MARCH IS TRULY THE MONTH OF MADNESS FOR AMERKS
Mar 7, 2023By Suzie Cool
It seems we’ve been talking about the rigorous stretch the Rochester Americans have been facing for about a month now, however, the month of March proves to be the tallest task to date for the team.
The first three games of March have already come and gone, and while the Amerks took away just one point in those three contests, there’s still a lot more hockey left to be played. A dozen more games to be exact.
“It’s important, right now, to have depth,” said Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked about the month ahead. And that was tested this week. “Your depth is going to be tested. You need everybody and, right now, March has us pretty much playing every other day.”
The Amerks head coach isn’t being facetious either.
Rochester is in action 12 times over the next 24 days. That’s pretty much playing every other day, not leaving much room for rest and recovery heading into a playoff push.
“We’re going to need to find a way to get a lot of wins to make sure we secure that playoff position, and we're going to need contributions from everybody up and down the lineup.”
Here’s a closer look at what Rochester has on deck over the next 24 days.
THIS WEEK – MAR. 6TH – 12TH
This week, the Amerks have their first of two three-in-three weekends this month. On Friday, the Amerks host the Hartford Wolf Pack at The Blue Cross Arena before heading to Upstate Medical Arena to face-off against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday and returning home on Sunday for an afternoon matinee against the North Division-leading Toronto Marlies.
Friday’s 7:05 p.m. puck drop in the Flower City just happens to be Irish Night, presented by Rohrbach Brewing Company. You can kick off your St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations off right at The Blue Cross Arena, where the first 2,000 fans will receive Amerks and Rohrbach-branded steins. Among the steins, 100 will include a voucher to participate in The Pot of Gold punch board, located in The Hall of Fame in the Genesee Brew House, for a chance to win a prize.
On Sunday, the Amerks are celebrating Halfway to Halloween Night, presented by Pepsi. Kids are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes for the game. Children ages 12 or younger will have the opportunity to trick-or-treat on the suite level during intermissions as well as the chance to participate in other costume-themed promotions, including a mummy-wrapping contest and bobbing for apples.
NEXT WEEK – MAR. 13TH – 19TH
Next week, Rochester is faced with three games over a four-day span.
On Wednesday, Mar. 15, the Amerks will take on the Laval Rocket for the final time of the 2022-23 regular season before hitting the road for a weekend trip to Pennsylvania. On Friday, Mar. 17, Rochester close out its season series with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, while wrapping up its last big road trip of the year on Saturday, Mar. 18, against the Hershey Bears in a battle of the AHL’s two oldest teams.
Mar. 15 against the Rocket falls on Global Recycling Day, presented by Sunnking. Global Recycling Day is recognized yearly on March 18 and promotes the importance of recycling and its positive impact across the globe. The game will feature ticket deals as well as a reusable bag giveaway to the first 700 fans.
THE WEEK AFTER THAT – MAR. 20TH – 26TH
The week after that, or the week of Mar. 20, happens to be the Amerks busiest week of the month featuring a makeup game that Tuesday and their second of two three-in-three weekends during the month.
On Tuesday, Mar. 21, the Amerks take on the Syracuse Crunch at the usual 7:05 p.m. This game is being made up from the postponement on Dec. 23 due to inclement on weather.
The rest of the week shakes out with two divisional opponents and one final get-together against the Bears on Friday, Mar. 24 at home. Rochester then heads to the Adirondack Bank Center on Saturday, Mar. 25 to take on the Utica Comets before their final home matinee game of the year against the Cleveland Monsters on Sunday, Mar. 26.
For the second straight year, the Amerks will celebrate Women in Sport Night, presented by Zweigle’s, Friday against Hershey, honoring women across various areas and levels of the professional sport industry. Prior to the game, the Amerks are hosting an in-person Women in Sport panel featuring members of the Amerks front office and other industry leaders, including Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) Athletic Director, Jacqueline Nicholson, and American Hockey League Vice President of Hockey Operations, Hayley Moore.
While the Amerks wrap up the week’s action on Sunday, they’ll finish it up with their second annual Bills Day, presented by UR Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. To look the part, the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive custom Amerks zubaz-style socks, and the Amerks players will sport new specialty Bills-inspired jerseys for the game. Select fans will also have the chance to win autographed Bills merchandise and other team apparel throughout the game.
THE FINAL WEEK OF MARCH – MAR. 27TH – MAR. 31ST
When the Amerks get to the final week in March, they’re faced with just two more games before heading into April full throttle.
On Wednesday, Mar. 29, Rochester takes on the Monsters at The Blue Cross Arena before bringing the month to a close on Friday, Mar. 31 in Utica.
Twenty-four days. Twelve games. A lot of hockey. And a playoff push.
Buckle up, Amerks fans.