There hasn’t been any breaking news out of the Rochester Americans but with the business of Thanksgiving wanted to take time to catch up on everything going on. Besides a few Twitter updates I doubt there’ll be another post until after the game on Friday.
Even though most of us will be getting a day off from on Thursday the Amerks will not be as they have practice on Thursday morning. The last I had heard was that a bunch of the players would be getting together for their own dinner, there may be a story about that in the Democrat and Chronicle.
The Amerks have two home games this weekend, Friday night against the Albany Devils and on Saturday against the Hamilton Bulldogs.
This’ll be the first of four games against the Devils this season. The Devils will have former Rochester American Eric Boulton in the lineup, he was sent down by the New Jersey Devils for conditioning. The Devils also have Rochester native Stephen Gionta in the lineup, younger brother of Brian. The Devils are 7-1-1-1 over their past 10 games and have won their past six straight.
The Amerks need to get their first win of the season on Saturday against the Hamilton Bulldogs. They lost to them the first game of the season 5-2, and then a shootout and overtime loss in October.
TJ Brennan was called up on Monday by the Buffalo Sabres and will likely play tonight against the Boston Bruins. He could be up there for the next month with Tyler Myers out due to having wrist surgery.
Corey Tropp and Drew MacIntyre are still with the Sabres as well. It’s reported that Jochen Hecht is about to make a return which should indicate someone being sent down.
On the injury front, assuming the doctors give him clearance to play we’ll see see Michael Ryan back in the lineup on Friday after missing the last 15 games with an undisclosed injury. He has been practicing with the team with a full cage on to cover up his face, make your own assumptions off of that. One thing we do know is that he did not have a concussion.
Travis Turnbull at last update has been considered day to day and was supposed to have tests done this week. Turnbull has missed the past four games after getting his bell rung by Tim Conboy.
David Leggio will get his fourth straight start and is getting his chance to shine as the starting goalie with MacIntyre up in Buffalo. Four out of five of Leggio’s losses have been one goal games, including the last two. He hasn’t played poorly but the losses on the scorecard are still on his shoulders. Time for Leggio to stand on his head and steal a win for the team.
The key to winning the games this weekend? Play hard, score goals and be strong on special teams. Hockey 101.
Some previous articles if you missed them:
Amerks First Quarter Report Card – Overall I gave the team a B- rating, read more to see why. One factor not mentioned was the special teams, if I had taken that into consideration the grade may have dropped to a C+
Teddy Bear Toss on Friday – Buy a stuffed animal and toss it on the ice Friday to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House!
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Friday’s contest falls on the next installment of the “Ditch the Dorms†night. Beginning this season, the Amerks are encouraging all college students to “Ditch the Dorms†on Friday nights and bring the party downtown for Amerks College Nights. Current students who show a valid school ID can get best available seating anywhere in the arena for as low as $10.00. In conjunction with Savor Catering at The Blue Cross Arena, fans can take part of “Amerks Happy Hour†from 6:30-7:30 in the Upper Atrium Bar with $2.00 drafts, courtesy of Molson and Coors Light.
The Amerks will also hold the team’s first “Teddy Bear Toss†during Friday night’s game. Any fan that presents a new Teddy Bear at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office prior to Friday’s game will be able to purchase a ticket in the best available seating location for just $12.00. Then, during the first intermission, fans will be encouraged to “toss†their Teddy Bears onto the ice. All of the bears that get tossed onto the ice surface will be collected and donated to Ronald McDonald House. Fans that donate a Teddy Bear will also be entered into a raffle for an Amerks autographed team stick. Fans participating in the “Teddy Bear Toss†will receive their raffle ticket in the upper atrium upon their arrival at The Blue Cross Arena. The winner will be announced following the toss in the first intermission.
Friday night’s game will also be the second of five “$5 Parking Nights†this season in the Civic Center Garage, which is being offered by the Amerks and Mapco Auto Parks Limited, representing a $2.50 savings. For more information on the Amerks, visit www.amerks.com or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS.
Saturday’s game features the second “Hockey Night in Rochester’ promotion of the season. For all Saturday home games for the rest of year, fans that show up sporting either an Amerks or Sabres jersey can purchase $12.00 tickets from The Blue Cross Arena Box Office for best available seating.
