, or Jason Garrison.  Repik would probably be the top choice since he currently leads the team with 14 points (six goals, eight assists).  Janis Sprukts isn’t too far behind with 10 points (four goals, six assists).

Depending on the rest of the roster, if they’re short on defense the pick would go to Jason Garrison.  He has 10 points as well (two goals, eight assists).  He’s currently ranked 38th amongst defenseman in scoring, and his -14 rating probably won’t work in his favor.

If it were not for the fact that every team gets represented, many would argue that the worst team in the league doesn’t have any “all-stars.”

So, who do you think should represent the Amerks at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic?

Clarke MacArthur had been picked last season to represent the Amerks but was replaced by Mark Mancari.  MacArthur was called up to the Sabres at the time of the game.  That worked out in favor of Mancari who entered the record books and Hockey Hall of Fame with his hardest shot in the skills competition.

We have our tickets for the festivities already, hopefully others are as well so we’re not the only two fans cheering on our player(s).

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2009 AHL All-Star Classic Voting; Which Amerk Should Represent the team?

The team had a short practice this morning as they prepared to take on the Iowa Chops tonight at Blue Cross Arena.  The Amerks are coming off of their most successful three days of the season last weekend when they collected two points beating the Lake Erie Monsters and gained another point in a loss to the Toronto Marlies in a shootout.

Jacob Micflikier is back after he was sent down to the Florida Everblades on November 22nd.  Micflikier has six points (1+5) in 13 games with the Rochester and 21 points (9+12) in just eight games with the Everblades.  Hopefully his burst of points with the Everblades continues up here.

The Amerks also signed goaltender Mike Brodeur to a 25-game Professional Tryout (PTO). The 25-year-old netminder appeared in eight games with Augusta Lynx of the ECHL to start the season, posting a 2-4-1 record with a 3.02 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.  His record does not seem that great, but he’s considered a great player who was on a really bad team.  Jack Birch said that he played very well in the games he was able to see him in, which earned him the PTO.

Noah Welch was also on the ice, he arrived in Rochester on Thursday evening.  He seems excited to be here and get the chance to play in “all situations.”  He hasn’t had much playing time with the Panthers, but is considered a solid defenseman.  He was paired up with Rory Fitzpatrick during practice.

David Shantz will be getting his fifth start of the season with the Amerks.

Other pairings to expect tonight:

Repik, Sprukts, Meyer

Gelech, Stewart, Micflikier

Brine, Glass, Collins

Larman, Emmerson, Sweetland

Fitzpatrick, Welch

Garrison, Ellerby

Caruso, Henry

Mike Duco has a groin injury and won’t be playing.. MacDonald and Aston are likely healthy scratches.

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Game Day Skate, Preparing for the Chops

The Rochester Americans Booster Club held their annual Meet the Players Dinner at the Carriage House in Chili on Wednesday night, it was a great way to get to know the team and meet other fans.

I wasn’t sure if I’d have a good time or not, but it was a lot of fun.  I had never been to one of these dinners, if you’re in the same boat as I was make sure to go the next time.  Also, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others, everyone is an Amerks fan.  The more we get involved the more I notice how close the community is in friendships and dedication.

The night started with a cocktail hour followed by a sit down buffet dinner.  The players were spread out around the room ensuring that no matter where you sat you would be nearby someone.

We sat next to Keaton Ellerby and Michael Repik, both are funny guys.  They kept us more than entertained throughout dinner.  Not much was actually discussed regarding the team on the ice.

At events like this many people seem to think that the players are either keeping to themselves, or not very friendly.. that may be the case with some, but you know more about them than they do about you so don’t be afraid to approach them to start a conversation.  You may quickly find that you have a lot to talk about, or reason to boo them even more if they continue ending up in the penalty box (Jordan Henry)!

Rory Fitzpatrick, Lewis Staats and Jason Cipolla thanked everyone for coming and stated that they believe the team has rounded a corner after a very bad start to the season.

