Posts Tagged ‘Jason Garrison’

The Amerks 12 Days of Christmas 2008 to 2011

December 22, 2011 - By
The Amerks 12 Days of Christmas 2008 to 2011

The Amerks have continued the tradition in 2011 of having the players sing their own version of the 12 Days of Christmas.  Starting with 2008 and then this seasons is down at the bottom.  Derek Whitmore and Jacob Legace offer the best moments in this years.  It’s a shame they couldn’t squeeze in a “Legend of Joe Finley” somewhere.  Grab a hold of things that gain even a slight amount of popularity and run with it!  They’re all worth watching and are classics that will follow these guys through their careers.

Starting with 2008 and then 2011 at the bottom..

2008 featuring Drew Larman, Keaton Ellerby, Jordan Henry, Dan Collins, Franklin MacDonald, Tanner Glass, Michael Caruso, Riley Emmerson, Jason Garrison, David Shantz, Andrew Sweetland, Michal Repik

2009 featuring Tyler Plante, Mike Duco, Andrew Sweetland, Jimmy Bonneau, Shawn Matthias, David Brine, Brady Calla, Luke Beaverson, Evgeny Dadanov, Michal Repik, Jason Garison, Alexander Salak

2010 featuring Jacob Markstrom, Adam Comrie, AJ Jenks, Evgeny Dadanov, Brady Calla, Scott Timmins, Colby Robak, PJ Fenton, Eric Selleck, Paul Baier, Michael Caruso, Tyler Plant.  I’m missing two faces here, who are they?

2010 Bloopers

2011 Version:

Bloopers:


Enjoy!

Panthers Call Up Joe Callahan, Wilson Could Also Go Up

January 20, 2011 - By
Panthers Call Up Joe Callahan, Wilson Could Also Go Up

In an epic 1000th article posted on this site, Joe Callahan has been called up by the Florida Panthers.  It’s also possible that Clay Wilson could be called up as well.  Callahan is being called up to fill in for Dmirty Kulikov who has a rib injury.  George Richards is also reporting that Jason Garrison will be a game time decision with a groin issue so because of that Clay Wilson could be on his way just in case.

As Kevin O wrote, the Graham Mink trade has finally paid off as TJ Fast has been called up to join the Amerks.

It would’ve been great to see Carl Hudson called up to play a hard hitting role on a soft Amerks defense. In 29 games with the cyclones he has three assists and 77 penalty minutes. Not sure how he’s really played with the Cyclones but at the tail end of the Amerks season last year he made a big impact. It seems as though Hudsons disputed/unreported injury last season has created some spite and the Cats are punishing him.

In 41 games with the Amerks Callahan has tallied three goals, eight assists, 12 penalty minutes and an [...]Read More

Panthers Extend Offers to Five Players

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June 27, 2010 - By

The Florida Panthers made qualifying offers to five players this weekend and told five others that they would not be coming back.  No real surprises with any of those moves.

Kenndal McArdle, Jason Garrison, Mike Duco, Jordan Henry and Tyler Plante were all extended offers.

Andrew Sweetland, Luke Beaverson, Peter Aston, Dan Collins and Nick Tarnasky were all advised to hit the free agency market on July 1st.

Tarnasky is a player that will stand up for his team but offers little in terms of offensive capabilities.  Assuming Kenndal McArdle can stay healthy he could easily step up to fit the same role and have the ability to score.

Dale Tallon told the media at the NHL draft that he wants to try and get Jason Garrison locked up into a long term contract.  Garrison is likely a full time NHL player for the rest of his career at this point.

Grading the 2009-2010 Amerks Player by Player

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May 4, 2010 - By

One week ago today we were mentally preparing for game 7 against the Abbotsford Heat and hoping for a legendary game.  It certainly turned out to be a legendary game, unfortunately not in favor of the Amerks.  As sports fans, it’s the type of loss that will live with us forever until another Calder Cup is won.  Until that happens next season, there’s still a number of things to discuss about the one that just ended and I’ll start by grading each of the players.

Thanks to Eric Bourgeois (frequent reader, supporter and die hard Amerks fan) who contributed to this.  There’s a couple things I disagreed with him on and noted.  You may agree or disagree yourself on a lot of things said and I’d love to hear your thoughts.  These grades are based on a lot more than just a stat sheet.

