The Rochester Americans won their 5th game of the season tonight against the Syracuse Crunch and it also counted as the Amerks 14th win of the season.  I think it’s time to say that this team is the real deal.

“I was worried to be honest because we have not played for quite a bit, but we had some good practices during the week and our guys showed how serious they were tonight,” Benoit Groulx said after the game.  “And it paid off.”

The obvious star of the game was Keaton Ellerby who scored his first hat trick and the first Amerks hat trick since 2006 when Stefan Meyer scored three in a game.  The look on Ellerby’s face above is priceless.

The first goal of the game at 7:18 of the first was a great combination of two things.  Mike Duco created a perfect screen in front of Dan LaCosta and Ellerby followed through with a great wrist shot from the face off circle.

Jimmy Bonneau and Brett Gallant got into a nice scrap half way through the first period:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETGITyNUJr4

Steve MacIntyre and Jon Mirasty also got involved in an epic battle half way through the third period, will post that video as soon as it finishes uploading.

I asked about Ellerby after the game and Groulx laughed and said, “When he listens it pays off.”

Shawn Matthias scored a beauty of a goal to put the Amerks up 2-1 with hard work going at the net.  He used his body to get the puck to the front of the net, the puck ended up between his feet but he still managed to shoot the puck and beat LaCosta five hole.  I had to watch the replay to see that it was really him.

Benoit Groulx talked about Matthias saying, “I like his work ethic.  I think he’s one of the guys who works the most here day in and day out.”  He went on to say, “Obviously having  points on the board for him is huge.  The challenge for him is to keep his focus even though he doesnt produce any points.  He’s gotta realize he’s useful to this team without scoring points.”

Matthias received a lot of heat last season but is finding his role this year and it’s showing in every game he plays.  He scored a goal tonight but in previous games when he hasn’t he’s been a great asset on the ice.

Alexander Salak was yet again outstanding on the ice.  At one point he made an amazing save twisting around and knocking the puck away with his blocker.  Hopefully the team is putting together a highlight reel because this guy deserves it.  His style is not typical and it’s something we’ve gotten used to already but need to appreciate every game.

Here’s what Benoit Groulx had to say about Salak:

We’re getting used to it.  It’s his style and that’s the way he plays.  To me that shows a level of competitivness.  We’re used to it.  He anticipates well.  He competes hard and he’s so quick.  He’s like a cat out there moving so quick.

Am i surprised?  Not really anymore.  I used to be but not anymore.  Have I ever seen a save like that?  I don’t remember.  Theres many stops he made that I’ve never seen anywhere.

With the long stretch of games coming up he’ll be getting a rest so Tyler Plante gets the chance to play.

Andrew Sweetland scored the game winning goal at 8:38 of the second period by drawing LaCosta out of the net, holding on to the puck he stick handled around his leg and put the puck easily into the net.  I’ve been tough on Sweetland but he’s starting to show positive signs.

Ellerby’s second goal of the night only 32 seconds into the third period was awesome.  Michal Repik took a shot from the right side boards and Ellerby went to the net for the rebound and it paid off.  As Ellerby was skating past a Crunch player he tripped up and shot the puck into the net as he was falling to the ice.

Benoit Groulx said the following about Ellerby:

it’s about him playing with audacity. this is what we want our team to do. sometimes when you play with audacity you get caught. We’d rather have them caught once in a while than trying to do things with the puck.

Once you get to the offensive blue line you’ve got to find a way.  An open area.  A teammate.  Find out what you’re going to do with the puck.  He’s (Ellerby) not going into nowheres land.  Some guys carry the puck to the far blue line and they end up with no play, they end up chipping the puck into the corner because they dont know what to do with it.

To sum it up, Keaton Ellerby knows what to do with the puck.  Last season he was often trying to do the same things but would be caught out of position or lose the puck creating a turnover.  That’s not the case this season.

Talking more about Ellerby this season Groulx said, “He’s more confident playing with wilson.  They’re a good duo.  They’re good puck movers, they can skate and believe in themselves.”

In a move that should have been expected, Alexander Salak was knocked down again this time by Alexandre Picard.  With 49 seconds left in the third period Picard got tied up with Wilson in the goal crease.  Picard fell to the ice and as he was getting back up he took a jab at the pads of Salak and knocked him down.  It’s too bad Ellerby, Wilson, Taylor, Brine, and Repik were the ones on the ice.  Someone needs to do something to these guys or else their going to keep getting away with it.

