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February (Page 2)

Archive for February, 2009

Keaton Ellerby Assists on Rampage Game Winning Goal

February 9, 2009 - By

The Rochester Americans finally had the chance to climb out of last place in the league on Sunday, but they failed in a 2-1 loss against the San Antonio Rampage. The Amerks are only trailing the 28th place Springfield Falcons by one point in the standings. The Falcons lost earlier in the day against the Binghamton Senators, a win and the Amerks would have finally climbed out of the cellar.

Based on the way they played the team probably deserves to be in last place.

There was no scoring in the first period, but the Amerks did manage to out shoot the Rampage 12-6 with two power play opportunities.  Many of those 12 shots were quality shots, but none were able to find the back of the net.

Riley Emmerson and Francis Lessard dropped the gloves at 2:39 of the first period [watch video], it was a quick fight with about a dozen punches thrown by each before Lessard tossed Emmerson to the ice.  Both players had their helmets on the entire time, which was probably because AHL President and CEO David Andrews was in attendance at the game.

We saw great hustle out of Rory Fitzpatrick who [...]Read More

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Riley Emmerson vs Francis Lessard Fight Video

February 8, 2009 - By

Only 2:36 into Sundays game Riley Emmerson of the Rochester Americans dropped the gloves and exchanged about a dozen punches with Francis Lessard of the San Antonio Rampage.  Each player kept their helmets on the entire time, more than likely due to the fact that AHL League President and CEO David Andrews was in attendance at the game.  Fighting in hockey is set to become a topic of discussion over the summer.

I’ll have more on the topic of fighting in the next day or two.

Jordan Henry and Adam Keefe exchanged a few punches in the second period as well, but we weren’t able to get any footage – wouldn’t have been worth the upload time anyways.

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Rochester Americans Live on the NHL Network

February 7, 2009 - By

If you’re not going to the game, and have the NHL Network, make sure to set your DVR to record the Rochester Americans vs Binghamton Senators Saturday afternoon at 2pm.  This is the fifth consecutive season that NHL Network has televised games from the AHL, most recently having provided live coverage of the entire 2008 Calder Cup Finals last spring.

Saturdays game will be the fourth of eight meetings between the non-divisional rivals this season and can be heard live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTK, whtk.com, AHL Live, and as noted above the NHL Network. Rochester looks for its first win of the season against the B-Sens after coming up winless and being outscored 11-4 in the three previous encounters. Rochester is 19-26-4 lifetime against the Sens.

The Amerks were selected to have three of their games as part of the six game package.

February
· Saturday, Feb. 7 – Binghamton @ Rochester at 2:00 p.m. ET

March
· Saturday, Mar. 7 – Rochester @ Lake Erie at 1:00 p.m. ET
· Friday, Mar. 13 – Toronto @ Rochester at 7:30 p.m. ET
· Sunday, Mar. 22 – Grand Rapids @ Lake Erie at 5:00 p.m. ET
[...]Read More

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Riley Emmerson vs Sean McMorrow Fight Video

February 5, 2009 - By

As expected, Riley Emmerson and former Amerk Sean McMorrow dropped the gloves the second the puck hit the ice on Wednesday night.  This is Emmersons first year in the American Hockey League and he continues to square off against any of the known “heavyweights” he plays against.  Many had questions about Emmerson, but he continues to stand up against others and he can also play hockey.  On the flip side, the opposition he fought against earlier in the game sits and keeps the bench warm.

Another great quality of Emmerson is that he very rarely takes any undisciplined penalties.  It’s hard to imagine that with all of the fights he has been in, he still has fewer penalty minutes than Jordan Henry.

Apologies about the poor quality of the video, YouTube does not seem to be recognizing that it’s a higher quality and providing that option.

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Amerks Lack of Effort Could Be the Issue

February 5, 2009 - By

The Rochester Americans were defeated by the final score of 2-1 at Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday night against the Rockford IceHogs, one of the top teams in the league.  The Amerks lone goal was scored with 50 seconds left in the game, too little too late.

