NORFOLK, VA-River Rats goaltender Justin Peters turned-in a 35 save effort to halt
Albany's road winless streak at eight games with a 3-2 victory over the Norfolk
Admirals Saturday night at the Norfolk Scope.Norfolk out-shot Albany 29-16 over the final two periods, but Peters looked strong in his first game back from a nine-day NHL recall to Carolina, and he kept Albany's one-goal first period lead intact to the final whistle.
After a scoreless second period, River Rats Assistant Captain Brett Carson gave his club a 3-1 lead on the power play with a top-shelf blast from the point at 6:26. Norfolk defenseman Ethan Graham netted his first of the season with 7:30 remaining in regulation, but that's as close as the Admirals would come as Albany held-off the home team's late surge to earn three-out-of-four points on the weekend double-header.
Admirals forward Ryan Craig scored the game's first goal at 5:03 of the opening period, but the River Rats responded with a two quick strikes from Zach Boychuk and Jacob Micflikier. Boychuk tied the contest at 13:53, when his sharp-angle centering attempt banked off of a defenseman's skate and over the goal line. Micflikier pocketed a rebound just 57 seconds later for his second goal in as many nights and a 2-1 River Rats lead.
Peters earned the win as Albany improved to 11-10-1-2 this season. Norfolk goalie Riku Helenius allowed three goals on 29 shots and took the loss as the Admirals sank to 11-13-1-0. Norfolk out-shot the River Rats 37-29 in the contest and went 0-for-7 on the power play; Albany was 1-for-4 on the man-advantage.
Albany returns to the Times Union Center on Friday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m. against the Hershey Bears. River Rats 2009-10 season and flex ticket packages are now on sale at the River Rats executive offices at the Times Union Center, by calling (518) 487-2244 or by logging onto www.albanyriverrats.com.
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