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Army’s Wilkinson Named Atlantic Hockey Association Defensive Player of the Week

By
Randy Schultz
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BOSTON, Mass. – After a three-point weekend last weekend, Alex Wilkinson of the Army West Point hockey team was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Defensive Player of the Week.

The junior defender posted two goals and an assist over that weekend with all three points coming on the Black Knights’ power play. In Friday’s game, Wilkinson scored Army’s two tallies before aiding in the Cadets’ second goal in Saturday’s victory.

Wilkinson is now riding a three-game point streak and ranks second nationally for power play scoring, while being first in defensive scoring in Atlantic Hockey alongside his defensive pair, Dalton MacAfee. The Black Knights’ power play ranks first in Atlantic Hockey with a .312 efficiency.

Future Sabres: Oskari Laaksonen

By
Randy Schultz
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By Warren Kozireski —

If a tree falls in a forest, but no one is there to hear it, does it still make a noise? Or in hockey terms, if a player enters the annual National Hockey League Entry Draft unranked by any of several scouting services, does he still have the talent to eventually play professional hockey?

The answer to the latter seems to be a resounding “yes” if referring to Buffalo Sabres 2017 third round selection Oskari Laaksonen.

An offensive defenseman who skates well has, since being drafted, put up four goals and 15 points in 40 games with Ilves Under-20 team in Finland and was great during international competition in 2017-18 with five goals and one assist in six games.

This season, the 6’2”, 165 lb. right shot had one goal with seven assists over the first 13 games while playing on the top pair ranking second among the team’s blueliners in ice-time. He netted his first goal on the power play Sept. 21.

“Obviously (I’ve) gained weight and got stronger and more confidence from being a year older,” Laaksonen said after a Buffalo Sabres Prospect Camp game in September.

“It’s great when the coach trusts you in every situation and I just want to make an impact there.”

The market for offensive defensemen may be better than ever elevating the draft ranking of those bearing the skills and even those not ranked among his peers a year and a half ago.

In an organization seemingly now brimming with blueline prospects, the 89th overall selection may seem unassuming, but is out to prove all of the scouts who left him off their 2017 draft list dead wrong—in time.

“Obviously I’m trying to prove myself and try not to be nervous and play my game and be myself. My main goal for this year is getting to the (Under-20) World Juniors.”

(NHL.com photo)

Comets Break AHL Sellout Streak Record at 121 Games

By
Randy Schultz
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UTICA, N.Y. – On Friday, October 19, the Comets officially set the new sellout streak record in the American Hockey League (AHL) at 121 games. The existing record, held by the St. John’s Icecaps, spanned October 10, 2011 to October 26, 2014. The Comets began their 121-game streak back on April 10, 2015, during the end of their second regular season, and have carried this streak through the duration of three full seasons. Dave Andrews, President of the AHL, will be in attendance to celebrate the milestone for the Comets organization and drop the opening puck.

In honor of the milestone, fans are encouraged to sign the commemorative banner located by the Coloring Contest Wall inside the Adirondack Bank Center at tonight’s game. The Save of the Day Foundation is also discounting 50/50 tickets to 121 for only $20.

Throughout the past 42 months, the Comets and Adirondack Bank Center have experienced a whirlwind period of growth – making it to the AHL Finals in 2015, hosting their second AHL All-Star Classic, experiencing a 26,000-square foot, $10.55-million dollar expansion project of their home, the Adirondack Bank Center, and more. But the biggest testament to the sellout streak comes from the devoted and passionate Comets fans throughout Utica and beyond; the collective effort of many has allowed the Comets to enter the AHL record books, a place they hope to stay for years to come.

“It’s such a humbling honor to be able to break the AHL sellout streak record at 121 consecutive games,” said Comets President Robert Esche. “This goal could not have been accomplished without our deserving and dedicated fan base – a group of passionate people who embrace out Comet Culture year after year.”

US Women’s National Team Roster Announced for 2018 Four Nations Cup

By
Randy Schultz
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey today announced the 23-player roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete for its fourth straight title at the 2018 Four Nations Cup from Nov. 6-10 at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The roster features 16 members of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team that won gold at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, including Cayla Barnes (Eastvale, Calif.), Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.), Hannah Brandt (Vadnais Heights, Minn.), Dani Cameranesi (Plymouth, Minn.), Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.), Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.), Kali Flanagan (Hudson, N.H.), Megan Keller (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.), Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho), Gigi Marvin (Warroad, Minn.), Sidney Morin (Minnetonka, Minn.), Kelly Pannek (Plymouth, Minn.), Emily Pfalzer (Buffalo, N.Y.), Alex Rigsby (Delafield, Wis.) and Maddie Rooney (Andover, Minn.).

Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) – 2014 Olympic silver medalist – and Annie Pankowski (Laguna Hills, Calif.) both competed as members of the 2017-18 U.S. Women’s National Team that won the 2017 Four Nations Cup in Tampa, Florida, while six others will make their Four Nations Cup debut, including Sydney Brodt (North Oaks, Minn.), Mikaela Gardner (Plainfield, Ill.), Caitrin Lonergan (Roslindale, Mass.), Morin, Emma Polusny (Mound, Minn.) and Melissa Samoskevich (Sandy Hook, Conn.).

“The Four Nations Cup provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate our player pool at the start of a new season and new quad,” said Reagan Carey (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Hockey director of women’s hockey and general manager of the U.S. Women’s National Team. “The roster contains a number of veterans of our program, but also a great mix of new players that we are excited to see compete at the international level.”

The 23 players represent 10 different states. Minnesota leads the pack with eight representatives followed by Illinois and Wisconsin, each with three. California and Massachusetts have two representatives apiece and Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire and New York all have one.

A camp will be held in Chicago from Oct. 28-Nov. 3 before the team departs for Saskatchewan. Details will be available at teamusa.usahockey.com prior to the camp. The 11 collegiate players on the roster, including Barnes, Brodt, Flanagan, Gardner, Keller, Lonergan, Pankowski, Pannek, Polusny, Rooney and Samoskevich, will join the team at the end of the camp on Nov. 2.

As part of the ongoing development process, Under-18 players Hadley Hartmetz (Phoenixville, Pa.), Caroline Harvey (Pelham, N.H.), Hannah Hogenson (Anchorage, Alaska), Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, Ill.), Dominique Petrie (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) and Skylar Vetter (Lakeville, Minn.) will join post-graduate players Savannah Harmon (Downers Grove, Ill.) and 2014 Olympic silver medalist Shelly Picard (Taunton, Mass.) to participate in the camp only. Hartmetz, Harvey, Murphy, Petrie and Vetter recently competed for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s Select Team during the Under-18 Series vs. Canada in August in Calgary, while Harmon and Picard participated in the U.S. Women’s National Team Evaluation Camp in September in Biddeford, Maine.

NOTES: The Four Nations Cup is an annual tournament that has been held in varying forms since 1996 (previously the Three Nations Cup). The U.S. will compete against Canada, Sweden and Finland in this year’s tournament. The U.S. has captured the Four Nations Cup title eight times (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011-12, 2015-17), finished second 12 times and third in the 2013 tournament. The U.S. holds an overall record of 51-5-5-23-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) in 86 Three/Four Nations Cup games … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.

LECOM Unveils Student All-Stars Program at Buffalo Sabres Games

By
Randy Schultz
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Pegula Sports & Entertainment and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) unveiled the LECOM Student All-Stars Program, one of several new educational initiatives that LECOM is presenting as part of an expanded partnership with the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Beauts. Student all-stars will be recognized on the ice with the Sabres starting lineup during five home games this season. Members of the community will be invited to nominate students from all schools for the honor.

“The Student All-Stars initiative is going to bring much-deserved recognition to some of the younger members of our community who are making a difference,” said Erica Muhleman, Pegula Sports & Entertainment’s executive vice president of business development. “The multiple programs we are announcing today further demonstrate LECOM’s commitment to making a positive impact on our community. They will reach students of many different ages and create some very memorable experiences.”

“The LECOM mission to educate future physicians, pharmacists and dentists, includes a call for community service by our students,” said LECOM President John M. Ferretti, D.O. “We’re pleased that we can be part of this effort to seek out and recognize those high school students from the Buffalo area who make an impact on their communities.”

In addition to the all-stars program, LECOM is proud to present the new LECOM Student Value Ticket, which will allow students from all schools to experience Sabres home games at a reduced price. With a valid school ID, students will be able to purchase discounted 300 Level V seats – as low as $20 – by visiting the Sabres box office or logging on to Sabres.com/StudentTickets. Instructions for ordering student tickets will also be visible in KeyBank Center’s corners, as well as on the Sabres website this season.