The penalty kill was the shining moment of the game, they held the ‘Hogs scoreless on all five power play opportunities.  The IceHogs had a five minute power play and were only able to get off one shot on net.  They also killed off a 5 on 3.  Unfortunately the power play for the Amerks was 0 for 5, one area that has been aweful all season.

Here’s a quote from head coach Benoit Groulx at the end of his 65 second post game press conference:

“What I didn’t like was we didn’t play as a team. We lost this game because we had three-quarters of the team showing up and the other quarter were passengers.  And that pissed me off.  Thank you.”

That was pretty much it.  This is not the first game he has shared comments like this.

The locker room cleared out pretty quick, whatever he said in that locker [...]Read More

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Plante Returns; Tuesday Morning Practice and Injury Updates

February 3, 2009 - By

Good morning from the spacious Blue Cross Arena for the Rochester Americans Tuesday morning practice, this place feels like the worlds best hockey arena after watching so many practices recently at the igloo known as ESL Centre.

The Amerks are back on the ice preparing for Wednesday nights game against the Rockford IceHogs.  Former Amerk Sean McMorrow is playing for the IceHogs, possible first period bout for Emmerson?  We’ll have to wait and see!

The groin injury suffered by Mike Brodeur does not appear to be too serious.  With any luck a miracle will happen and he’ll fully recover in time for the teams long road trip next week.  The team won’t be taking any chances in rushing his return to the ice.  The doctors as well as Brodeur will have to have full confidence that his groin is healed, it’s not an injury a goalie can return from and not be at 100%.

Tyler Plante has been called up from the Dayton Bombers for the second goaltender.  Whether that means he’ll be the backup to Beckford-Tseu, or Beckford-Tseu will be backing him up is unclear.  Our bet is on Tyler Plante making the start, it’ll be his opportunity to [...]Read More

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Mike Brodeur Suffers Groin Injury in Loss to Grand Rapids

February 1, 2009 - By

According to a report in the Grand Rapids Press, Rochester Americans goaltender Mike Brodeur injured his groin and left  the game after the first period of play during the Rochester Americans 8-4 loss to the Grand Rapids.  He played the entire first period, so we’re hoping that after the first it was determined he should give the groin a rest.

As soon as we hear or read anything about his status we’ll post an update.

Goaltender Mike Brodeur, who has started 21 of the last 24 games for Rochester, boasts a 13-5-2 record in 21 games for the Amerks. His 2.16 goals-against average and .931 save percentage currently rank him second among AHL netminders in both goaltending categories, respectively. Further, his two shutouts tie him for fourth in the league.

There is no doubt about it that Brodeur has been the one shining moment for this Amerks season, if it’s anything severe let’s hope that Jack Birch and Jody Gage have another road to travel to find someone as awesome as him.

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Amerks Split Weekend In Grand Rapids

February 1, 2009 - By

The Amerks played two games this weekend against the hot and high scoring Grand Rapids Griffins.  The team won in a shootout on Friday night, and lost tonight 8-4.

Tonight’s issues weren’t scoring goals, but stopping them.  After the first period, the score was 1-1.  But, when the second period started, Mike Brodeur did not get back into the crease.  Once Chris Beckford-Tseu went into the net, he let in 7 goals in 31 shots.

Mike Brodeur suffered a groin injury and left the game after the first period.

It was thought we would have no scoring this weekend with most of our “big” scorers either hurt or M.I.A.  With Janis Sprukts playing for his country (as he should be), and injuries to Meyer (knee), McArdle (shoulder), and MicFlikier (foot), most of our scoring was down the drain.

But, when some are down, others rise to the occassion.  Tonight, the usually laughable Drew Larman picked up a goal to tie the game 2-2.  That was the Amerks’ second of three comebacks during the game.

New left wing, Ross Carlson had the third goal for the Amerks, once again tying tonight’s game 3-3.  Ross was also the only player to score in [...]Read More

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