After a weekend that saw a season-high four-game losing skid turn into a two-game winning streak, the Rochester Americans have once again reclaimed the top spot in the American Hockey League’s North Division heading into the New Year. With the team continuing its fight to remain among the top of the league standings, the Amerks will usher in the start of 2010 with three straight games on the road, beginning with back-to-back divisional matchups. This week, Rochester takes to the road for midweek tilts with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Lake Erie Monsters before kicking off a new decade against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Rochester kicks off its week on the road as it heads north of the border for a divisional bout with the Hamilton Bulldogs on Wednesday, December 30th at Copps Coliseum. The 7:30 p.m. contest will be the fifth of 10 scheduled meetings this season between the two teams. Rochester is 3-0-1-0 this season after outscoring Hamilton 17-10 through the previous four encounters. The Amerks are 66-51-9 lifetime against the Montreal Canadiens’ affiliate. Rochester returns to Quicken Loans Arena for the second time in a week to take on the Lake Erie Monsters in its final game of 2009 on Wednesday, December 31st at 5:00 pm. The game will be the fourth of eight meetings between the North Division rivals this season. The Amerks are 1-1-1-0 this season and 7-7-1 all-time against the Monsters. The Amerks will ring in the New Year and complete their three-game in four-night stretch as they face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday, January 2nd at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. The 7:05 pm. non-divisional matchup will be the second of four get-togethers for the Amerks and the Baby Pens. Rochester is 1-0-0-0 this season and 11-6-6 all-time against the affiliate of defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. All three games can be heard on Hot Talk 1280 AM WHTK and on 107.3 FM "Rochester Sports Talk" with the "Voice of the Amerks" Don Stevens calling all the action.
The Amerks return to the friendly confines of the Blue Cross Arena on Friday January 8th with a 7:05 pm contest against the Grand Rapids Griffins.