Starting with highest grade to lowest:

Jason Garrison: A-
– He’ll have a full time job in the NHL soon enough.  Eric had him listed as a B+ but I gave him an upgrade.  The Amerks defense had issues all season and without Garrison in the lineup for the post season (2g+7a) things may have [...]Read More

Contract Status for Amerks Players Heading into Next Season

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April 29, 2010 - By

Now that the season is over for the Rochester Americans it’s time to take a look and see who is still under contract with the Panthers or Amerks, who is and who is not still likely to sign.  I grouped players by signed, likely to sign and RFA and UFA.  Under each category I put some guesses about the status of the players.

Currently Under Contract for 10/11:

Coaches: Benoit Groulx and Jason Cipolla

Goalies: Alexander Salak, Marc Cheverie

Defense: Michael Caruso, Keaton Ellerby, Adam Comrie, James DeLory

Forwards: Evgeny Dadonov, Michal Repik, Brady Calla, Graham Mink, Chris Taylor, Shawn Matthias, Victor Oreskovich, Eric Selleck, AJ Jenks

One Way: Clay Wilson and Jeff Taffe are signed but to one way contracts with the Florida Panthers.  If they don’t fit into their plans it’s still possible the Panthers will try and have them clear waivers to be sent to the Amerks.

***** Shawn Matthias has probably played his last game in the AHL and should be able to earn a job with the Panthers going forward.  Keaton Ellerby will be trying to earn a job as well but he has some work ahead.  It’s amazing that James DeLory is still under [...]Read More

Amerks Feel the Heat and are Forced to a Game 7

April 26, 2010 - By

Before everyone starts writing a eulogy for this Amerks team just remember that it’s not over yet.  When a playoff series is on the line every team wants home ice advantage, something the Amerks earned.  It’s up to them to use it to their advantage.  It’s their building.  This team has done a lot this season, the last they they want is this season to be considered one big choke.

The only other time in Amerks history that they had a 3-1 series lead that eventually went to a game seven they won the series on their way to a Calder Cup in 1983.

That’s what we have to hope at least.  On to the game….

The Abbotsford Heat scored three goals in a span of two minutes and nine seconds that turned out to be too big of a hole for the Amerks to climb out of.  The Heat won the game thanks to speed, passing, bad giveaways and poor defensive coverage by the Amerks.

Evgeny Dadonov gave up the puck after being chased down by Mikael Backlund in the Amerks zone which led to a goal by Jason Jaffray.  It only took 41 seconds for the Heat to [...]Read More

Amerks Win Gives Them a Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

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April 22, 2010 - By

The Rochester Americans lit up the scoreboard on Wednesday night with four power play goals in a 6-1 win over the Abbotsford Heat to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.  Rochester could win the series with a win on Friday night.  Ever since the game one loss last Thursday I don’t think anyone would have predicted the Amerks would be scoring goals like they are.

Well, David Shantz has been the starting goalie for the Heat so it’s not that far fetched.

Tyler Plante stopped 46 of 47 shots on Wednesday night.

The Amerks have outscored the Heat 18-6 since last Thursday and just about every player on the Amerks roster is producing points in this series.  They’re playing the way a team should play in the playoffs.  Ignoring game one, they’ve done a decent job not taking as many dumb penalties.  They’ve scored big goals in the second period to build leads.  They’ve had strong goaltending.  They’ve played physical and proved that they could not be pushed around.

The chemistry that this team had back in October as they won game after game is back.

Here’s the scoring:

1. RCH Johnson, (1) (Garrison, Matthias), 8:49 (PP)
[...]Read More

Huge 8 to 4 Win for the Amerks in Game 3

April 20, 2010 - By

The Amerks got out to a slow start on Monday night on the road against the Abbotsford Heat but came back in a big way ending the game with an 8-4 win.  Abbotsford had a 2-1 lead up until 8:03 of the second period when Shawn Matthias tied the game and that opened up the scoring.  By the end of the game  Shawn Matthias, Graham Mink and Clay Wilson each had two goals and Mike York and Jason Garrison each had three assists.

The win gives the Amerks a 2-1 lead in the series heading into the next game on Wednesday night.  The win also guarantee’s at least one more Amerks home game whether it’s the end of this series or the next round.  Keep the ice cold and the locker room doors unlocked, the Amerks will be coming back home!