The Picard goaltender interference penalty paid off for Ellerby though.  On the power play Ellerby scored his third of the game for the hat trick with assists going to Matthias and Clay Wilson.

—————

Syracuse Crunch 2 At Rochester Americans 5 – Status: Final
Nov 20, 2009 – Blue Cross Arena

Syracuse 1 0 1 – 2
Rochester 2 1 2 – 5

1st Period-1, Rochester, Ellerby 1 (Duffy, Taffe), 7:18 (pp). 2, Syracuse, Fritsche 4 (Picard, Mayorov), 12:17 (pp). 3, Rochester, Matthias 2 (Brine, Wilson), 17:37. Penalties-MacIntyre Rch (roughing), 2:36; Liffiton Syr (hooking), 7:11; Lundbohm Syr (tripping), 8:17; MacIntyre Rch (goaltender interference), 10:40; Gallant Syr (fighting), 15:07; Bonneau Rch (fighting), 15:07; Clitsome Syr (slashing), 20:00; Matthias Rch (slashing), 20:00.

2nd Period-4, Rochester, Sweetland 1 (Matthias, Henry), 8:38. Penalties-Aulin Syr (hooking), 6:14; Duco Rch (interference), 11:27.

3rd Period-5, Rochester, Ellerby 2 (Brine, Repik), 0:32. 6, Syracuse, Frischmon 3 (Fritsche), 2:11 (sh). 7, Rochester, Ellerby 3 (Wilson, Matthias), 19:25 (pp). Penalties-LaVallee-Smotherman Syr (roughing), 0:48; McBride Syr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:14; Mirasty Syr (fighting), 8:14; Bonneau Rch (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:14; MacIntyre Rch (double minor – spearing (attempt, fighting), fighting), 8:14; Picard Syr (goaltender interference), 19:11.

Shots on Goal-Syracuse 8-4-6-18. Rochester 14-6-10-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Syracuse 1 of 5; Rochester 2 of 5.
Goalies-Syracuse, LaCosta 3-7-1 (30 shots-25 saves). Rochester, Salak 11-1-0 (18 shots-16 saves).
A-6,092
Referees-Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Tim Kotyra (53), Derek Nansen (70).

Hat Trick, Sick Saves, and Sweet Goals lead Amerks to Win is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

Michal Repik scored the overtime game winning goal Saturday night in Syracuse to extend the Amerks winning streak to six games, the teams longest winning streak since the start of the 2006/2007 season.  It was also the Amerks first regular season road win in Syracuse since April 2007.

Missed last nights game?  Here’s the recap.

Update 12:39pm Sunday afternoon: The Florida Panthers sent Jason Garrison back to the Rochester Americans, he should be back in the lineup tonight.

If you did not have plans to go to tonights game you should stop what you’re doing and get to the game.  The team has a couple of great promotions for the game, “Sweets in the Suites and Red Hot Sundays.”  The game is at 5pm.  You’ll still have plenty of time to get home in time for the Yankees game at 8:20pm.  As for the Bills, does anyone really care anymore?  Come to the arena and watch some exciting hockey!!

Some more thoughts about the game:

** Alexander Salak showed that he is not going to allow opposing players to push him around.  Salak earned two minutes for roughing after a Crunch player hit him in the crease.  Salak got up and threw a punch, he’s not going to take it.

** We’ll probably see another matchup of Alexander Salak and Dan LaCosta in net tonight.  Both goalies played great games on Saturday.

** During the first intermission Don Stevens was talking to Benoit Groulx and it was great to hear Groulx say, “I’m convinced we dont have our a game yet.”  Groulx is happy that the team is winning but is convinced they can do much better.  He went on to say that he still thinks the team is giving up too many pucks along the walls and that the defense can do a better job forechecking as well as their positioning.

** Expect Kenndal McArdle and Tom Sestito to settle their battle early in the game.  Sestito went after Peter Aston who had hit Derek McKenzie into the boards hard.  It was a clean hit but Sestito still took off across the ice to chase down Aston.  McArdle was quick to get in and help out Aston.  The last time the Amerks and Crunch played in Rochester you may remember this fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_vCu8uQS8k&feature=player_profilepage

** Keaton Ellerby played his best game of the season in Syracuse.  He was skating all over the place and had great control of the puck.  A few times he was skating end to end untouched.

