Albany Clinches Playoff Spot Despite 5-2 Loss

Published on April 6, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals scored three times in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and beat the Albany River Rats 5-2 Saturday night at the Norfolk Scope. In spite of the loss, the River Rats still clinched a spot in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs thanks to Bridgeport's regulation loss in Hershey.

The Admirals came out flying in front of 6,627 fans, their largest crowd of the season. Playing in their final home game of 2007-08, Norfolk struck first when Brandon Segal skated down the right win and snapped a wrist shot low to the far side of the net, beating starting Michael Leighton for a 1-0 lead at 13:35 of the first period. Bracken Kearns doubled the Admirals lead on a very bizarre ricochet. Kearns skated out from behind the net, took a shot that went several feet wide to the left, but the puck hit Albany defenseman Steve Ward, redirected back toward the goal and then glanced off Leighton and into the net at 17:09.

Albany stormed back in the second period, scoring on their first rush off the center ice face off. Kiel McLeod knocked the puck from traffic behind the net to defenseman Joey Mormina in the slot and the River Rats acting captain one-timed the puck into the net 11 seconds into the second period. The goal, Mormina's fourth of the year assisted by McLeod and Nicholas Blanchard, was Albany's fastest goal to start a period during the 2007-08 season. Blanchard, who has been red hot this week, then cashed in for the game-tying goal at 8:12, his ninth goal of the year. Blanchard redirected a shot from Steve Ward past goaltender Marc Denis and into the net, giving him a goal in each of his last three games.

The Admirals jumped ahead at 2:38 of the third period when Justin Keller scored on a wrap-around shot to put Norfolk up 3-2. The home team regained their two-goal lead on the power play at 4:29 as Paul Szczechura backhanded a rebound from a Blair Jones one-timer from the point to take a 4-2 lead. Albany almost cut the lead in half with McLeod found Mike Angelidis all alone on the far post, but with a wide open net he was robbed from point-blank range by Denis, who flashed his catching glove to make his best save of the game. Albany had a golden chance to stay alive in the game when they were awarded a five-on-three power play for 35 seconds, but they failed to score on the advantage. With time winding down Szczechura added an empty net goal, scoring his second goal of the game with 52.7 seconds remaining, to seal the win for the Admirals.

Marc Denis 27 saves on 29 shots to earn a big win for Norfolk in their home finale, helping the Admirals improve to 27-43-2-5 with one week left in the regular season. Michael Leighton stopped 27-of-31 shots in goal for Albany, who fell to 42-28-3-4, but still clinched a playoff spot in the East Division due to Bridgeport's 6-3 loss in Hershey.

With their stretch of seven-straight road games completed, the River Rats will return home for a Wednesday, April 9th home game against the Norfolk Admirals; a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center.

River Rats playoff ticket packages and individual game tickets for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now, with special pricing available for children and seniors. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2008


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