Albany River Rats Notebook

Published on November 20, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


This week's storylines:

* The River Rats have won four of their last six games and have earned 11 of a possible 16 standings points in their past eight games, going 5-2-1-0 in that stretch. They begin the week in fifth place in the East Division with 17 points (8-8-1-0, .500), two points in back of fourth-place Bridgeport.

* The River Rats are 5-3-1-0 (.611) through their first nine games in November, including 4-1-0-0 away from home. Albany's five wins this month are the most in November by the club since 2003-04, when they won five games. The River Rats have not finished with a record above .500 in November since 1999-00, when they went 6-3-2-0.

* The River Rats host the Lowell Devils for the first time this season at Pepsi Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. Lowell currently has 15 players on its roster that played for the River Rats last season during their 13th and final season as the top affiliate for the New Jersey Devils: Nicklas Bergfors, David Clarkson, Patrick Davis, Frank Doyle, Adrian Foster, Mark Fraser, Stephen Gionta, Dan McGillis, Chris Minard, Ryan (J.) Murphy, Tuomas Pihlman, Jason Ryznar, Barry Tallackson, Aaron Voros and Petr Vrana. In addition, former River Rats Kevin Dean and Chris Terreri serve as assistant coaches with Lowell. The River Rats defeated the Devils, 5-3, October 7 at Paul E. Tsongas Arena in the first meeting of the season.

* Center Keith Aucoin has recorded points in nine of his last 10 games (six goals, 12 assists), including six multiple-point efforts. He enters the week tied for first in the AHL in game-winning goals (three), tied for 10th in assists (12) and tied for 15th in points (18).

* Left wing Brad Isbister is the River Rats nomination for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 19, 2006. Isbister had a goal on a team-high eight shots November 17 against Syracuse and two assists November 19 against Philadelphia.

* Defenseman Johnny Boychuk has compiled a plus-7 rating over his last eight games. He is plus-2 on the season after being minus-5 after 10 games.

* Goaltender Tyler Weiman is 4-1-0 with a 2.19 GAA and .930 SPCT in his last six games (five starts), stopping 147 of the 158 shots he has faced. He has been between the pipes for all five of the River Rats road wins.

THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS:

Wednesday, November 22 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Wachovia Arena, 7:05 p.m.

The River Rats and Penguins meet for the third time this season with this Albany's second visit to Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. The Rats are 0-2-0-0 against the Penguins this season, falling 6-3 October 20 at Pepsi Arena and 3-0 October 21 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins enter the week 12-3-1-0 and in second place in the East Division, three points in back of first-place Norfolk. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 25 points trail only Rochester (28) and Norfolk (26) in the overall league standings. The Penguins rank first in the AHL on the power play (24.3%) and fifth in penalty killing (87.9%). Center Erik Christensen is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals (12) and fifth in points (24). Center Rob Schremp (4-9-13) was a first-round pick by Edmonton in 2004. Andrew Penner (7-2-0, 2.62 GAA, .899 SPCT) and Jeff Deslauries (5-2-0, 2.68 GAA, .897 SPCT) man the nets. NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins.

Friday, November 24 at Philadelphia Phantoms, Wachovia Spectrum, 7:05 p.m.

The River Rats and Phantoms meet for the third time this month and for the second time in Philadelphia. The River Rats beat the Phantoms 6-2 November 3 at the Wachovia Center and 4-1 November 18 at Pepsi Arena in the previous two match-ups. Philadelphia has lost its last three games after winning four in a row November 4-11. Right wing Stefan Ruzicka (7-6-13) and center Mark Cullen (5-8-13) lead the Phantoms in scoring. Scott Munroe (2-4-0, 3.24 GAA, .897 SPCT) and Martin Houle (3-4-0, 4.24 GAA, .880 SPCT) share the goaltending duties. NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers.

Saturday, November 25 vs. Lowell Devils, Pepsi Arena, 7 p.m.

The Lowell Devils make their first visit of the season to Pepsi Arena as they face the River Rats for the second time this season. Albany defeated the Devils, 5-3, October 7 at Paul E. Tsongas Arena in Lowell's first-ever game as the top affiliate for the New Jersey Devils. Lowell has earned points in six straight (5-0-1-0) and nine of its last 10 outings (7-1-1-1), climbing into third place in the Atlantic Division. Center Justin Papineau (5-9-14) and former River Rats defenseman Dan McGillis (4-10-14) lead the Devils in scoring. Another former River Rat, Frank Doyle (5-5-1, 2.95 GAA, .895), has seen the bulk of the action between the pipes.

Sunday, November 26 vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Bridgeport's Arena at Harbour Yard, 4 p.m.

The River Rats complete a four games in five days week as they face the Sound Tigers for the first time this season. Bridgeport enters the week 8-5-0-3 and two points in front of Albany for fourth place in the East Division. The Sound Tigers have struggled at home, going 1-2-0-2 through their first five games at Harbour Yard. They enter the week ranked first in the AHL in penalty killing, allowing just 10 power play goals-against in 109 shorthanded situations (90.8%). Center Robert Nilsson (7-10-17) and left wing Jeff Tambellini (9-7-16) lead the Sound Tigers in scoring. They were both selected in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft (Nilsson 15th overall by the New York Islanders; Tambellini 27th overall by Los Angeles). Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz (5-2-3, 2.62 GAA, .915 SPCT) has played in 10 of Bridgeport's 16 games. NHL Affiliate: New York Islanders.

ON THE AIR: Radio: ESPN Radio 1300 The Team. Web Casts: Video ($6 - B2 Networks) and audio (free) available through www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 20, 2006


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