The Rochester Americans closed out the year 2000 with a home-and-home series
against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Rochester entered Friday night's
home game six points under the Mid-Atlantic Division-leading Penguins and
came home Saturday night four points down. A tie at the Blue Cross Arena and
a victory at First Union Center in Pennsylvania closed out the regular-season
contests between the two teams, who still have half a season remaining.

Rochester scored first Friday night to take an early 2-0 lead, but a Penguins
rally forced overtime. Todd Nelson's third goal of the season put the Amerks
on the board at 11:03 of the first period, assisted by Craig Charron and
Darren VanOene. Paul Traynor's first AHL goal came only 6:50 later, and gave
Rochester the two-goal advantage. Traynor was assisted by Charron and Ryan
Brindley. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton came out in the 2nd period and scored at
8:28, and again at 5:11 of the third to force a regulation tie and an
overtime period. Neither team converted and both teams left the BCA for
Pennsylvania. Mika Noronen stopped 25 of 27 shots on goal to improve his
record to 8-6-1 on the season. Rochester's offense put together 30 shots on
goal, but was unable to convert any of their six power-play opportunities.

On Saturday night, a scoreless first period led to a flurry of goals in the
second. The Penguins drew first blood two minutes in on a power-play, then
added a second short-handed goal a little more than five minutes later.
Jason Cipolla's seventh of the season put the red, white and blue on the
board for the first time at 8:25, assisted by Francois Methot. Chris
Taylor's team-leading 13th score of the seaon came short-handed at 12:12;
assists were awarded to Jeremy Adduono and Brian Campbell. Darren VanOene
gave Rochester the lead for the first time at the 16:00 mark with his 4th of
the year, assisted by Taylor and Jason Holland.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied the game up at 8:16 of the final period, but
Taylor's second goal of the evening proved to be the game winner at 14:38.
Assists were from Joe Murphy and Jason Holland. Mika Noronen was back in
goal for the Americans, stopping 20 of 23 and improving his record to 9-6-1.
Rochester put 23 shots on goal but was unable to convert on power-play
opportunities for the second straight night.

The Amerks get a breather today before hosting 3 games in five days while
traveling to Hamilton on Wednesday. On New Year's Day, the Amerks host
Phildelphia, then the Norfolk Admirals on Thursday and Worcester on Friday.
Look for post-game recaps and other Amerks information coming your way on
amerks@egroups.com!

Go Amerks!

Jon D. LeRoy,
List Owner/Moderator