Albany Loses Lead, Game In Philadelphia 3-1

Published on January 19, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Philadelphia Phantoms scored three times in the third period for a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over the Albany River Rats Sunday night at Wachovia Spectrum.

Facing a bolstered Phantoms lineup and a goaltender who had posted three straight shutouts against them, the River Rats were looking to get a good start to the game. They did so by holding Philadelphia to just two shots on goal in the opening period and generating 14 shots on goaltender Scott Munroe. Albany broke Munroe's shutout streak at 9:29 when Jakub Petruzalek's wrist shot from the top the right circle rebounded off Munroe's right leg pad and right into the path of Michael Ryan speeding down the left wing. Ryan grabbed the rebound, took a stride to his left and snapped his shot behind the stretched Phantoms' goaltender for his 20th goal of the season, assisted by Petruzalek and Brett Carson.

The second period came and went without a goal, although River Rats goaltender Justin Peters made an excellent save by sliding from post-to-post to rob David Laliberte from close range. Nicolas Blanchard and Garrett Klotz exchanged blows during a short bout early in the period and the River Rats rang the post during their third power play, but the score remained 1-0 Albany as the game went into the third period.

The Phantoms stormed out of the locker room in the final frame and immediately put the Rats on their heels. Albany tried to weather the onslaught, but it was too much as NHL mainstay Danny Briere made a beautiful pass from behind the net to Andreas Nodl in the slot for a one-timer that tied the game 1-1 at 5:56. The River Rats responded well and returned the pressure to the Phantoms' end of the ice, but Munroe kept the score level. Philadelphia earned the breakthrough at 12:37 when Jonathan Matsumoto beat Peters to the short side, snapping a wrist shot over the goaltender's catching glove and into the roof of the net. 26 seconds after the goal the Rats had a power play, but did not capitalize on the opportunity. Albany pulled Peters for the extra attacker with 90 seconds left in the game and after clearing the zone Philadelphia captain Jared Ross scored on the empty net to ice the game 3-1.

Phantoms goaltender Scott Munroe continued his hot streak against the River Rats, stopping 32-of-33 shots for his fourth straight win over Albany, dating back to Game 7 of the 2008 East Division Semifinals. Justin Peters took the loss by allowing two goals on 16 shots as the Rats fell to 17-20-3-2. The River Rats out-shot Philadelphia 33-17 and went 0-for-4 on the power play; the Phantoms were 0-for-3 with the man advantage.

Note: Prior to the game Albany released center Colin Nicholson from his professional tryout contract, returning him to the Florida Everblades (ECHL). Nicholson played in two games for Albany, making his AHL debut on January 14th at Hershey, and recorded one assist and a +1 rating.

Albany returns home and will begin a three-game home stand on Wednesday, January 21st as they face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center.

River Rats flex ticket packages and individual game tickets are on sale now at the River Rats office and the Times Union Center Box Office. 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 January 19, 2009


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