Shawn Matthias is Back in Rochester + Other stuff

I had to go to the AHL's transaction list to actually count how many times he's changed teams this season, and it's really not pretty, and it can't be good for his confidence. Hopefully he'll find a groove this time.

I singled out his movements from the list, so just take a look. We're halfway through the season, and this is what he's seen:

10/09/08 DOWN
-- Regular Season Begins --
10/30/08 UP
10/31/08 DOWN
11/28/08 UP
12/15/08 DOWN
12/30/08 UP
01/01/08 DOWN
01/02/09 UP
01/05/09 DOWN
01/06/09 UP
01/10/09 DOWN

So, he's back with the Amerks again, where he's struggled tremendously all year long. It's been a tough start for the 20 year old, both of his own doing and as a result of circumstance.

Rochester also signed Neil Clark to a PTO. He played in two games with the team earlier this season as the Amerks looked for an enforcer that would help to toughen up a team that sorely needed it. The stint didn't work out, and Clark eventually joined the Central Hockey League's Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs where he put up 12 goals and 8 assists through 33 games.

Last night, he played in Rochester's 4-2 loss to Binghamton, picking up an assist along with Keaton Ellerby on a Drew Larman goal. The score evened the game at 2, but the Senators added two more and put Rochester away.. Mike Brodeur stopped 42 of 46 shots.

Lastly, Jacob Markström was dressed, though he did not start, for yesterday's game against Skellefteå.

While he was away with the national team at the WJC, Brynäs' goaltending tandem had consisted of Nashville Predators' prospect Anders Lindbäck and Flyers' prospect Joacim Eriksson.

Lindbäck has been the backup to Markström this season, and while he struggled in a couple of games during this recent stretch, in the three games leading up to yesterday's match with Skellefteå, he saw an average of almost 39 shots per game. He gave up only five goals in those three games and posted a .957 save percentage.

The team's off until Thursday, when they take on MODO (Victor Hedman's team). I have no idea whether they will get Markström back in net for the game, or if Lindbäck has another start coming up. So, I'll be sure to answer that on Thursday when I post the game's result.

All three of the aforementioned Brynäs goaltenders (Markström, Lindbäck and Eriksson) are teenagers.