** Luke Beaverson played a great game as well.  He was involved making plays and playing physical with the Crunch.  With both Rory Fitzpatrick and Jason Garrison out of the lineup it was going to be interesting to see if he could step up his game and he did.. now it’s time for Peter Aston to do the same.

** Shawn Matthias had another soft game tonight.  He needs to take a lesson from Graham Mink about standing in front of the net, staying in front of the net, and if someone pushes you around you get back up and get in their face.  Are we starting to see why the Detroit Red Wings originally traded him away?

** Chris Taylor, Jeff Taffe, and Mike York are playmakers.  These guys are pure proof how talented veterans can help a team win games.  Anytime they are on the ice you can expect something to happen.

** Michal Repik has six goals and five assists in eight games for 11 points.  He’s doing everything he can to prove to the Panthers he’s deserving of a callup when needed.

** Andrew Sweetland and Brady Calla were healthy scratches for the third straight game.  With Oreskovich and Bonneau in the lineup and playing well the only chance these guys are back into the game is if someone gets injured or called up.

** Jimmy Bonneau and Jon Mirasty will probably find a way to drop the gloves again on Sunday.

And finally if you’ve read this far, I need some help trying to get the word out about this site.  This is my third season and it’s time to really let Rochester know this place exists.  The site has grown year over year at a fairly steady pace which is pretty good considering how bad the past two seasons were.  If anyone has any ideas or anyone has a local business that would be interested in partnering up in some way please get in touch with me through the contact link up top or send an email to keith at letsgoamerks dot com.

Gameday: Amerks Close out Weekend at Home vs Crunch is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

3:33 into the first period Jon Mirasty layed a huge hit on Beaverson against the boards.  There was no penalty called but Jimmy Bonneau was also on the ice and quick to go after Mirasty and get a fight going.  Mirasty should have been given a boarding penalty on that hit.

Tim Miller put the Crunch on the scoreboard first at 10:02 of the first period.  Miller had tipped in a slap shot by Nick Holden.  Jon Mirasty was also credited with an assist.

At the next faceoff Jimmy Bonneau and Jon Mirasty dropped the gloves a second time for a real fight.  Mirasty appeared to get in a few more direct punches than Bonneau but credit is due for Bonneau for busting open Mirasty’s left eye.

Maksim Mayorov scored four minutes later with an assist to Jared Aulin.

Jimmy Bonneau scored at 17:08 of the first period on the power play to get the Amerks within one goal.  Bonneau was in front of the net and tipped in an Ellerby shot from the blue line.

The second period did not have any scoring but it was physical.  It all started when Peter Aston hit Derek McKenzie hard into the boards in the Amerks end.  Tom Sestito skated across the ice to chase down Peter Aston and tackle him to the ice.  Kenndal McArdle got a penalty for 3rd man in and a game misconduct for coming to Astons defense.

I think it’s safe to say we’ll see McArdle and Sestito settle this on Sunday afternoon in Rochester.

The Amerks had a five minute power play since Sestito was given a five minute major.  The best scoring chance was by Jamie Johnson with six seconds left as he went around two Crunch players but LaCosta made an excellent glove save.

Fast forward to 12:53 of the third period where Jamie Johnson tied the game 2-2.  Johnson was all alone to take a rebound off a shot by Ellerby to put a shot past LaCosta.

The game ended tied 2-2 and went into overtime.

The Amerks came on strong in OT with a number of odd man rushes against the Crunch led by Jeff Taffe and Mike York.

With 34 seconds remaining in OT the Amerks capped off the come from behind victory from a goal scored by Michal Repik.  Chris Taylor and Mike Caruso were given assists for leading the play into the Crunch end.

The win puts the Amerks in sole possesion of firth place in the North Division and also extends their winning streak to six games.

It was pretty even throughout much of the second half of the game.  The speed and skill difference between the Amerks and Crunch was evident in overtime.

Alexander Salak and Dan LaCosta both had great games trading great saves.  In the end Salak kept the Amerks in the game.

With Fitzpatrick and Garrison out of the lineup both Peter Aston and Luke Beaverson saw a lot of ice time and both played well.  Jimmy Bonneau also earned a lot of ice time even after two fights with Mirasty.

