Albany Banishes Lowell In Shootout 3-2

November 15, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


LOWELL, MA - Joe Jensen's third period goal sent the game into overtime and Michael Ryan's fourth round shootout goal helped lift the Albany River Rats to a 3-2 shootout win over the Lowell Devils Saturday night at Tsongas Arena.

Looking for a win over their old affiliate to kick start their season, the River Rats opened the scoring midway through the period with Jerome Samson's four goal of the year. Samson picked up a rebound off a Michael Ryan shot, pushed it toward the net and then got his own rebound and fired his second effort passed goaltender Jeff Frazee at 11:36, assisted by Ryan and Mark Flood. However, the Devils came back to tie the game less than two minutes later with a power play goal at 13:06. Albany starting goaltender Justin Peters was called for delay of game when his clearing attempt sailed over the glass and into the stands without a deflection. Three seconds into the penalty Nick Dodge was whistled for hooking, giving Lowell a two-man advantage. It took the Devils just 24 seconds to set up Jon DiSalvatore, who blasted a one-timer from the blue line into the top right corner of the net; his third goal of the year.

Albany came out into the second period and put the pressure on Lowell's net immediately. The River Rats out-shot the Devils 14-1 over the first ten minutes of play and was given a five-on-three advantage for 72 seconds. But Lowell killed of the penalties, built some momentum and then struck back with less than one minute left in the period. At 19:13 right wing Trevor Kell knocked in a rebound from Rod Pelley and Ryan Murphy for his first goal of the season and a 2-1 Lowell lead going into the second intermission.

Returning to the lineup after missing the last three games due to injury, defenseman Bryan Rodney made his impact felt early in the third period as he set up the game-tying goal. From behind his own blue line, Rodney fired a perfect saucer-pass that picked out Joe Jensen at the Lowell blue line and released him in for a breakaway goal, tying the game at 2:26. The Rats out-shot the Devils 12-8 in the third, but could not find the game-winner.

Lowell had a chance to win the game midway through overtime, when referee Frederic L'Ecuyer award Bret Snetsinger a penalty shot at 2:16 of the extra session. Snetsinger thought he had the game won, but his shot rang off the left post.

In the shootout Dwight Helminen scored in the first round to put the Rats ahead 1-0. Snetsinger took the first shot for the Devils, but again found the iron as Peters tipped the puck with his catching glove onto the right post. Jakub Petruzalek put Albany ahead 2-0 in the third round, but it was Michael Ryan's shootout goal in the fourth round, coupled with a Peters save on Patrick Davis in the fifth round that gave the River Rats a 3-2 win.

Albany starter Justin Peters made 24 saves on 26 shots through regulation and overtime, then denied three-of-five shootout attempts for his first win of the season, helping the Rats improve to 3-8-2-1 on the year. Lowell goaltender Jeff Frazee had a strong performance in goal, stopping 39-of-41 shots in 65 minutes of play, but blocked two-of-five shootout attempts as the Devils dropped to 4-7-1-2. Albany out-shot Lowell 42-26 in the game and went 0-for-5 on the power play; the Devils were 1-for-6 with the man-advantage.

Albany will complete their three-game road trip on Wednesday, November 19th with a rare 11:05 am game against the Philadelphia Phantoms at Wachovia Spectrum. The River Rats next home game comes on Friday, November 21st as they again host the Syracuse Crunch 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.



American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2008


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