River Rats Clip Bridgeport 3-2 In Shootout
February 25, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release
BRIDGEPORT, CT - Brandon Sutter scored in his first AHL game of the season and Justin Peters made 36 saves as the Albany River Rats defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
Playing in their first game since last week's bus crash, and with five new players in the lineup, the River Rats understandably went through a feeling out process in the first period. After a shaky start, where goaltender Justin Peters had to be very sharp to keep the game scoreless, Albany started to find their rhythm as Jerome Samson and Brandon Sutter each tested Bridgeport goaltender Nathan Lawson. Each team had one power play, and the Sound Tigers' best scoring chance game on a Jeremy Colliton short-handed breakaway that was denied by Peters with a fantastic pad save.
One of the River Rats new additions opened the scoring in the second period as Brandon Sutter scored his first AHL goal of the season at 4:17. Sutter took a pass from Noah Babin right near the blue line, slipped around the two Bridgeport defensemen and then went forehand-to-backhand as he slid the puck behind Lawson. Jerome Samson doubled Albany's lead at 8:41 when he took a wrap-around pass from Ryan Weston and buried a quick snap shot for his 15th goal of the year; rookie defenseman Benn Olson also assisted on the goal. Rookie Jesse Joensuu got one goal back for the Sound Tigers with his 15th of the season at 11:51, but Albany carried a 2-1 lead after forty minutes.
In the third period Peters continued his stellar play in goal, but Bridgeport was unrelenting in their pressure. The tying goal came for the Sound Tigers when Tyler Haskins caused a turnover, raced in on a breakaway and scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal at 8:10. Both teams had chances to take the lead, but the game would go into overtime tied at 2-2.
Albany received a four-on-three power play in overtime, but could not tally the game-winner. In the shootout Nick Dodge and Dwight Helminen scored on the River Rats first two attempts and Jakub Petruzalek scored the clinching goal in the fifth round as Albany won the shootout 3-1.
Justin Peters turned in a spectacular performance in goal for Albany as he made 36 saves on 38 shots through regulation and overtime, then stopped three-of-four shootout attempts to help the River Rats improve to 25-25-3-3 on the season. Nathan Lawson blocked 26-of-28 shots during play and allowed three shootout goals on five attempts as Bridgeport dropped to 33-17-1-3 on the year. The Sound Tigers out-shot the Rats 38-29 in the game and went 0-for-3 on the power play; Albany was 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
The River Rats continue their road trip on Friday, February 27th as they head to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a 7:05 pm face off with the Penguins at Wachovia Arena. Albany's next home game is scheduled for Sunday, March 1st against the Norfolk Admirals; a 5:00 pm face off 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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