LECOM joined the Sabres as an Official Education Partner last season and is expanding its relationship with the One Buffalo Family, becoming an Official Education Partner of the Buffalo Beauts. LECOM will present the Beauts historic first game on KeyBank Center ice, as the professional women’s team hosts the Minnesota Whitecaps at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29. It’s part of a doubleheader that will continue when the Sabres host Boston at 7:00 p.m. Every Sabres and Beauts home game this season will also feature the LECOM T-Shirt Toss, providing souvenirs to lucky fans.

Fans are invited to nominate high school and college students from all schools who are making a positive difference in the community to be a LECOM Student All-Star. Please click here to nominate. Student all-stars will be recognized at the following games:

Friday, Nov. 23 vs. Montreal, 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8 vs. Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 12 vs. Tampa Bay, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9 vs. Detroit, 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 23 vs. Washington, 1:00 p.m.

About Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

In just 25 years, LECOM has grown to become one of the largest and one of the most affordable medical colleges in the country. Enrollment in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Dental Medicine and Master’s Degree Programs has surpassed 4,100 students at campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pa. and Bradenton, Fla. More than 10,000 LECOM graduates are providing health care to patients across the United States.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine and School of Pharmacy attract more applicants than any other program in the country by offering innovative, student-centered and affordable degree programs. LECOM medical college tuition is the second-lowest private college tuition in the country and LECOM consistently ranks in the top ten programs for graduating primary care physicians. In addition to providing healthcare providers to serve patient needs, the college also offers master’s degree programs to prepare professionals who can run the business of health care, serve the patient’s best interests and teach future physicians, pharmacists and dentists.

LECOM is the core of an osteopathic academic health center. LECOM Health is a highly innovative health care and education system that strives to add to the quality of life of our neighbors by bringing total health care to the community. Members of LECOM Health include the College, Millcreek Community Hospital, Corry Memorial Hospital, the clinical practices of Medical Associates of Erie, LECOM Senior Living Center, LECOM Senior Living Communities, LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center, LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lifeworks Erie, and Visiting Nurses Association of Erie County.

As LECOM continues to contribute to health and wellbeing for everyone, it looks forward to continued growth and preparation of future healthcare providers to provide quality care for generations to come.

SUNY Potsdam Men’s Hockey Welcomes Back Olympian Chris Lee

By
Randy Schultz
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POTSDAM, N.Y.-SUNY Potsdam Hall of Fame hockey player and 2018 Canadian Olympic Bronze Medalist Chris Lee ’04 is returning to Potsdam on Saturday, October 27, for the hockey team’s home opener. Lee’s first trip back to Potsdam since graduation will also coincide with men’s hockey Alumni Weekend.

Through four years in a Bears uniform, Lee recorded 115 points (41g, 74a), guided the Bears to a SUNYAC Finals appearance and became the program’s fifth All-American. His experience at Potsdam and immense talent then propelled him into the professional ranks. Numerous members of Potsdam’s hockey program have reached the pros, but none have achieved the success and reached the heights Lee attained in his career.

The MacTier, Ontario native played in 962 professional contests in the East Coast Hockey League, American Hockey League, Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Swedish Hockey League and Kontinental Hockey League. He amassed 600 points (152g, 448a) and nearly reached the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 and the Los Angeles Kings in 2017.

One of Lee’s greatest achievements was competing for Team Canada five times, including the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February. There, he served as an alternate captain and totaled five assists as the Canadians claimed the bronze medal.

Prior to the Bears contest against Saint Michael’s College on October 27, Potsdam will unveil a banner celebrating Lee’s career and he will drop the ceremonial first puck of the season. The Hall of Famer will also be signing autographs in Maxcy Hall’s concourse outside the main arena entrance at 6:15 p.m. before the game.

Join the Bears as they honor one of the best players in program history and kick off their home schedule for the 2018-19 season.

Hutchison, Wilkinson, Nixon and Mills Earn First Weekly Honors

By
Randy Schultz
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0

After a full weekend of games to kick-off the 2018-19 season, Atlantic Hockey has announced the first Travel Team USA Weekly Awards of the year.

Player of the Week

Nick Hutchison – Canisius
Junior, Forward – Hicksville, NY/Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Hutchinson tallied four points (3G, 1A) in leading Canisius to a split of its season-opening series at Holy Cross. He notched a goal and an assist in Friday’s loss to the Crusaders before netting two goals in the Griffs’ 7-6, come-from-behind victory in the series finale.

