Philadelphia, PA: ROCHESTER AMERICANS 4, Philadelphia Phantoms 1

The Rochester Americans continued their hot streak on the road (15-1-1 in the
last 17) yesterday, defeating the Philadelphia Phantoms by a score of 4-1,
taking a 3-1 series lead on the season. The game also signaled a significant
shift in the Rochester defense for upcoming games.
Mkike Hurlbut scored his 13th goal of the season unassisted at 4:25 of the
opening period on the power-play to give the Amerks a 1-0 lead. Philadelphia
tied the game at 11:24 of the period before Dean Sylvester regained the
Rochester lead with his 24th of the year. Mike Harder and Darren VanOene
assisted on the score at 13:48 of the first period.
VanOene earned his own goal at 17:14 of the second period to finish with two
points on the night. Harder and Cory Sarich assisted on the goal, VanOene's
ninth of the year. Domenic Pittis, who seems to not finish a game without
earning a point, scored Rochester's last goal of the game at 18:11. Pittis'
26th of the year was assisted by Craig Fisher and Matt Davidson.
Tom Draper continued to show great poise in the Rochester pipes as he stopped
30 of 31 Philadelphia shots on goal to improve his record to 12-7-2 on the
year. In addition, Draper stopped another penalty shot during his current
starting stint early in the second period to preserve the Amerks' three-goal
lead. Rochester put 21 shots on goal during the game and were 1 for 5 on the
power-play. The team was also penalized six times for twelve minutes.
The win brings Rochester one win closer to the American Hockey League record
for most road wins. In doing so, they set a franchise road-win record at 22.
They need three more to set the AHL record. The defensive unit for the
Americans is also on a record pace. The unit is only allowing 2.13 goals per
game and are on pace to allow only 170 goals this season; the AHL record they
are on pace to destroy currently stands at 201.
However, defensive changes were made during the course of game day. Darren
Rumble, signed by the Amerks on loan from the Grand Rapids Griffins was
recalled by the Griffins before he ever set foot in an Amerks uniform. Jean-
Luc Grand-Pierre, who played extremely well in his NHL debut with the Buffalo
Sabres in late February and early March, was recalled by the Sabres after
yesterday's game as well. Grand-Pierre joined the Amerks in the middle of the
just-completed road trip and is now up in Buffalo until further notice.
The Amerks are off until Friday, when they host the Albany River Rats for the
third time in their last four home games. Look for updates concerning recent
transactions, injury reports and other Rochester Americans information to come
during the week!

Go Amerks!
Jon D. LeRoy,
Moderator,
Sr. GA Correspondent