Albany River Rats Notebook

Published on January 15, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats begin a stretch Wednesday, January 17, when they host the league-leading Norfolk Admirals at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center that sees them play five of their next seven games at home. News, notes and storylines heading into this week's action:

* The River Rats are 18-19-2-1 (.488) for 39 points after 40 games, an 11-point improvement over last season (13-25-0-2) at the halfway point. They begin the week in fourth place in the East Division, two points in front of fifth-place Bridgeport. Albany has played two more games than the Sound Tigers.

* The River Rats have averaged 3.29 goals per game over their last 21 games after scoring an average of just 2.42 goals per game through their first 26 games. Their 115 goals on the season are nine more than they scored last season after 40 games.

* The River Rats have registered power play goals in seven of their last eight games, scoring on nine of 44 man-advantage opportunities for a 20.5 percent success rate in that span.

* Center Ben Guite has earned points in each of his last six games (two goals, six assists) and 14 of his last 15 (six goals, 14 assists). He scored his first career NHL goal January 9 with a shorthanded tally against the Detroit Red Wings (Dominik Hasek) while on recall to the Colorado Avalanche.

* Center Keith Aucoin has recorded points in six of his last seven games (one goal, 10 assists) and has accrued 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in his last 15. The native of Waltham, Mass., will represent Albany at the 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic January 28-29 in Toronto, Ontario.

* Right wing Ryan Bayda has scored goals in five of his last six games, registering seven goals and one assist in that span.

* Left wing Cody McLeod snapped a 28-game goal drought with a tally January 14 at Hershey. The goal was the second of the season for the Binscarth, Manitoba native, who has been arguably the most improved player in the AHL this season. McLeod's development as a player has led to him earning ice time on the River Rats' penalty-killing unit and in other key situations.

* Auditions to be the first-ever River Rats Idol begin Wednesday, January 17, when the River Rats host the Norfolk Admirals at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center. Auditions to be the River Rats Idol will also be held during the River Rats games on Saturday, January 20 against the Philadelphia Phantoms at 5 p.m. and Wednesday, January 24 against the Syracuse Crunch at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center. The River Rats Idol Talent Search, presented by 102.3 KISS FM and Cotton Hill Studios, is open to all adults 18 years and older holding a ticket to any of the game nights that auditions are being held. Five finalists will be chosen to audition in front of fans and a panel of celebrity judges Friday, February 2, when the River Rats face off against the Binghamton Senators at 7 p.m. on U.S. Army Expand-A-Banner Night at the Times Union Center. The winner of the talent search will win $1,000 and an opportunity to make their own demo CD at Cotton Hill Studios.

ALBANY RIVER RATS UPCOMING GAMES

Albany River Rats vs. Norfolk Admirals (Chicago Blackhawks)

When: Wednesday, January 17 at Times Union Center, 7 p.m.

Radio/Internet: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM (WTMM) & B2 Networks.

Promotions: First 100 fans through the doors receive a free lift pass from Killington Ski Resort. Everyone else receives a buy one, get one free lift pass ($65 savings).

Season Series: River Rats 0-2-0-0 vs. Admirals; 0-0-0-0 at Times Union Center.

Last Meeting: Rats lost 5-2 January 13 at the Scope.

Notes: The heroics of goaltenders Corey Crawford and Patrick Lalime helped the Admirals sweep a two-game series against the River Rats January 12-13 at the Scope in the first two meetings of the season between the teams...The Admirals have won six straight games and 13 of their last 15...They lead the East Division by two points over second-place Hershey with a league-high 63 points (29-8-4-1)...Forwards Brandon Bochenski (31-28-59), Martin St. Pierre (14-41-55) and Troy Brouwer (22-24-46) rank second, fourth and tied for eighth, respectively, in the AHL in scoring...Crawford leads AHL goaltenders in wins (24).

Albany River Rats at Syracuse Crunch (Columbus Blue Jackets)

When: Friday, January 19 at the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter, 7:30 p.m.

Radio/Internet: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM (WTMM) & B2 Networks.

Season Series: River Rats 1-1-0-0 vs. Crunch; 0-1-0-0 at Times Union Center.

Last Meeting: Rats won 5-4 in OT December 23 at the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter.

Notes: The Crunch have the fewest wins (12), points (29) and goals (107) in the AHL...They begin the week 17 points behind Grand Rapids for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division...Syracuse has posted just four of its 12 wins at home (4-11-1-1)...RW Joe Motzko (11-23-34) and C Geoff Platt (16-13-29), the top two scorers for the Crunch, are both currently on recall to Columbus...Ex-Rat Derrick Walser has three goals and nine assists in 17 games with Syracuse...Tomas Popperle (9-12-3, 3.11, .894) has seen the bulk of the action between the pipes.

Albany River Rats vs. Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

When: Saturday, January 20 at Times Union Center, 5 p.m.

Radio/Internet: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM (WTMM) & B2 Networks.

Promotions: Showstopper Saturday! Wedekind Pontiac Shootout! Kids Club Post-Game Skate with Players!

Season Series: River Rats 2-1-0-0 vs. Phantoms; 1-0-0-0 at Times Union Center.

Last Meeting: River Rats lost 4-2 November 24 at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Notes: The Phantoms are winless in their last four games (0-3-0-1) and have just two wins in their last nine (2-5-0-2)...They enter the week in sixth place in the East Division with 31 points (13-22-1-2), six behind fifth-place Bridgeport and eight in back of fourth-place Albany...C Mark Cullen (7-16-23) and RW Niko Dimitrakos (10-11-21) lead Philadelphia in scoring...Scott Monroe (6-9-0, 3.14 GAA, .907 SPCT) and Martin Houle (6-9-2, 3.43 GAA, .898 SPCT) share time in net.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2007


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