ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Among the roaring crowd in the Blue Cross Arena Friday night, there’s been one voice cheering on the Amerks since 1959.

At just 12 years old, Rochester resident Joe Capellupo began coming to games. His most memorable moment came at the end of his first season. That’s when the Amerks became the first team in American Hockey League history to win a playoff series after trailing three games to none.

“We won that game 4 to 1 and this whole place was in delirium,” Capellupo said. “When I say delirium, we were like in tears being so happy.”

From there on out, the only time Capellupo said he missed games was the two years he left to serve in the Navy.

“It broke my heart you know?” Capellupo said. “Mom used to send me all the articles and the box scores and the hockey news and I memorized every one of them. To this day I could tell you about then.”

So on Friday night, as the Amerks celebrated 60 years by facing off against their oldest rival the Hershey Bears, Capellupo was glad to see the show of support from Rochester. The night included special-edition jerseys in which the players wore on the ice and fans could buy in the team store, live music and a chance to see the Calder Cup. The Amerks have won the Calder Cup six times.

“It’s so heartwarming that we made the sixtieth and all these people are here to honor the team,” Capellupo said. “Incredible, just unreal.”

As he reflected back over the years, he said he also can’t wait for many more to come.

“It’s a feeling of like, a good health feeling,” Capellupo said. “They are my boys, they are my team they are my life. There’s nothing like a Friday night game in Rochester.”

Capellupo was honored at the game for being the longest running season ticket holder.

Alumni on hand included Richie Dunn and Darren Puppa, both members of the 1987 Calder Cup championship team and part of the newest Amerks Hall of Fame class to be inducted in March.

As for the game, the Amerks trailed 3-1 before a fierce comeback to tie it at 3, and with the game knotted 4-4, Dan Catenacci potted the winning goal. Final score: Rochester 5, Hershey 4.