Defensive Player of the Week

Alex Wilkinson – Army West Point
Junior, Defense – Raleigh, NC/CT Oilers

Wilkinson posted two goals and an assist over the weekend’s two games for the Black Knights. The junior extended his point streak to three games to start the year, scoring two goals in Friday’s loss to UConn, then came back to assist on the second of Army’s three goals in a win over Merrimack on Saturday. Wilkinson also blocked five shots in the two games.

Goalie of the Week

Tommy Nixon – Holy Cross
Senior, Goalie – Sherwood Park, ALB/Sherwood Park Crusaders

In his first start in over a year, he turned aside 30 shots for a .938 save percentage and led the Crusaders to their first win. In two minutes of play on Oct. 13 before an injury took him out of the game, Nixon turned aside all four shots he faced for a weekend save percentage of .944.

Rookie of the Week

Dylan Mills – Niagara
Freshman, Forward – Cottage Grove, MN/Sioux City Muskateers

Dylan Mills made a splash in the first series of his collegiate career, notching four points (1 G, 3 A) in two games. In his debut on October 12, Mills had assists on three of Niagara’s four goals, including both tying goals and the overtime game-winner. Overall, Mills had a hand in four of Niagara’s five goals this weekend.

Amerks Expand Partnership With Bill Gray’s Iceplex

By
Randy Schultz
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0

(Rochester, NY) — The Rochester Americans, in conjunction with Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, announced a new season-long partnership designed to grow and promote the game of hockey at all levels.
Bill Gray’s Iceplex, which continues to serve as the official practice facility of the Amerks, currently offers hockey programming for all ages and skill levels specifically aimed at providing an all-around experience for participants. The on-ice session focuses primarily on skill and tactical development with a heavy emphasis on the game’s fundamentals, such as skating, passing and shooting. The programs also offer an increased awareness on the importance of proper technique and methodology all within the comfort of a fun environment that allows the individual to learn through having fun.
Through the expanded partnership, Amerks players, coaches and Alumni members will be available to help provide on-ice instruction so that participants are able to learn first-hand from some of the game’s top professionals.
“As an organization, we’re continuously looking at ways of introducing the game of hockey to new and active audiences,” said Amerks vice president of business operations Rob Minter. “By partnering with Bill Gray’s Iceplex and supporting the various programs they’re currently offering, it allows us the opportunity to aid in the growth and development of the sport at both the youth and adult level while also reaching a deeper level of engagement with our fans.”
“Our operational model is built upon the core foundation of fiercely growing the game of ice hockey in the Greater Rochester area,” said Chris Woodworth, general manager of Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. “We share this passion with the Rochester Americans, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with them on this initiative. This partnership will allow us to continue growing our entry-level hockey programming, which teaches hundreds of locals the greatest game on earth each year.”
Through this partnership, a progression of programming will be offered, ranging from learning to skate with advancement paths into hockey programs for both youth and adults.
Skating 101 (all ages program) is the starting point for anyone who has a desire to learn how to play ice hockey. This eight-week program teaches all participants the fundamentals of ice skating, the building block for advancing into ice hockey. For full program information and online registration, visit https://bgri.fun/skating101.
Hockey 101 (ages 4 to 8) is the entry program for children to learn the game of ice hockey. This 8-week program is free for all first-time participants, and includes a complimentary loaner equipment kit, eliminating all costs in starting out in the sport. For full program information and online registration, visit https://bgri.fun/hockey101.
The Never Ever League (18+) is a widely popular learn to play hockey program for adults. This co-ed program is designed for the true beginner, and since its inception in 2012, has taught over 1,000 adults how to play the game of hockey. For full program information and online registration, visit https://bgri.fun/neverever.
For additional information about Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, visit billgraysiceplex.com, or call 585-424-GOAL.
Amerks 2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships, which start as low as just $12 per game, are on-sale now. Full-season ticket member benefits include, but are not limited to, Riverside Club VIP Room access with Amerks Alumni, family meet and greet and annual Skate with the Players event, an exclusive preseason Ice Breaker Party and Chalk Talk with the Amerks coaching staff, your very own Season Ticket Member ID and Discount Card and much more. For more information, visit www.amerks.com/seasontickets or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS.
About Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex
Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex is a 186,000-square foot, participatory sports facility centrally located on the campus of Monroe Community College, in Rochester N.Y. It is home to four NHL-sized ice rinks, with the feature rink inside Lattimore Arena, which is capable of seating 3,000 spectators. The facility is home to a Bill Grays Restaurant & Tap Room, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Coffee ETC Cafe, Iceplex Concessions, Locker Room Sports Retail Hockey Store, Parisi Speed School, Legacy Global Sports Event Management, Lattimore Physical Therapy, Iceplex Fitness and a Visit Rochester Tourism Center. It also serves as the practice and training facility for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

