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Christmas Is Over…Amerks Ready To Take On The Bulldogs 12-26-2008

December 26, 2008 - By

Janis Sprukts

Tonight, the Rochester Americans take on the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Blue Cross Arena.  The game starts at 7:35PM and should have a pretty good size crowd as the post Christmas game usually does.  Mike Broduer should be starting in goal tonight even after he slipped up during Sunday night’s game.

Stefan Meyer should be will likely be back on the ice (as he should have been in Sunday night).  Drew Larman and Randel Gelech should be scratched if you are scratching players based on who is producing the worst on the team.

Rory Fitzpatrick still isn’t practicing, but he is here working out.  He is currently out here on the bench with the team watching them work.  Remember that Rory should be returning on the team’s trip out to Manitoba.

Don’t miss tonight’s game.  It may be the loudest one of the year with a crowd expected of close to 8,000.

Tags: ι ι Categories: Amerks, Headlines

Amerks vs Lake Erie Monsters (LIVE Coverage)

December 19, 2008 - By

In the words of Major League’s Harry Doyle, “In case you haven’t noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven’t, the Amerks have managed to win a few games, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.”  The weather outside is frightful…so, I brought the laptop to the game so everyone at home who may not be listening can still get updates on the game.

The Amerks just killed off a penalty brilliantly.  The Monsters never really had a chance to get anything going.  Keaton Ellerby was called for tripping.  He hit the puck and the guy “fell” over his stick…so…whatever.

15:00 left in the first.

The Sprukts, Matthias, Repik line looks nice.  They have already made some good things happen.

12:41 Left in the first period and Riley Emmerson takes on a guy who looks just like Jesus.  It really isn’t nice to hit Jesus a few days before his birthday.  But, in this case, I will allow it.  It was pretty much a draw…but, Emmerson got a few good hits in there.  So, I call the fight in favor of Riley Emmerson.

Amerks on the powerplay.  Repik got hooked.  Nothing came from that [...]Read More

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Amerks Need To Beat Lake Erie

December 18, 2008 - By

Tomorrow night the Amerks take on the Lake Erie Monsters for the second time in two weeks.  They really need to, once again, get a solid win against the Monsters.  The Amerks are actually starting to catch up to them in the rankings and a win tomorrow could mean the task is easier than expected.

The Monsters are the team directly above the Amerks in the standings.  They have 24 points and the Amerks have 16.  One game against a division rival can mean 4 points in the standings very quickly.

The Amerks are working hard at practice again today.  The defensemen are looking really solid.  You can see the difference in Shawn Matthias.  He is far more confident in himself (at least in the practices I have seen him in so far), and he is moving against defensemen much better.

Repik is looking solid as well.  And when they are on the same line, it seems no defensemen has a chance against them.

Greg Classen is still not on the ice for the Amerks, so don’t be thinking you’ll see him in the lineup tomorrow night.  Because you won’t.  He has only been in one practice.  He [...]Read More

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Back To The Grind: Practice 12-17-2008

December 17, 2008 - By

 

After a well-deserved two day break, the Amerks are back on the ice today with a few additions.  Shawn Matthias and Michal Repik are back from their call-ups to the Florida Panthers.  They had great chemistry when playing together in Florida, I would like to see that transfer to the AHL.

One major piece missing from the puzzle today is Noah Welch who went back to Florida after the game on Sunday night.  His conditioning stint in Rochester is over and we will miss him.  Rory Fitzpatrick is also not skating.  As earlier reported, he is out after having a surgery to repair his meniscus.  He is, however, up and walking around.  And it was said that he should return for Christmas.

It’s interesting to watch the players shoot on both Mike Brodeur and Chris Beckford-Tseu.  Brodeur doesn’t let anything in, even during practice.  He looks like he has belonged here in Rochester his whole life.  Beckford-Tseu is looking…well, like Beckford Tseu.  He stops some good ones, he lets some in.  Hopefully, having a real number one goaltender will help Chris get better.

Mike said that he is actively seeking a contract here in Rochester.  He wants to [...]Read More

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Noah Welch Back To The Panthers

December 14, 2008 - By

Noah Welch

Noah Welch left the game tonight with all of his sticks and equipment in tow.  He has finished his conditioning stint in Rochester and will be leaving now back to Sunrise, Florida. 

Noah played in all seven games since being assigned to Rochester.  He had 3 assists while here.  We will miss him at practices…he really brought some of the defensemen along to where they needed to be.

This only further proves that the Amerks need to sign another veteran defenseman who can really help the kids.

Tags: ι ι Categories: Amerks

Amerks Scare the Monsters In Cleveland

December 13, 2008 - By

Only 13 seconds into the game, Stefan Meyer took on Nathan Smith of the Lake Erie Monsters.

Mike Caruso just gave the puck away right next to the net.  Lucky, Brodeur was ready and stopped the puck before anything bad could happen.  A breakaway was stopped by Keaton Ellerby…but, he also got called for hooking. 

Nice job by McArdle, followed his man stride for stride and stole the puck to send it down the ice.  David Brine is showing a great forecheck on the penalty kill.

Brodeur was way too far out of the net, which allowed Mike Vernace behind the net to pass to Chris Durn, who was skating in untouched and easily put it into an open net.