Only comment I disagreed with was when Staats told the players that it’s “only a game, have fun.”  Actually, it’s their careers.  I tell my 4 1/2 year old “it’s only a game” when we’re playing Mouse Trap or Candy Land and he loses.

After dinner all of the players were introduced with a brief history of their career up until this point.  After that they all sat down so people could make the rounds getting autographs with them all at once.

After autographs, the rookies (most of the team) did their rookie dance.  Then people paid money to dance with their favorite players.  That just about ended the night.

The event was similar to last years, and probably all other years as well.  This was my first year going, and probably will continue going every year that my work schedule allows.

Not in attendance: Tanner Glass because he had an appearance for the Reading Power Play program.. Jody Gage and Benoit Groulx were in Elmira scouting the Everblades.. Dan Collins was sick.. and not sure where Curt Styres was.

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Booster Club Meet the Players Dinner

Shawn Matthias has been recalled by the Florida Panthers. Although Shawn hasn’t been playing exceptionally well with the Amerks, he also hasn’t had much talent on his wings to help him at all. Shawn has played all 19 games with the Amerks this season but only has four points (3 goals, 1 assist).

Shawn likes to give the opposing team the old razzle dazzle but hasn’t really been able to finish his plays as of yet. Hopefully, this trip to Florida is just what he needs to get back on track. He has so much talent, and I want to see him be able to play to his ability.

In his last game with the Amerks (Wednesday against the Toronto Marlies), Shawn played extremely well. As another Amerks’ fan who was in attendance pointed out, there were many plays he was a part of that could have ended much better with more talent beside him.

He made one defensive play that really stood out for me. He came all the way from behind the Marlies’ net to pick up a guy in the slot just as a pass was coming to that guy. It would have been a solid scoring opportunity if he didn’t tie up that player as well as he did.

He also cycled the puck very well in the Marlies’ end. He also consistently found “the open ice” in the offensive zone when he didn’t have the puck. Too bad that he didn’t receive many cycled or setup passes while in those positions. Can’t blame him for that.

I really hope the Panthers aren’t going to keep him all season like they are doing with Frolik.  Really, if Frolik were in Rochester with Matthias, I believe they would be lighting it up together.

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Shawn Matthias Recalled By Panthers

The team was schedule to have practice this morning at 11am, a better term would be that the team had a workout.  They spent 58 minutes on the ice without a single puck.

Benoit Groulx wasn’t kidding after Fridays game when he said that the team whole lot worse on Monday.

The only time Groulx addressed the players directly was to tell them to do push ups.

The last drill involved the players doing sprints from side to side followed by push ups.  One player stood out that appeared to have no issues leaving the ice, and that was Mike Duco.

Was going to take close pictures, but a courteous head shake from a player gave me the hint that it was not the time or place.

As practice ended the team was told to hit the gym this afternoon and be back on the ice at 4pm.  Whether they’ll practice with pucks, or get worked even harder is not known.

Whether it was that or something else, Rory Fitzpatrick was not happy leaving the ice as he slammed his stick against the boards and tossed it into section 123.

Before they all left the ice everyone gathered around center ice, in the middle was David Shantz who said a few words to everyone.  Not sure what was said as I ran out of time this morning, but we’ll try and find out.

Aside from Jacob Micflickier who is with the Florida Everblades, it appears that Drew Larman is injured as he was not on the ice.

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Amerks’ Monday Morning Workout

The Amerks put up a good fight, but couldn’t get past the Manchester Monarchs tonight.  They lost 4-2 to the Manchester Monarchs in a hard fought game.

Chris Beckford-Tseu started the night in goal even though I would have liked to see Shantz in from the beginning.  Chris was pulled in the first period after allowing two goals.  Once Shantz was in net, it was a whole different game.