The Iceplex is one of North America’s premier large-scale tournament venues, hosting numerous hockey events throughout the calendar year with teams competing from all over North America. It is also home to numerous hockey organizations, hosts of a wide range of third-party events, as well as managers of a diverse portfolio of internally run programs, leagues and special events.

Clarkson Still No. 1 In Women’s College Hockey Poll

By
Randy Schultz
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Clarkson Holds #1 Spot in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Poll

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine
2018-19 Women’s College Hockey Poll – Week #4
(First-place votes in parentheses)

Rank
School
Last Week’s Rank
2018-19 Record
Weeks in Top 10
1. Clarkson University, 188 (17) 1 6-0-0 4
2.
University of Wisconsin, 173 (2)

2 6-0-0 4
3. University of Minnesota, 152 3 5-0-1 4
4. Ohio State University, 123 5 5-1-0 4
5. University of Minnesota Duluth, 109 4 2-3-1 4
6. Boston College, 91 6 3-2-0 4
7. Cornell University, 72 T7 0-0-0 4
8. Northeastern University, 61 9 2-1-1 4
9. Colgate University, 48 T7 3-3-0 4
10. University of Maine, 13 — 4-0-0 1

This Week’s Top 10
Matchups

Friday, Oct. 19

No. 4 Ohio State
at
No. 3 Minnesota

No. 10 Maine
at
No. 8 Northeastern

Saturday, Oct. 20

No. 4 Ohio State
at
No. 3 Minnesota

Others Receiving Votes: Mercyhurst University, 7; St. Lawrence University, 5; Providence College, 2; University of Connecticut, 1.

Notes: The WCHA has four teams in the rankings, while ECAC Hockey and the Hockey East Association each have three. To view past polls, click here.

About the Poll: The 22nd annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the four NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.

Pat Sofia Named Assistant AD for Athletic and Hockey Operations

By
Randy Schultz
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0

ROCHESTER, NY – Lou Spiotti Jr., Executive Director of Athletics at RIT, is proud to announce the appointment of Pat Sofia as Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic and Hockey Operations. Sofia will serve in a variety of roles, including an administrator for both Division I hockey programs and game management for all 24 RIT athletics programs.

Most recently, Sofia spent two seasons as Hockey Operations Coordinator for the RIT women’s hockey team, where he handled administrative, travel and equipment related responsibilities.

“Pat brings a unique and critical skill set to this role,” said Spiotti. “His hands-on expertise, customer service orientation and strong relations with both internal and external stakeholders will be a welcomed addition to our leadership team in Athletics.”

Sofia, originally from the Rochester suburb of Greece, spent three seasons (2013-16) with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) as an equipment assistant. Sofia served primarily as the visiting team liaison, while assisting with other duties.

“I could not be more excited and thankful for this opportunity with the RIT athletics department,” said Sofia. “It’s truly an honor to be able to develop my professional career under Mr. Spiotti and the entire administrative staff. I am looking forward to working as a team in continuing the advancement of RIT athletics.”

A 2016 graduate of St. John Fisher, Sofia received his bachelor’s degree in sports management. He is a 2009 graduate of Greece Athena High School. Sofia was captain of the Greece Thunder boy’s hockey team that won the 2008-09 New York State Championship. He was teammates with former RIT standout goaltender Mike Rotolo.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Pat join us at such a critical time of the year and look forward to watching him grow and make many contributions to Tiger Athletics in the coming years,” said Spiotti.

 

Amerks Weekly Report

By
Randy Schultz
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0

**This Week’s Storylines**

**After dropping their first two games to open the 2018-18 regular season, the Rochester Americans have won three straight to improve to 3-2-0-0 on the season following a two-game sweep over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this weekend. The successful weekend puts the Amerks into a three-way tie for first place in the AHL’s North Division standings with Binghamton and Cleveland entering the week. The Devils, however, have a game in hand of Rochester.

**With today’s overtime-victory, the Amerks have improved to 4-1-1-0 in their last six meetings against the Sound Tigers. Additionally, Rochester has won back-to-back games in Bridgeport for the first time in franchise history.