Second period, more of the same.. Amerks take it.. spin it off the boards behind the net and unable to set a play up to take a quality shot.  Or, bring it in and take a shot.. it bounces off an opposing player and they bring it back for a two on two.

Amerks finally get a bounce.. Larman took a shot and everyone was heading to the front of the net, it trickled past Monster’s goaltender, Jason [...]Read More

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Game #27: Amerks vs Peoria Rivermen at Blue Cross Arena

December 12, 2008 - By

The Peoria Rivermen are in town today to play the Amerks at Blue Cross Arena, game time is 7:35pm.  The Amerks are 3-3-1 in their past seven games making for the best stretch of the season so far.  They’ve already tallied more points and wins this December compared to last years dreadful month.  Tonight will mark the teams third game in four nights with games on Saturday (in Cleveland against Lake Erie) and Sunday (home against Syracuse Crunch).

The Rivermen will be just as tired, they are on a similar four games in a five night stretch and also on a hot streak as well.  They are 4-1 in their past five following a win in Hamilton last night.

Mike Brodeur will be getting the start again tonight for his fourth consecutive start.  He is 2-1 with a 1.31 goals-against average and .953 save percentage.

With Tanner Glass on recall to the Panthers, Michael Caruso was named the teams alternate captain in Texas.  Caruso has played in all 25 games so far this season and only has one goal and one assist.

“Michael has been one of our top defensemen the last seven or eight games,” Groulx said. [...]Read More

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Amerks Sign Greg Classen

December 12, 2008 - By

Greg Classen

The first thing I noticed today when I sat down to watch practice was a new face on the ice.  Greg Classen is here!  I’m not sure if he is a PTO for the Amerks or if he is a Panthers’ signing for the year but, he is a vet that is severly needed on the front lines.

Classen has played 90 NHL games with the Nashville Predators.  He has also played in over 350 AHL/IHL games.  This season he played one game with the Providence Bruins and 19 games with the San Antonio Rampage.

He could be the veteran presence the Amerks have needed up front.  We will see what he can do tonight against the Peoria Rivermen.

* Update: He has not yet been cleared to join the active roster while work visa issues are resolved, but he can practice as he did this morning.

Tags: ι ι ι ι Categories: Amerks

Repik A Good Match For The NHL

December 8, 2008 - By

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 3rd 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 [...]Read More

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Amerks Send The River Rats Back To The Sewer; Win 4-0

December 8, 2008 - By

Mike Brodeur made his first start in goal with the Amerks a memorable one last night when he shutout the Albany River Rats.  He made the Rats (who just beat the Norfolk Admirals 8-1 on Friday night) look like a mess on the ice.  But, he wasn’t the only player who really stepped up to show what they can do.

Tanner Glass, who has been invisible most of the season, stepped up to grab a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.  He tried to fight Dwyer right off of the opening faceoff, but was just handed a slashing penalty which really didn’t do anyone any good. 

He scored the Amerks’ 4th goal in the third period and got into a fight basically right after coming out of the box for his first penalty.  It’s really too bad that it takes the Florida Panther’s GM being in attendance to get something out of Glass. 

He was rewarded for last night’s play with a call up to the Panthers to play in tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators.  Also, getting a deserved call-up for tonight’s game in Ottawa is Michal Repik, the Amerks points leader.

The Amerks certainly all played their best [...]Read More

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Frolik Picks Up Two Points: Panthers Blank Rangers

November 30, 2008 - By

The Florida Panthers blanked the Eastern Conference 1st place Rangers today.

Craig Anderson made 37 saves, only further showing that he is the number one goaltender in Florida.  He also made 43 saves in Friday’s shootout loss, also against the Rangers.  He will be starting again on Tuesday when the Cats make a trip to Washington.

Stephen Weiss and Gregory Campbell scored 12 seconds apart in the second period.

Rookie Michael Frolik had a goal and an assist in the Panthers’ winning effort today.

This was the first time the Rangers were shut out all season.  Nice work Cats.

The Panthers are currently without forwards Richard Zednik, Cory Stillman and Nathan Horton. David Booth left the game in the second period with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Tuesday’s game.  Don’t expect Shawn Matthias back this week.

Tags: ι ι ι Categories: Amerks

Amerks Still Searching For First Road Win…Don't Get The Win But, Take a Point

November 30, 2008 - By

Sorry for the lack of reports on the Amerks’ games this week.  The family was on vacation up in Toronto and with the holidays, it has been hard to get thing going.  We will have a full week report after tonight’s game.

The Amerks are currently playing the Toronto Marlies where they are fighting for their first road win.  I am watching the game on AHL Live.  Toronto has a very good feed.  I would recommend if you want to watch an away game on the site, a Toronto one would be the way to go.

The first period is almost over.  3:11 to go.  The score is 1-1.  Jason Garrison scored a nice one on the powerplay a few minutes ago.  I just tuned in (I forgot the game was early tonight) so I didn’t get to see the Marlies’ goal.

David Shantz is in goal for the Amerks.  He has been playing pretty solid this year.  Both in the ECHL with the Dayton Bombers and in Rochester although the loses don’t show that.  He really has improved by a lot after last season.

Amerks score on the powerplay again!  17:31 of the first.  2 for 3 [...]Read More

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