Sword Play: Rochester Americans Get Three of Four; Ryan Miller Speaks Out Against Lockout

The Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate Rochester Americans came out of last weekend with their momentum from the weekend before fully intact.

The Amerks gave up an overtime loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night, but bounced  back to throttle the Adirondack Phantoms on Saturday.

Friday night was a roller coaster for the Amerks, with them needing some late game heroics in the form of two goals in the game’s final two minutes to extend the game to overtime. Mark Mancari and TJ Brennan both registered two points on those two goals, which were scored by Mancari and Kevin Porter. The Amerks were unable to extend the game to a shootout however, giving up a late goal in the overtime period to the Penguins.

Saturday, the Amerks took their disappointment in the loss Friday out on the Phantoms, stomping them 6-2. In what can only be described as a team performance, only Rick Schofield and Nick Tarnasky registered a multi-point game, and such a feat certainly is not expected of either player. The Philadelphia Flyers’ impressive prospect Sean Couturier registered two assists in the contest.

The Amerks are now 5-2-1 and are second in the AHL’s Western Conference. They have a home-and-home with the Hamilton Bulldogs this weekend.

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Ryan Miller is not happy about the lockout, and does not seem to be holding back about it.

In an article on ESPN, Miller stated that the lockout is “just to satisfy egos.” He said that to lose the season would be in “blatant disregard of the sport,” and that a deal is close and that the season has been delayed is wrong.

This is a similar tune to when Miller sounded off at the start of the lockout when he asked how Gary Bettman still had a job in light of his third lockout during his tenure.

Miller did not say he was looking to play anywhere overseas during the lockout, but did say he needed to start considering that option soon.

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Some quick hits:

Tyler Ennis returned to the ice Tuesday for Langnau of the Swiss A League after a seven game absence with an undisclosed injury. He had an assist.

Thomas Vanek continued his strong play for the Graz 99ers of the Austrian pro league. He now has 11 points in nine games.

Alexander Sulzer began his stint with ERC Ingolstadt in the German pro league with four points in his first four games.