The Amerks have three games in four nights coming up and we’ll get the chance to see what this team is made of. Last weekend some key players were missing that will be back.
Here’s my guesses for changes in the lineup this weekend:
Out of the lineup: Matt Duffy, Dan Collins, Peter Aston, Jimmy Bonneau, Jon Landry, and Luke Beaverson.
In the lineup: Rory Fitzpatrick, Jason Garrison, Mike Caruso, Michal Repik, and Mike Duco.
With Oreskovich still getting work visa issues straightened out I’m assuming we’ll see James DeLory in the lineup to fill the final spot. Luke Beaverson was not very effective so I hope DeLory is given a chance.
A full lineup should be exciting to watch. The Amerks will have more offense with Repik and Duco on the ice. The question mark will be with James DeLory to see how he plays. The defense will also be stronger.
Tyler Plante will get the start in net on Friday night. Assuming he plays as well as he did last weekend he’ll probably play all weekend.
The key to winning these games will be a strong transition game and the defense preventing the opposition from getting to the front of the net. Something that was an issue last season and carried over into the first game.
Tonight we’ll see a rematch of last Saturdays home opener against the Lake Erie Monsters. The Monsters won that game with 5 seconds left in OT (game recap). The Amerks controlled the first period of that game but the Monsters came back to eventually win the game. This will be the second of eight games between the two teams this season.
Saturday night the team travels to take on the Albany River Rats for it’s first road game of the season. The game will be the first of four games between these two teams this season. Last season the Amerks split the season series 2-2, both wins were on home ice at Blue Cross Arena. The Amerks have a 46-41-9 all-time record against the River Rats.
The last of the three games is at home on Monday night against the Syracuse Crunch. The real test for this game will be to see how the Amerks match up against the rough and tough Crunch. The Amerks released the last of three enforcers invited to camp so we’ll see how this game goes.
All three games will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1280 WHTM and FM 107.3. All home games this season will be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26. If you’re looking to watch the road games you can do so at http://www.ahllive.com.
Week in Review:
** Florida Panthers signed RW Victor Oreskovich -He may not play this weekend while visa issues are worked out.
** Dan Collins was assigned to the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL – no need to see more.
** Matt Duffy assigned to the Florida Everblades – He’ll be a great call up when he’s needed.
** Alexander Salak recalled by the Florida Panthers -Scott Clemmenson had some family issues to attend to so the Panthers called up Salak in case Clemmenson isn’t back by Friday.
** Jon Landry Released from PTO
** Duco, Repik, Salak, and Garrison Assigned to Amerks – great to have these guys back!