Same two teams Sunday afternoon for what will be another battle.  The Amerks have played some great hockey at home and should have the momentum heading into the game.

———————-

Rochester Americans 3 (OT) At Syracuse Crunch 2 – Status: Final OT
Oct 24, 2009 – Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter

Rochester 1 0 1 1 – 3
Syracuse 2 0 0 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Syracuse, Miller 1 (Holden, Mirasty), 10:02. 2, Syracuse, Mayorov 2 (Aulin), 14:17. 3, Rochester, Bonneau 1 (Ellerby, Repik), 17:08 (pp). Penalties-Bonneau Rch (fighting), 3:33; Mirasty Syr (fighting), 3:33; served by Picard Syr (bench minor – too many men), 6:24; served by Dadonov Rch (bench minor – too many men), 7:39; Bonneau Rch (fighting), 10:03; Mirasty Syr (fighting), 10:03; Taylor Rch (hooking), 10:42; Mink Rch (roughing), 15:53; Salak Rch (roughing), 15:53; Pelletier Syr (interference, roughing), 15:53; Picard Syr (roughing), 15:53.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-McArdle Rch (tripping), 0:13; Liffiton Syr (roughing), 5:50; McArdle Rch (roughing, game misconduct – third man in), 7:47; Sestito Syr (fighting, game misconduct – aggressor), 7:47; Ratchuk Syr (cross-checking), 10:09; Dadonov Rch (interference), 13:25; LaVallee-Smotherman Syr (high-sticking), 17:28; Aston Rch (roughing), 19:08; MacKenzie Syr (roughing), 19:08.

3rd Period-4, Rochester, Johnson 1 (Ellerby, York), 12:53. Penalties-Henry Rch (slashing), 10:03; Mink Rch (elbowing), 13:42; Aulin Syr (tripping), 13:50; Matthias Rch (goaltender interference), 16:13.

OT Period-5, Rochester, Repik 6 (Taylor, Caruso), 4:26. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Rochester 7-11-10-5-33. Syracuse 7-5-10-2-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Rochester 1 of 7; Syracuse 0 of 7.
Goalies-Rochester, Salak 4-0-0 (24 shots-22 saves). Syracuse, LaCosta 2-3-1 (33 shots-30 saves).
A-4,372
Referees-Jean Hebert (87).
Linesmen-Jeff Walker (28), Derek Sylvester (76).

Amerks Come Back to Win in Over Time is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

Ok, back to ground level, it was only a preseason game.. but I’ll take it.

The team that played on Tuesday night in Syracuse was a completely different team than the one that played on Sunday night.  The team had some chemistry, some cohesion, the passes were crisp, bodies were thrown around, goals were scored, and there was blood.  What more can you ask for in a hockey game?

I knew we were in for a good game when players were chirping at each other during warmups.   Trevor Gillies for the Amerks was stretching near the red line at the end of warmups when a couple of pucks came across the ice in his direction.  How did they get there?  Kevin Harvey of the Syracuse Crunch.  Warmups ended with Gillies tossing a puck back towards Gillies and the two players shared a one finger salute.

It only took 13 seconds for Trevor Gillies to bump into Libor Ustrnul when the two decided it was time to fight.

And then about six minutes later Jimmy Bonneau and Jon Mirasty bumped into each other in front of the Amerks bench and decided to punch each other in the had.

And then we got to playing some hockey…

If tonight was any indication I think we’re in for a treat with the Evgeny Dadonov, Chris Taylor, and Mike York line.  The three players had a combined two goals and five assists.

Mike York scored the first goal off a great pass across the front of the net from Chris Taylor.

The second goal scored by Evgeny Dadonov was one I thought Dan LaCosta would have easily saved, but that’s just me doubting Dadanov it appears.  Dadonov took the puck along the boards, went to the front of the net, waited.. waited.. and then put the puck into the net past LaCosta.  It seemed like an eternity but was probably a split second.

Jordan Henry did a great job getting the puck to Jamie Johnson who scored the third goal of the game in the second period.  The two players made it look easily.  Henry was at the blue line and looked as if he just lobbed the puck to the side of the net to Johnson who was waiting to put it in the net.

The fourth goal was an awesome pass by Victor Oreskovich to Chris Taylor who shot the puck at LaCosta but was denied.  Jon Landry did a great job rushing to the net to get the roubound to score the goal.

