Albany River Rats Notebook

Published on November 27, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats enter the week having won two straight games and seven of their last 12 (7-4-1-0, .625). They are currently in fourth place in the East Division, nine points in back of third-place Hershey but with just three fewer wins than the reigning Calder Cup champions. News, notes and storylines heading into this week's action:

* The River Rats finished their 13-game November schedule with a record of 7-5-1-0 (.577), their first winning month of November since 1999-00 (6-3-2-0, .636). Their seven wins this month are the most by the club in November since 1997-98 (7-5-1, .577).

* The River Rats are 10-10-1-0 (.500) after 21 games. The last time they had a .500 or better record after 21 games was in 1998-99, when they where 13-6-0-2 (.667).

* Center Keith Aucoin has recorded points in 12 of his last 14 games (eight goals, 17 assists), including eight multiple-point efforts. He currently ranks fourth in the AHL in points-per-game (1.67), sixth in assists (17) and eighth in points (25). The River Rats are 9-5-1-0 (.633) with an average of 2.93 goals-per-game and a 17.2 percent proficiency rating on the power play with Aucoin in the lineup. They went 1-5-0-0 (.167) with an average of 1.50 goals-per-game and a proficiency rating of 5.3 percent with the man-advantage during the six games that he missed October 18 to November 1 while on recall to the Carolina Hurricanes.

* Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his last 12 games. He currently ranks fifth among AHL rookie defensemen in scoring with 11 points (two goals, nine assists).

* Right wing Shane Willis has six points (three goals, three assists) in his last two games and 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his last eight. He needs one goal for 100 AHL goals in his career.

* Defenseman Johnny Boychuk has compiled a plus-9 rating over his last 12 games. He is now plus-4 on the season after being minus-5 through his first nine games.

* Goaltender Tyler Weiman has posted a 6-1-0 record with a 1.95 GAA and .933 SPCT over his last nine appearances. He earned his first AHL shutout November 25 vs. Lowell (5-0).

* Center Joe Barnes scored his first professional goal November 26 at Bridgeport. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound first-year pro returned to the lineup November 22 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after being sidelined for eight games due to injury.

COMMUNITY APPEARANCES (VIDEO/PHOTO OPPORTUNTIES):
November 29: River Rats Players and Rowdy the River Rat, After-School All Stars with the Tulip Queen, 4 p.m. Arbor Hill Community Center (50 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY).
December 3: Rowdy the River Rat, New York State Tree Lighting Ceremony, Empire Plaza, Albany, NY

ALBANY RIVER RATS UPCOMING GAMES

Albany River Rats vs. Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)
When: Friday, December 1 at Pepsi Arena, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $16 for adults, $12 for children, students and senior.
Radio/Internet: WTTM-AM (1300) & B2 Networks.
Season Series: Albany leads, 1-0-0-0.
Last Meeting: River Rats beat Milwaukee, 3-2, November 9 at the Bradley Center.

Milwaukee Quick Hits: The Admirals enter the week 7-9-2-0 for 16 points and in sixth place in the West Division...they have lost six of their last eight games (1-5-1-0)...five of Milwaukee's seven wins have come on the road...the Admirals play games Tuesday at Hamilton and Wednesday at Toronto before facing the River Rats Friday at Pepsi Arena...C Rich Peverley (5-11-16), D Sheldon Brookbank (4-10-14) and C Cal O'Reilly (4-10-14) lead Milwaukee in scoring.

Albany River Rats at Portland Pirates (Anaheim Ducks)
When: Saturday, December 2 at Cumberland County Civic Center, 7:05 p.m.
Radio/Internet: WTTM-AM (1300) & B2 Networks.
Season Series: First meeting in 2006-07.
Last Meeting: River Rats fell to the Pirates, 4-1, April 2, 2006 at Pepsi Arena.

Portland Quick Hits: The Pirates enter the week 13-7-0-2 for 28 points and in first place in the Atlantic Division... they have earned points in four of their last five games (3-1-0-1)...the Pirates will not play this week prior to facing the River Rats Saturday...C Zenon Konopka (6-17-23), RW Colby Genoway (4-14-18) and RW Pierre Parenteau (8-9-17) lead Portland in scoring...Michael Leighton (8-6-1, 2.31 GAA, .910 SPCT) has seen the bulk of the action between the pipes.

Albany River Rats at Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)
When: Sunday, December 3 at Dunkin Donuts Center, 4:05 p.m.
Radio/Internet: WTTM-AM (1300) & B2 Networks.
Season Series: Albany trails, 0-0-1-0
Last Meeting: Providence edged the River Rats, 4-3, in overtime November 4 at Pepsi Arena.

Providence Quick Hits: The Bruins enter the week 11-7-1-0 for 23 points and a share of second place with Manchester in the Atlantic Division...they have lost three straight games and four of their last six (2-4-0-0)...Providence will host Lowell Friday and play Saturday in Springfield prior to facing the River Rats Sunday...RW Kris Versteeg (9-13-22), C Pascal Pelletier (7-10-17) and C David Krejci (5-11-16) lead the Bruins in scoring...C Ben Walter's father, Ryan Walter, played with River Rats coach-GM Tom Rowe with the Washington Capitals from 1978 to 1980 and again in 1981-82.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2006


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