**Amerks rookie forward Victor Olofsson finds himself atop the Amerks scoring leaders after posting back-to-back multi-point efforts over the weekend, including the game-winning goal in both games. Olofsson broke a 3-3 tie with a minute remaining in regulation in Saturday’s 4-3 win over Bridgeport before netting the game-winner 1:46 into overtime in Sunday’s rematch with the Sound Tigers. Olofsson paces all rookies and is tied for third overall in the AHL with a team-high eight points (3+5) through his first five games of the season. He also leads all AHL skaters with five power-play points and enters the week on a three-game point streak, all multi-point efforts. His 14 shot are also tied for most among league rookies.

** After enjoying a career-setting year in 2017-18, Zach Redmond has picked up where he left off this season as he shows seven points (2+5) through his first five games to lead all AHL defensemen in scoring. Redmond also currently leads all blueliners in power-play scoring with six points (2+4) and ranks second with 16 shots on goal, seven of which came in Sunday’s overtime win.

**Rookie Lawrence Pilut sits at a close second behind only Redmond as he paces all first-year defenseman in overall scoring with six points (2+4). Pilut, last year’s SHL Defenseman of the Year, has recorded all but one of his six points on the power-play this season, including his two goals, which are tied for the most among all AHL defensemen.

**Rochester forward Wayne Simpson is the AHL’s current leader in consecutive games played with 192. The Boxborough, Mass., native appeared in all 76 games with the Hershey Bears and Providence Bruins over each of the last two seasons prior to joining the Amerks this summer.

**With two wins through his first two starts this season, goaltender Adam Wilcox is 4-0-1 in his last five appearances dating back to the 2017-18 campaign.

**Alexander Nylander enters the week riding a four-game point streak, tied for the second-longest in the AHL. Nylander has one goal and four assists over that span, placing him fourth on the team in scoring.

** With six combined power-play goals over its last three games, Rochester currently has the fourth-best power-play in the AHL with a 31.8% conversion rate. Entering this week, the Amerks are also one of only two teams to record seven goals with the man-advantage so far this season, joining the Springfield Thunderbirds.
**This Week’s Schedule**

Monday, Oct. 15
Day Off

Tuesday, Oct. 16
Practice – 10:30 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena

Wednesday, Oct. 17
Morning Skate – 10:00 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Road Game @ Utica Comets – 7:00 p.m. at Adirondack Bank Center

Thursday, Oct. 18
Practice – 11:30 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena

Friday, Oct. 19 – Hocktoberfest!
Practice – 10:00 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Home Game vs. Toronto Marlies – 7:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena

Saturday, Oct. 20
Away Game at Belleville Senators – 7:00 p.m. at Yardmen Arena

Sunday, Oct. 21
Day Off

Time and locations are always subject to change.
Warren S. Kosel Ryan J. Harr
Director of Public and Media Relations Public and Media Relations Coordinator
(585) 286-9928 (585) 286-9940
warren.kosel@amerks.com ryan.harr@amerks.com

Amerks’ Olofsson Selected CCM/AHL Player of The Week

By
Randy Schultz
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0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Rochester Americans forward Victor Olofsson has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending October 14, 2018.

Olofsson scored three goals – including two dramatic game-winners – and added four assists for seven points in three games last week as Rochester went 3-0-0-0.

On Wednesday night, Olofsson scored his first career AHL goal and chipped in two assists to help Rochester double up Syracuse, 6-3. On Saturday in Bridgeport, Olofsson assisted on the tying goal early in the third period before scoring the winner with 59.4 seconds remaining, lifting the Amerks to a 4-3 victory. And in Sunday’s rematch with the Sound Tigers, Olofsson duplicated the feat: he set up the tying goal early in the third, and put home the game-winner at 1:46 of overtime as Rochester won, 3-2.

Olofsson, 23, has picked up three goals and five assists for eight points in his first five games this season, one point off the AHL scoring lead. A seventh-round choice by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Draft, Olofsson is in his first season of play in North America after 200 games in the Swedish Hockey League, where he scored a league-best 27 goals for Frolunda in 2017-18.

In recognition of being named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week, Olofsson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Americans home game.

Lasorda Still A Big Fan of Hockey

By
Randy Schultz
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0

DEAR READER:

With the Major League playoffs in full swing, I thought I would share one more baseball crossover to hockey feature. I’ve already shared the Yogi Berra story and his thoughts on hockey.