I am not going to say the first two goals were completely Chris’s fault.  The first goal was scored when Jordan Henry took his 56,723rd hooking penalty of the season.  He was shortly joined in the box by Rory Fitzpatrick when he shot the puck out of the park while in the defensive zone for a delay of game penalty.

I don’t understand why Jordan Henry isn’t being penalized by the team for what he is doing.  He has played in only eight games and has already gotten 18 penalty minutes. 

If these penalties weren’t so stupid, I wouldn’t be so angry about it.  But, they are always hooking penalties (aside from the wonderful cross-checking penalty he took during Wednesday’s game…also brilliant).

Peter Aston could be playing in his spot.  I know some of you don’t think Peter would be a good addition to the roster right now, but let’s get serious here, Jordan is putting us shorthanded at least twice a game.

I digress…

The Amerks were out-shot 20 to 5 in the first period.  What a wreck.  We were shorthanded for just about half of the first period.  So, that certainly wasn’t helpful to anyone.  The penalty kill can only do so much before they are so tired they can’t move anymore.

In the second period, things really picked up.  Dan Collins showed he really doesn’t want to be moved to the ECHL just yet by scoring back-to-back goals for the Amerks.  He was named the second star of the game for the night.

In the third period, the Monarchs took the lead once again when Shantz let in his only goal of the night.  It was once again scored when the Monarchs were on a 5-on-3 powerplay again.  Franklin MacDonald took a pretty bad hooking call, followed once again by a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck out of the defensive zone. 

This time it was Keaton Ellerby who got the second penalty.  He was close to hitting the glass at least.

The Monarchs were once again on the powerplay later in the period when Mike Duco caught a breakaway.  He absolutely had the goalie eating out of his hands but dinged it off the post.  An inch to the left and it would have been tied.  I’m sure he is hating himself about that one now.

The last goal was a crazy empty net goal scored while the Monarchs were shorthanded.  Garrison was covering the whole blue line by himself while Rory pinched up to the net.  Monarchs’ goaltender Jonathan Quick made a save and Andrew Campbell flung it up the ice where he got lucky and it landed just inside the right post.

The Amerks have a few days off now to get themselves into shape for the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday morning at the Riccoh Centre.  Our family will be going up for the game, so expect a good report.  I say good because I plan to see the Amerks win with the return of Karl Stewart.

Never in my life did I think I would want a Stewart to return, but Karl is no lazy Anthony.

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Amerks Continue Their Losing Streak…Lose To Manchester

Tonight the Amerks take on the Manchester Monarchs at 7:35 p.m.  The Monarchs are 4-6-0-3.  They are almost dead last in their division, with only the lol Devils behind them.  Maybe we can squeak out a solid win tonight to move ahead of the Houston Aeros and not be the complete joke of this league.

Chris Beckford-Tseu is getting the start in net tonight.  The game on Wednesday night is “being left behind” by the team, so he’ll get another chance tonight.  It’s apparent he is the goalie the team is still hoping to rely on.

The atmosphere at practice this morning seemed to reflect that of what’s going on everywhere else.  We knew what happened around this time last year effected the players, looks like we’re right back in the same position.  Especially when your boss tells the world you are the problem.

The difference this year though is that Benoit Groulx won’t let the players stop caring or putting in a solid effort, Randy Cunneyworth did last season.

What a bright outlook on the game tonight!  We’re always optimistic about the game, we just need to not committ dumb penaltie, and keep the puck out of our own end.  The defense needs to step up their game to be able to give the offense some opportunities.

Janis Sprukts and Andrew Sweetland are questionable for tonight.  Karl Stewart is still expecting to return on Wednesday against the Marlies.

It’s going to be 25 degrees tonight with a little bit of snow, nothing that will impact driving.  Not too bad.  Come down and see the guys.  They seem to like to beat teams who are from a long distance away from here.  So, tonight would be the night…right?

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Gameday 11-21-2008: Amerks vs Manchester Monarchs