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After Slow Start, Albany Ends Week With Solid Win Over Lowell

November 5, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


Week 5 was a roller coaster ride for the Albany River Rats. The Rats took a 3-game winning streak into their Wednesday match up against the unbeaten Toronto Marlies, the first ever meeting of the two clubs. Albany scored first, but former River Rats defenseman Derrick Walser scored twice to lead Toronto to a narrow 3-2 win. Friday the Hershey Bears extended their winning streak at the Times Union Center to 12 games with a 2-0 shutout, thanks in large part to a 36 save effort from rookie goaltender Daren Machesney. But the River Rats salvaged two points on Saturday with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Lowell Devils. Pat Dwyer and Jerome Samson each scored a goal and an assist, Dave Gove added two assists and Trevor Gillies scored his first goal of the year to pace Albany. Goaltender Kevin Nastiuk improved his record to 2-0-0-0 with a 24 save effort in just his second start of the season.

The River Rats will complete their current four-game home stand on Wednesday night, November 7th, as the Binghamton Senators roll into the Capital District; after a 1-3 start, the B-Sens have won four-straight games, and six of their last eight, to pull into a tie with Albany for second place in the East Division. This weekend Albany is back on the highway for a two-game road trip. Saturday the River Rats will invade the Hartford Civic Center to face the Wolf Pack, while Sunday Albany is in Philadelphia to face off with the first place Phantoms.

Week 6 Schedule: (Home Games in Bold)

(All games are broadcasted LIVE on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM The Team & on the Internet at www.albanyriverrats.com)

Wednesday, November 7 7:00 pm vs. Binghamton Senators (6-3-1-0, 13 pts) Tied-Second Place, East Division Saturday, November 10 7:00 pm @ Hartford Wolf Pack (5-5-0-1, 11 pts) Tied-Fourth Place, Atlantic Division

Sunday, November 11 5:05 pm @ Philadelphia Phantoms (4-4-0-0, 8 pts) First Place, East Division

Week 5 Game Results:

10/31/07 Toronto 3 @ Albany 2

Albany, NY - The Albany River Rats set a franchise record for the longest team shutout streak in their history, but fell to the Toronto Marlies 3-2 Wednesday night at the Times Union Center.

With Halloween spirit in the air, Albany was looking to spook the Marlies out of their unbeaten start to the season in the two clubs first ever meeting. Dave Gove put the River Rats on the board at 6:48 of the opening period, scoring his 3rd goal of the season, assisted by Jamie Johnson and Pat Dwyer. But the Marlies stormed right back as defenseman Derrick Walser scored a power play goal from just inside the blue line at 8:14, tying the game at 1-1. Walser's goal was the first goal allowed by Albany since the second period of their October 24th home game against Syracuse. The River Rats set a new franchise record for their longest team shutout streak of 165:37, passing the previous mark of 160:06 set by the 2004-05 team.

Despite being out shot 28-7 through the first 40 minutes, Albany and goaltender Michael Leighton were able to keep the Marlies within striking distance. However, Walser scored his second goal of the night just after another Toronto power play expired at 18:49 of the second period, putting the visitors in the lead for the first time 2-1.

In the third period it took less than two minutes for the River Rats to pull the score level. Defenseman Casey Borer found left wing Brandon Nolan wide open as he came out of the penalty box and he raced into the Toronto zone on a two-on-one rush. Nolan faked a pass across to Pat Dwyer then buried a wrist shot passed Marlies goalie Scott Clemmensen at 1:51 of the third, assisted by Borer, tying the game 2-2. It looked like Albany might regain the lead on a power play seven minutes later, but defenseman Mark Flood broke his stick on a shot at the blue line, creating an odd-man rush for the Marlies. Alex Foster faked out Leighton to score an unassisted, short-handed goal at 9:06 that put Toronto back in the lead. The River Rats were given another power play with just over two minutes remaining in the game and they pulled Leighton for a 6-on-4 advantage, but the Marlies held firm to the lead.

Scott Clemmensen recorded the victory in goal for Toronto, making 12 saves on 14 shots, as the Marlies finished 1-for-6 on the power play. Michael Leighton stopped 32-of-35 shots for Albany, but took his third loss of the season; the River Rats finished 0-for-5 on the power play.

11/02/07 Hershey 2 @ Albany 0

Albany, NY - Rookie goaltender Daren Machesney made 36 saves to steer the Hershey Bears to a 2-0 victory over the Albany River Rats Friday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats out-shot Hershey in the opening period, putting pressure on goaltender Daren Machesney, who was making his first appearance for the Bears this season. But it was Hershey who scored first when Ben Clymer tipped a Jason Morgan shot through the legs of goaltender Michael Leighton at 18:31, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

In the second period Hershey racked up the penalty minutes as they took four minors and one major penalty. Albany had two long five-on-thee advantages, but Machesney was outstanding in goal for the Bears, turning aside all 20 shots the River Rats sent his way in the middle frame.

It was Hershey's chance for some power plays in the third period and the Bears did not waste the opportunity. Kyle Wilson gave Hershey some insurance when he lifted a rebound over the fallen Leighton for a power play goal at 7:47, assisted by Scott Barney and Grant Potulny for a 2-0 Bears lead. Albany tried to rally, but Machesney shut the door to record his first career AHL shutout.

Daren Machesney earned the win and first star honors as he stopped all 36 shots sent his way in goal for Hershey as the Bears improved to 3-4-0-0 on the season. Michael Leighton was solid in goal for Albany, making 27 saves on 29 shots, as the River Rats dropped to 5-4-0-1 on the year. Hershey was 1-for-4 on the power play; while Albany was 0-for-7 with the man-advantage.