This letter is about another Hall of Famer. The heart and soul of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization: Tommy Lasorda.

On one of our many visits to California, I had the opportunity to stop by Dodger Stadium to have a hockey chat with Lasorda. Sitting in his office, which overlooks the beautiful baseball diamond located inside the Stadium, it didn’t take me long to figure out how much the former Dodgers manager knows about hockey.

Lasorda will be the first to tell you that he’s never skated very well. Yet, outside of baseball, he considers hockey one of the greatest sports he has ever seen. The Baseball Hall of Famer has been a big fan of hockey for well over 60 years. His love of the game harkens back to his early days in pro baseball as a member of the Montreal Royals of the International League.

While Montreal was considered an outstanding baseball city back in the 1950s, it has always been a Mecca for hockey. And Lasorda was right in the middle of it.

‘The Montreal Canadiens had a great, great team at that time, especially in the mid-50s,” recalled Lasorda, who managed the Dodgers for 20 seasons. “I got to know a lot of the players who played for the Canadiens during that era.

“In fact, (former Canadiens Hall of Famer) Butch Bouchard was the president of our baseball team during that time. I got to know Toe Blake, Doug Harvey, Rocket Richard, Boom Boom Geoffrion and Jacques Plante, among others.”

Lasorda, a former pitcher during his playing days, fondly recalled his relationship with “The Rocket” Richard.

“Rocket was really a very nice and easy-going guy any time I was around him,” said Lasorda, who pitched in the Major Leagues for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Kansas City Athletics. “Off the ice he was a great guy. But on the ice was another story. He had that look that could really scare you.

“He as probably the greatest hockey player that ever played in Montreal.”

Lasorda also remembered many of the Canadiens loving baseball and trying their hand at it at one time or another.

“A lot of the guys would come out to see the Royals play and work out with the team,” commented Lasorda., who still attends many Kings games today in Los Angeles. “Those guys loved baseball. Doug Harvey was one heck of a baseball player. Jean Beliveau was another great baseball player. I believe that he was even scouted by a few baseball scouts when he was growing up near Montreal.

“Of course he chose hockey and had an outstanding (Hall of Fame) career.”

If Lasorda could have been a hockey player, what position would he have played?

“I think I would have been a rather good defenseman,” Lasorda answered. “I would have been the type of defenseman who would have been a bit more defensive in his play. I would have been the guy who would take the opponent and drive them up against the boards.

“I don’t think you would have seen me scoring too many goals.”

Until Next Time,

Randy Schultz

Beauts Blank Whale, Again

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Beauts exploded for seven goals and goaltender Shannon Szabados turned aside 22 shots to defeat the Connecticut Whale, 7-0 at KeyBank Rink Saturday afternoon.

The Beauts have now held the Whale scoreless for six consecutive period, having blanked them last weekend in Connecticut, 4-0. Nicole Hensley was the Beauts netminder for that contest.

“I think we may have the best D-corps in the league,” said Szabados. “It makes it so easy on us (goalies). It’s playing the puck, keeping shots to the outside. They are really fun to play behind.”

Leading by three, the Beauts broke the game wide open in the third period, scoring four goals. Lisa Chesson ((5:44), Hayley Scamurra (8:33), Julianna Iafallo (12:22) and Corinne Buie (14:33) all scored for Buffalo. The Beauts outshot the Whale in each period, including the final period, 10-9, and for the game, 34-22.

“We’re definitely happy,” said Beauts head coach, Ric Seiling. “We’re still learning our players.

“We weren’t too happy with the second period, the way we preformed. We knew that we were a better team than we showed in the second period.

“We made a couple of changes and tried a couple of different things and all of a sudden it lit up again.  As coaches we’re still learning and in the process of who plays well together. We made those changes going into the third.”

Buffalo added a goal in the second period when Maddie Elia scored at 10:59. The Beauts dominated play again outshooting the Whale 9-5 for the period and 24-13 for two periods.

The Beauts jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Savannah Harmon at 9:48 and Annika Zalewski a little more than a minute later (10:54). Buffalo dominated play in the period, outshooting Connecticut 15-8.

NOTES: With her assist on Zalewski’s goal and her own goal Hayley Scamurra has six points in the first two regular season games for the Beauts…Whale’s starting goaltender Meeri Raisanen was pulled at the 8:33 mark of the third period, giving up five goals on 29 shots.

 

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