I wrote prior to game one that Shawn Matthias has the big game experiences this time of year and it doesn’t come down to just the veterans and he’s proving that.  Mike York and Graham Mink are also playing huge but Matthias has been the one to step up in these past two games.

David Shantz was pulled [...]Read More

Hard Nosed Hockey Leads Amerks to Tie Series

April 18, 2010 - By

Saturday night in Rochester was the definition of playoff hockey.  The Rochester Americans defeated the Abbotsford Heat in game 2 on Saturday night, an excellent rebound of a game from the way they played on Thursday night.

“It’s playoff hockey and both teams were trying to set the tone and trying to get the teams going,” Shawn Matthias said.  “It’s going to be a long series so we wanted to show them we’re not scared of them.  If you watch they’re always starting things after every whistle so we’re responding well and trying to play a hard nosed style.”

That’s not a style of hockey the Amerks have had to play every other night but it’s what they’re going to have to do in this seven game series against the Abbotsford Heat.

“We knew we needed to win this game,” Tyler Plante said talking about the game.  “Tonight it really felt like playoff hockey, we worked hard for 60 minutes and I really give the team credit for that.”

Plante was excellent in net and proved he should have been the starter to begin with in this playoff series.  The only goal scored on him in this series was not [...]Read More

Game 2: Stay Out of the Box and Play Physical Near the Net

April 17, 2010 - By

It’s only game two of a seven game series tonight between the Amerks and Heat but it’s possibly one of the most important games.  If the Heat win and return home for three games everything is in their favor.  If the Amerks win the series starts over as a best of five with three straight in Abbotsford and the Heat are not as good on home ice.  I’m heading down to the arena shortly for the morning skate and hopefully it’s not the last.

The game plan should be pretty simple, stay out of the penalty box, create some battles in front of David Shantz and do not let Keith Seabrook shoot the puck from the blue line.  Seabrook had two goals on Thursday night, the first and the game winner.

Attendance should be better tonight for game two at 7:05pm at Blue Cross Arena.  The Red Wings are scheduled to open their season today at home but the weather does not look to be very baseball like.  Pass the word, get some fans in the building to cheer on the hometown team.  The Sabres play at 1pm so keep the day going with more WNY playoff hockey!

A few [...]Read More

Seven Players Return to Amerks, Three Players Released

April 12, 2010 - By

The season is over for the Florida Panthers which means the return of players previously called up and also that the only way players will leave the Amerks lineup is with an injury.  The end of the Panthers season meant that seven players were sent to the Amerks for the playoffs.

Hershey Bears head Coach Mark French said to me back in January at the AHL All-Star game that he thought the Amerks were a really good team, “if the Panthers would leave them alone.”  Pretty strong statement from the coach of the best team in the league and now it’s time to see.

A few players were also released.  Corey Syvret, Alex Petizian and Andrew Lord were released.  Lord is rejoining his ECHL team the Wheeling Nailers.

The players returning to the Amerks are Shawn Matthias, Jason Garrison, Keaton Ellerby, Steve MacIntyre, Victor Oreskovich, Evgeny Dadonov and Tyler Plante.

There is some concern about the players getting back into the Amerks system, the different level of play and also some chemistry.  I’d say the hope is that after time in the NHL they’ll all be ready to accomplish something special in the AHL before some of them have full [...]Read More

Actions of Panthers Will Speak for Themselves on Deadline Day

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March 3, 2010 - By

The NHL trade deadline is at 3pm and the entire Florida Panthers organization has sunk into another few years of “rebuilding.”  The Panthers have already traded Jordan Leopold and Dominic Moore for draft picks, one pick in 2010 and one in 2011.  Jason Garrison was called up to the Amerks to replace Leopold and Shawn Matthias called up to replace Moore.  I think both of those players have improved as the season has gone on, something that can’t be said for the rest of the prospects.

The Panthers can dump all of the players they want for draft picks but when the current talent pool of prospects is underachieving, miserable, and not improving it paints a horrible outlook on the entire organization.  This season was supposed to be different for the Panthers and the Amerks.  This season they were going to make the playoffs, the prospects were going to get better.  None of that has happened for the Panthers.  The Amerks have stayed near the top of their division because of the money spent by Amerks owner Curt Styres.  If it wasn’t for him the Panthers affiliate in the AHL would again be one of the worst.

Randy Sexton has [...]Read More