To all faithful subscribers:
I thank you for your patience with me...here is everything I have been able
to put together at the moment. I have been extremely busy lately...you'll see
soon but it's kind of hush hush right now.

In the most recent game, the Americans took on an Empire Division rival, the
Hamilton Bulldogs in a battle for first place. Actually, the Amerks were the
only ones battling; the Bulldogs had moved into a tie with the Albany River
Rats while the Amerks were in a slump. Rochester came into the game and
destroyed Bulldogs goalie Steve Passmore once again, coming home with a 5-1
victory. Points leader Domenic Pittis notched two goals in the first period
to give the Americans and early lead. His first found the back of the net at
14:22 and his second flew past Passmore less than a minute later. At 14:37 of
the second period, Matt Davidson notched his thirteenth of the season and four
minutes later Dean Sylvester buried a 45 foot slapper in the net for his
twelfth of the year. Pittis completed a hat-trick when he converted on an
Amerks power-play opportunity late in the final period. In the game,
Rochester outshot Hamilton 41-21.
At home against the Adirondack Red Wings, another Empire Division rival, the
Americans settled for a tie in their first game of 1999. Rochester scored
first at 12:30 of the opening period. Domenic Pittis put the Amerks up by
one, assisted by Denis Hamel and Craig Fisher. Adirondack tied the game on a
power-play in the early minutes of the middle period until Rochester regained
the lead five minutes later on Scotty Nichol's goal. Nichol was assisted by
Jason Holland and Randy Cunneyworth. Former American Doug Houda added the
tying goal at 14:32 for Adirondack as scoring came to an end in the second
period. Martin Biron stopped 25 of Adirondack's 27 shots while Rochester put
30 shots on net. Pittis was the game's first star and Scott Nichol was the
third star. Houda earned second start honors.
In their final game of 1998, Rochester pummeled the Fredericton Canadiens for
a 5-1 victory. Craig Fisher put the Americans on the board to open the game
at 3:18 with help coming from the sticks of Denis Hamel and Domenic Pittis.
Fredericton converted a power-play in the first period to tie the game and
earn their only score against Sabre Dwayne Roloson, down from Buffalo for a
preparation assignment. A three-goal second period followed, with Craig
Fisher scoring two more and Matt Davidson also netting a goal. Scott Nichol,
Mike Hurlbut, Domenic Pittis, Cory Sarich and Dean Sylvester earned assists on
the goals. In the third period, Dean Melanson finished off the Canadiens with
a power-play conversion at 19:59. Roloson finished the game with 17 saves.
He is 2-0 in an Amerks uniform this season. Craig Fisher's hat-trick earned
first star honors, Domenic Pittis earned the game's second star and Jason
Holland was the third star of the game.

More information on the Rochester Americans:

Jason Mansoff and Shane Kenny remain on the injured list, Mansoff with a
herniated disk in his back and Kenny with a broken hand. Kenny is out 4-6
weeks and Mansoff is out indefinately.

Martin Biron was selected to start for the Canadian Team in the AHL All-Star
Game, along with defensemen Dean Melanson and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre.

Alexi Tezikov finally played his first professional hockey game after coming
to terms with the Buffalo Sabres. Tezikov, who had been playing with the
Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, made his debut in the victory at Hamilton.

Last but not least, I PROMISE to keep these updates coming on a more regular
basis. If I don't, someone please drop me a note to remind me. The Americans
play at home tonight against the Providence Bruins. An update will be
circulated before Sunday afternoon.

Until then,

Jon D. LeRoy,
Moderator,
amerks@onelist.com