Amerks gear up for opener

(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Americans announced today the festivities for Opening Night on Friday, October 10th. Fans will enjoy one of the most exciting openers in the history of the franchise, as the organization provides pregame entertainment, LIVE music, free autographs, kids events and the largest bobblehead giveaway in team history. The Amerks will open their 53rd American Hockey League season at The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial against the Syracuse Crunch. Faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Opening Night will start with a bang as Shane Yellowbird and the Skycoasters perform FREE concerts outside the arena. Skycoasters will play from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and will be followed by country music recording artist Shane Yellowbird from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Kids and adults will also get to meet area mascots, face painters, clowns and such famous Amerks alumni as Jody Gage, Dick Gamble, Doug Gibson, Stan Jonathan and Geordie Robertson to name a few. Further, fans will be able to jump around in the bounce house and get their first look at the Amerks dance team, "The American Spirit". Upon entering the arena, the first 10,000 people will take home a Rory Fitzpatrick bobblehead. There are also chances to ride around in bumper boats during the first intermission and to take part in all of the exciting promotions throughout the game. After the home opener, the Amerks will travel to Syracuse on Saturday October 11th to play the Crunch at 7:30 p.m. at the War Memorial at Oncenter. They will return to The Blue Cross Arena on Sunday to play the Binghamton Senators at 6:05 p.m.