10/28/07 Lowell 2 @ Albany 5

Albany, NY - Jerome Samson, Dave Gove and Pat Dwyer all had multi-point games, leading the Albany River Rats to a 5-2 win over the Lowell Devils Saturday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats wanted to set a high-energy, physical tone early in the game and they did just that as Trevor Gillies led the way to a hard-hitting start. Albany scored first at 3:47 of the first period when rookie Jerome Samson fired home his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Casey Borer and Jamie Johnson; the assist was Johnson's 250th career professional point. However, the Devils struck back at 15:44 when Ian Moran drilled a slap shot from the blue line past Albany starter Kevin Nastiuk, tying the game at 1-1. Looking for a big momentum shift, the River Rats got it from Gillies, who collected a rebound on top of the crease and lifted the puck over Lowell goalie Dave Caruso at 17:25 for his first goal in an Albany uniform.

Gillies' goal gave the team a lift going into the first intermission and it paid off immediately in the second period. Brandon Nolan scored his fourth goal of the year a mere 28-seconds into the middle frame, set up by Dave Gove and Pat Dwyer, extending Albany's lead to 3-1.

After playing the rest of the second period without a goal, the Devils closed the gap midway through the third period. Noah Clarke scored a power play goal at 9:53, cutting the River Rats lead to 3-2, but again the River Rats had the answer. Pat Dwyer scored a highlight reel quality wrap-around goal at 13:10 as he beat Caruso in the race to the far post, assisted by Gove and Brett Carson, giving Albany some breathing room. Ryan Bayda then put the game out of reach when he knocked in a rebound for a power play goal at 15:50, his second of the year, assisted by Samson and Mark Flood. Bayda's goal put Albany ahead 5-2 and it snapped a River Rats 0-for-32 power play drought.

Making his second start of the season, rookie goaltender Kevin Nastiuk recorded his second victory in goal for Albany, stopping 24-of-26 shots. Dave Caruso made 30 saves on 35 shots in the loss for Lowell, while making his season debut. Albany finished 1-for-3 on the power play and out-shot the Devils 35-26; Lowell ended the game 1-for-4 on the power play.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 5)

Pat Dwyer - RW - #24 3 GP, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, +2, 0 PIMs

Pat Dwyer led the River Rats with three points (1 goal, 2 assists) during Week 5. Saturday against Lowell he assisted on Brandon Nolan's goal early in the second period, the eventual game-winner, but perhaps his most important contribution came midway through the third period when he scored a beautiful wrap around goal putting Albany ahead 4-2. Dwyer's goal came shortly after Lowell had several chances to tie the game and it seemed to cut off the Devils momentum.

Rat Bites:

- BREAKING THE STREAK - River Rats LW Ryan Bayda's power play goal at 15:50 of the 3rd period Saturday against Lowell helped the team snap an 0-for-32 power play drought. The streak spanned 58:07 of total power play time, 344:10 of game action and 16 straight periods without a power play goal.

- BENCH MILESTONE - Head Coach Tom Rowe coached his 250th AHL game as a Head Coach on Friday versus Hershey. Rowe has a career coaching record of 119-104-11-17, a 0.530 winning percentage in 251 AHL games.

- TWO MAN DISADVANTAGE? - Amidst the River Rats long power play drought, Albany went 0-for-4 on 5-on-3 power plays, a total of 5:52 without scoring with a two-man advantage. C Keith Aucoin scored the River Rats last 5-on-3 goal at 6:45 of the first period on October 20th vs. Springfield.

- TWO MILESTONES IN ONE WEEK - C Jamie Johnson played in his 300th career Pro game on Wednesday against Toronto. He then recorded his 250th career Pro point on Saturday against Lowell. Johnson has 68 goals and 182 assists in 302 professional hockey games; he has played 121 of those games in the AHL, recording 63 points (18 goals, 45 assists).

- CHOCOLATE BEARS CURSE - The River Rats 2-0 loss Friday night to Hershey was Albany's twelfth straight home loss to the Bears. The last time the River Rats beat Hershey at the Times Union Center was on a 4-2 win on March 28, 2004, when the building was still named Pepsi Arena. Since that victory the River Rats are 0-11-0-1 against the Bears at the Times Union Center. Albany will have another chance to break the streak when they host Hershey on Friday, November 16th.

River Rats Recent Transactions

October 29 - The Albany River Rats (AHL) reassigned Brett Peterson (D) to the Florida Everblades (ECHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Goals: Brandon Nolan, Jerome Samson (4)

Assists: Keith Aucoin, Jerome Samson (5)

Points: Jerome Samson (9)

Plus/Minus: Nicolas Blanchard, Brett Carson, Bobby Hughes (+4)

Penalty Minutes: Mike Angelidis, Brandon Nolan (33)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (3)

Short Handed Goals: N/A (0)

Game-Winning Goals: Brandon Nolan (2)

Shots: Jerome Samson (36)

Shooting Percentage: Trevor Gillies (25.0%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (261)

Wins: Michael Leighton (4)

GAA: Michael Leighton (1.78)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.942)

East Division Standings:

EAST GP RECORD PTS

Philadelphia 12 (10-1-1-0) 21

Binghamton 10 (6-3-1-0) 13

Albany 11 (6-4-0-1) 13

Bridgeport 10 (5-5-0-0) 10

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 10 (5-5-0-0) 10

Norfolk 11 (3-7-0-1) 7

Hershey 8 (3-5-0-0) 6

The River Rats complete their four-game home stand at the Times Union Center on Wednesday, November 7th at 7:00 pm against the Binghamton Senators. Saturday, November 10th, Albany travels to Connecticut to face off with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Sunday, November 11th, the River Rats will be at the Wachovia Spectrum for a 5:00 pm battle with the first place Philadelphia Phantoms.

Partial season tickets packages and flex tickets for the 2007-08 River Rats season are on sale now. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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