**This Week’s Storylines**
PILING UP THE POINTS
The Amerks have collected 15 out of a possible 16 points over their last eight games, which includes an eight-game point streak that began with a 6-3 win against the Syracuse Crunch on Oct. 10. It’s Rochester’s longest point streak since the team went on a 10-game point streak from Nov. 22 to Dec. 13 last season. The Amerks enter the week in first place in the North Division standings and tied for third overall in AHL with 15 points through their first 10 games of the season.
OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION
Having outscored the opposition 35-20 during their recent eight-game point streak, the Amerks are currently tied with Milwaukee for the most goals scored with 39, including a league-best 13 on the power-play. Rochester also shares the eighth-best offense in the AHL, averaging 3.90 goals-per-game.
ROC-STAR STATUS
The Amerks own three of the AHL’s top four point-getters coming into the week in forward Victor Olofsson and defensemen Zach Redmond and Lawrence Pilut.
Olofsson – leads the AHL in scoring despite seeing is seven-game point streak end Saturday night that included four multi-point efforts. The 23-year-old forward recorded 14 points (5+9) during his streak and has been held scoreless just twice through his first 10 games of the campaign. Olofsson, who was named the AHL’s Player of the Week for period ending Oct. 14, currently paces all AHL skaters with 15 points (5+10) and is tied for 12th with five goals. Additionally, he leads the AHL with eight power-play assists while his 29 shots are tied for 14th-most among league leaders.
Redmond – After enjoying a career-setting year in 2017-18, defenseman Zach Redmond has picked up where he left off this season as he shows 14 points (6+8) through his first 10 games to lead the league in scoring amongst defensemen. Redmond also currently sits atop the league in power-play scoring with nine points (5+4) as five of his goals this season have come on the man-advantage and currently ranks second among defensemen with 31 shots on goal. With points in nine straight games, he owns the longest active point streak in the league.
Pilut – After missing two games due to injury and returning to the blueline, Lawrence Pilut is off to a hot start in his North American debut, ranking second behind only Redmond in points by a defenseman with 13 points (2+11) in eight games. Pilut, last year’s SHL Defenseman of the Year, has recorded all but five of his 13 points on the power-play this season, including his two goals, which are tied for fourth-most among all AHL blueliners. He enters the week after on the heels of a five-game point streak (1+11), which began with a three-point effort (1+2) against the Syracuse Crunch on Oct. 10.
IRON MAN SIMPSON
Rochester forward Wayne Simpson is the AHL’s current leader in consecutive games played with 197. 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. Through his first 10 games with the Amerks, Simpson has tallied two goals and two assists, including a two-point effort (1+1) at Belleville on Saturday, Oct. 20.
POTENT POWER-PLAY
With an AHL-best 13 power-play goals through its first 10 games, Rochester boasts the top ranked power-play unit in the Eastern Conference with a 29.5% conversion rate.
HOME AND HOME WITH THE BEARS
The oldest rivalry in the American Hockey League will be renewed on Friday, Nov. 2 in Rochester as the Amerks welcome the Hershey Bears back to The Blue Cross Arena for the only time this season. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will be the first of a home-and-home series and the 457th all-time meeting between the league’s two cornerstone franchises. Both contests can be heard live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM ESPN Rochester and viewed on AHLTV.
**This Week’s Schedule**
Monday, Oct. 29
Practice – 10:30 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Practice – 10:30 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Practice – 10:30 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Thursday, Nov. 1
Practice – 10:30 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Friday, Nov. 2
Morning Skate – 10:00 a.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Home Game vs. Hershey Bears – 7:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena
Saturday, Nov. 3
Away Game @ Hershey Bears – 7:00 p.m. at The Giant Center
Sunday, Nov. 4
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
[email protected] [email protected]