The team then started to fall apart in the third period with a lot of penalties but something surprising happened.. they were able to kill all of the penalties without allowing a goal by the opposing team.

Some more thoughts on some players..

Watching players Chris Taylor, Mike York, and Graham Mink play the whole game without missing a step has to give the rest of the team motivation to not start slacking.  This is where that whole concept of veterans directly impacts a team with younger players.

If someone watched Chris Taylor tonight they would have no idea the guy will be 38 years old in March.  He was all over the place hitting bodies.  That’s something Syracuse has done to the Amerks the past few seasons.  If anyone had any doubt that he would be missing a step this season he sure didn’t show it tonight.

Ryan Mior looked solid starting in net.  Benoit Groulx said after the game he’s made a good case for himself to earn a position somewhere.  Groulx had coached Mior in the QMJHL but said it was not him that brought Mior into camp.

Victor Oreskovich looked just like a second round draft pick should.  He’s here on a tryout and showed some speed and grit on the ice tonight.  It’ll be interesting to see if the Amerks can find a spot for him here or with the Everblades.

Andrew Sweetland.  You may have just shook your head hearing that name but.. he looked good.  It appears as if he’s gained some strength over the summer.  I’m not ready to give up on him just yet.

Jimmy Bonneau and Trevor Gillies made a good case for themselves tonight that they should both be kept by the team.  They’re both strong players who were given a decent amount of ice time and did not seem like liabilities at all on the ice.

Benoit Groulx said decisions about players like these guys would be talked about on Wednesday by the management.  He said the team will need to look and find what roster spots will need to be filled based on who is still out of the lineup and who is expected back.

I’m having some technical difficulties so check back tomorrow for some more quotes from after the game along with some pictures and more about Victor Oreskovich.

Amerks Defeat the Crunch with a Strong Performance is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.

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 #24), 4-0
• Away: Adam Dennis @ Toronto, 2/2/08 (game #51), 3-0

Amerks were shutout:

• Home: Karl Goehring, Syracuse, 4/11/08 (game #78), 0-4
• Away: Dan LaCosta @ Syracuse, 3/14/08 (game #365), 0-3

Amerks win in overtime:

• Home: vs Albany, 2/20/08, (game #58), 2-1 (Anthony Stewart)
• Away: @ Lake Erie, 3/20/08, (game #67), 5-4 (David Brine)

Amerks lose in overtime:

• Home:vs Toronto, 2/1/08, (game #50), 2-3 (Jeremy Williams)
• Away: @Binghamton, 3/15/08, (game #66), 3-4 (Greg Maulding)

Amerks win in shootout:

• Home: vs Binghamton, 3/30/08 (game #73), 4-3 (GWG: Clarke MacArthur, Goalie: Adam Dennis)
• Away: @Houston, 12/10/08 (game #26), 2-1 (GWG: Jacob Micflikier, Goalie: Mike Brodeur)

Amerks lose in shootout:

• Home: vs Chicago, 11/14/08, (game #14), 2-3 (Brett Sterling)
• Away: @ Toronto, 11/30/08 (game #22), 3-4 (Goalie: Justin Pogge)

Amerks player to scoreless tie:

• Home: Martin Biron (Rochester) vs Norm Maracle (Adirondack), 11/10/97 (game #12), 0-0
• Away: Dave Littman (Rochester) @ Stephan Fiset (Halifax), 11/20/91 (game #16), 0-0

Amerks player scored a hat-trick:

• Home: Stefan Meyer vs Binghamton, 12/16/06 (game #27)
• Away: Mike Ryan @ Syracuse, 2/17/07 (game #53)

Opposing player scored a hat-trick:

• Home: Brad Richardson, Lake Erie, 4/13/08 (game #80)
• Away: Corey Locke, @ Hamilton, 4/9/08 (game #77)

Amerks player scored four goals:

• Home: Scott McCrory vs Adirondack, 11/3/90 (game #12)
• Away: Ken Priestlay @ Newmarket, 3/10/89 (game #70)

Opposing player scored four goals:

• Home: Grant Potulny, Binghamton, 12/30/08 (game #34)
• Away: Grant Stevenson, Quad City, 1/20/08 (game #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

When Was the Last Time The Amerks… is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!. For discussion visit the forums at LetsGoAmerks.com/Forums.