River Rats face end of the road

Published on April 10, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Week Ahead:

The River Rats begin the final week of the 2005-06 campaign against the Hartford Wolf*Pack in a 7:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena (6:45pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Wolf*Pack (45-43-2-6, 2nd Atlantic) posted a 3-2 overtime win at home against the Lowell Lock Monsters on Sunday. Rookie LW Nigel Dawes ranks second among league rookies with 35 goals and stands second among current skaters for the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers with 66 points during the 2005-06 campaign. The River Rats have an 11-20-3-3 record in the all-time regular season series against the Wolf*Pack, including a 5-8-2-3 mark at home. Albany shows a 0-5-0-0 mark against Hartford this season, being outscored 22-12 in the previous five games of the season series.

The River Rats then visit the Springfield Falcons for the final time in a special Thursday night match-up at 7:05pm. (6:50pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Falcons (27-39-3-6, 5th Atlantic) dropped a 6-1 decision to the Providence Bruins on the road Sunday evening. F Ryan Vesce has eight (3-5) points over his last five games and stands fifth among all newcomers with 64 points in 77 games for the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The River Rats have a 30-25-9-3 record in the all-time regular season series against the Falcons, including a 17-11-6-0 record on home ice. Albany sports a 4-3-0-0 mark versus Springfield this season, while holding a 27-24 scoring edge in the eight-game season series.

Albany will close the home portion of its schedule in a 5:00pm puck drop against the Providence Bruins on Saturday evening at Pepsi Arena. (4:45pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Bruins (41-29-1-5, 4th Atlantic) turned in a 6-1 home win over Springfield on Sunday and visit Manchester on Wednesday before hosting Hartford on Friday night. C Tyler Redenbach shows six goals over the last five games and ranks third on the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins with 56 (25-31) points and has a team-high +21 rating during the 2005-06 season. The River Rats have a 25-19-6-5 record in the all-time regular season series against the Bruins, including a 13-8-3-3 home mark. Albany shows a 2-2-1-1 record against Providence this season, while being outscored 19-14 over the course of the first seven games.

The Albany River Rats close the regular season with a 5:05pm road contest against the Binghamton Senators on Easter Sunday. (4:50pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Senators (35-33-4-4, 5th East) recorded a 6-5 home victory over the Rochester Americans on Saturday and play at Norfolk twice with another game at Hershey on Saturday. RW Jeff Hereema has 12 (6-6) points in the last five games for the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators and ranks third on the roster with 73 points this year. The River Rats have a 9-19-3-2 record in the all-time regular season series against the Baby Sens, including a 3-10-2-1 record on the road. Albany is 2-3-0-0 versus Binghamton this season, while each team has scored 16 goals in the five previous match-ups.

River Rats Practice Schedule: * The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff

Tues., April 11, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ Knickerbacker Arena

Wed., April 12, 2006 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Hartford Wolf*Pack @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Thurs., April 13, 2006 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Knickerbacker Arena; RIVER RATS @ Springfield Falcons, 7:05pm

Fri., April 14, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ Knickerbacker Arena

Sat., April 15, 2006 - Providence Bruins @ RIVER RATS, 5:00pm

Sun., April 16, 2006 - RIVER RATS @ Binghamton Senators, 5:05pm

Mon., April 17, 2006 - End of Regular Season; TBD

Story Ideas

Jason Ryznar - The rookie was able to fill a role for a good portion of the season with the New Jersey Devils and has returned to the club with subsequent strong play. He can be expected to have a larger role for the organization going forward.

Rat Bites:

* C Adrian Foster scored his first goal of the season on Friday in Providence. The marker came in his second game back with the club after missing 71 consecutive contests following an injury in the second game of the year.

* LW Jason Ryznar has scored twice over the last five games and has 22 (6-16) points in 55 games this year. He also went scoreless in eight games over two months with the New Jersey Devils.

* G Frank Doyle's 56 games played this season are the second-highest, single-season total in franchise history behind the 62 appearances made by Peter Sidorkiewicz back in 1996-97. He leads the AHL with 1,682 saves to go with 20 of the club's 23 victories during the 2005-06 campaign.

River Rats Rewind: Week 27 - April 3, 2006 (0-2-0-0, 0pts)

April 7 - ALB 2 @ PRO 3 - LW Jason Ryznar opened the scoring 4:35 into the second period with his sixth goal and C Adrian Foster scored his first goal of the season in his second game back from injury during the third period. G Frank Doyle stopped 17 shots on goal in his 31st loss of the season, setting a new franchise record.

April 8 - ALB 0 @ MCH 2 - Monarchs G Adam Hauser stopped all 35 shots on goal for his third shutout of the season and second against Albany during the 2005-06 season. RW Barry Tallackson took a team-high six shots on goal, while G Ari Ahonen stopped 29 of 31 shots on goal in taking the loss.

Upcoming Promotions:

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Kids In Free Wednesdays!

All Children 12 and Under Get In FREE With A Paid Adult!

Kids Club "Mouse Trap" Concession Stan with Discount Prices!

Saturday, April 15, 2006 @ 5:00pm - Home Season Finale!

U.S. Army Pre-Game Block Party Featuring Live Music, Food & Fun!

Total Events Presents The Concourse Carnival With Games & Prizes For EVERYONE!

Radio Disney Fun Zone!

Pre-Game Fireworks By Alonzo!

Wedekind Pontiac Shootout Finals For a New Pontiac!

For further information on 2005-06 season and flex ticket packages contact (518) 487-2244

or visit www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2006


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