GAMEDAY NOTES & QUOTES: TUESDAY, MARCH 21
Lineup notes & quotes from Coach Appert ahead of tonight's game
Mar 21, 2023The Rochester Americans host the Syracuse Crunch in a rescheduled match-up, originally scheduled for Friday, December 23, but postponed due to weather. Now, the game has a bigger impact in the playoff push: the Crunch sit just four points ahead of the Amerks in the North Division.
LINEUP NOTES
Goaltender Malcolm Subban gets the start in net tonight. Subban started two of three games last week, and posted his second shutout of the season last Wednesday against the Laval Rocket.
Forward Brandon Biro, who did not play on Saturday night in Hershey, is out week-to-week with lower-body.
Forward Tyson Kozak, who skated with the team today is day-to-day (lower-body). “He’s not in tonight, but he’s getting a lot closer,” Amerks head coach Set Appert said after morning skate today. “If the rest of this week goes well, there’s a good potential we could see him this weekend.
Forward Kohen Olischefski, who was recalled from the Cincinnati Cyclones yesterday, will center a line tonight. “Our center depth is being tested right now,” Appert noted.
“Olischefski did a good job when he was up with us last year and earlier this year, and he’s playing very good in Cincinnati. We’re excited to get him in tonight.”
Appert noted that the lineup will return to six defenseman tonight, instead of the seven that played last week.
WORTH MENTIONING
Mason Jobst has ten points in his last ten games, including six goals.
Linus Weissbach is one point away from a 40-point season. He would join Rochester forwards Lukas Rousek and Brandon Biro.
Kohen Olischefski has 26 points (9 goals, 17 assists) in 43 games for the Cincinnati Cyclones this season.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
The Syracuse Crunch return to Rochester 5-4-1-0 in their last ten games, and come off a win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday. Sitting just four points ahead of Rochester in the North Division standings, the Crunch are sure to compete hard to keep their spot.
“They’re a very demanding team to play against,” Appert said. “They have a physical, big d-core. They make the game hard on you.”
The Amerks saw that the last time they were in Syracuse, dropping the game against the Crunch 4-2. Brett Murray and Mason Jobst found the back of the net for Rochester.
Forward Alex Barre-Boulet leads the Crunch with 69 points so far this season, which ranks him second in the entire league in scoring. Barre-Boulet and Gabriel Dumont, Appert mentioned, are elite American League players: “When you have that kind of firepower from your veterans, they’re dangerous.”
Defenseman Darren Raddysh, who ranks second on the Crunch squad in scoring with 51 points, is currently with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Goaltender Max Lagace has played in 33 games so far this season, earning a 13-11-6 record. Against the Amerks, he’s 3-3 with 21 goals against.
Rookie netminder Hugo Alnefelt has appeared in 27 games so far for the Crunch, with a 15-9-1 record. He earned the win on Saturday night for Syracuse.
GAME NIGHT INFORMATION
All tickets purchased for the original game date on Friday, December 23 will be honored tonight. Tonight’s game marks the first of four games for the Amerks this week: three at home, and one on the road.
Tonight's Jersey Mike's Hot Players: Jiri Kulich, Mason Jobst, and Jeremy Davies. If a Hot Player scores, you can get 50% off your meal tomorrow at Jersey Mike's. If a Hot Player scores a hat trick, you can get a free sub!
This March, we’re partnering with Jersey Mike's to celebrate their 13th annual Month of Giving! You can donate to Special Olympics New York all month long through the Jersey Mike’s app or onsite. Mark your calendars now: join us on Wednesday, March 29 for the Day of Giving: 100% of that day's sales will be donated to Special Olympics New York!
COMING UP THIS WEEK
The Amerks are hosting Women in Sport Night, presented by Zweigles, on Friday, March 24, against the Hershey Bears. You can hear from Meghan Chayka of Stathletes, Anna Dua of NHL & NHL Fantasy, Hayley Moore of the AHL, and Jackie Nicholson from RIT in a pregame panel. Tickets are only $10 using code WIS and the panel begins at 6pm.
The Amerks are hosting their second annual Bills Day, presented by Golisano Children’s Hospital, on Sunday, March 26 against the Cleveland Monsters. The Amerks will wear specialty Bills-inspired jerseys, which will be up for auction online via DASH. The first 2,500 fans will receive Amerks-branded zubaz socks to really get in the Bills Mafia spirit!
It will be a football meets hockey atmosphere that you don’t want to miss, and we have a few surprises that will make you want to shout HEY HEY HEY! In addition to jerseys, you can bid on player-autographed pucks designed by patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The auction opens at noon on Wednesday and runs through 8pm on Monday, benefitting Golisano Children’s Hospital.
