Albany River Rats Notebook

Published on January 29, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats will return from the AHL all-star break with a pair of home games this week, hosting the Binghamton Senators Friday, February 2 on U.S. Army Expand-A-Banner Night at 7 p.m. and the Worcester Sharks Saturday, February 3 at 5 p.m. at the Times Union Center. News, notes and storylines heading into this week's action:

*The River Rats are 21-21-2-1 (.500) for 45 points after 45 games and tied with Bridgeport for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. Albany entered the AHL All-Star Break having won two of its last three games and three of its last five.

*The River Rats will return from the AHL All-Star Break with 35 games remaining over the final 11 weeks of the season. Five of those games are against Bridgeport, including three at home.

*Beginning with their game Friday, February 2 against Binghamton at the Times Union Center, the River Rats will play eight of their next nine games against East Division opponents. Five of the East Division games will be against either Norfolk (three) or Hershey (two) - teams the River Rats are a combined 1-7-0-0 against this season. The lone game outside the division in this stretch will be played Saturday, February 3 against Worcester at the Times Union Center.

*The River Rats current three-game home winning streak is the longest since they won four in a row March 26 through April 9, 2005. Overall, the River Rats are 11-8-2-1 (.568) at the Times Union Center this season. Albany is seeking its first winning season at home since going 23-13-4 (.625) in 1998-99.

*With a team-leading 47 points in 32 games, center Keith Aucoin is on pace to tie the Albany franchise record for most points in a season of 98 set by current New Jersey Devils center John Madden in 1998-99. The River Rats All-Star center has 19 points since December 31, tying him with Norfolk's Martin St. Pierre for most in the AHL.

*Left wing Ryan Bayda has earned points in five straight games (three goals, four assists) and 10 of his last 11 (10 goals, five assists). His 10 goals since December 31 lead the AHL.

*The River Rats are 19-15-2-0 (.555) with a 2.94 goals-against average in the 36 games defenseman Jeff Finger has been in the lineup. They went 2-6-0-1 (.278) with a 4.11 goals-against average in the nine games he missed due to injury from December 29 through January 14.

*Five finalists will compete in front of a panel of judges for the title of "River Rats Idol" Friday, February 2, when the River Rats face off against the Binghamton Senators at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center. The winner of the talent search contest, presented by 102.3 KISS FM and Cotton Hill Studios, will win $1,000 and an opportunity to make their own demo CD at Cotton Hill Studios.

COMMUNITY APPEARANCES (VIDEO/PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES):

February 2: Reading with Rowdy, Veeder Elementary School (25 Veeder Drive), 10 a.m.

ALBANY RIVER RATS UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, February 2: Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators)

Faceoff: 7 p.m., Times Union Center

Radio/Internet: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM (WTMM) & B2 Networks Promotions: U.S. Army Expand-A-Banner Night

Noteable: The River Rats are 1-1-0-0 against Binghamton this season, 1-0-0-0 at the Times Union Center. ... The Senators 12 wins and 31 points are the fewest in the AHL...Binghamton has lost three straight games (0-2-1-0) and is 1-5-1-3 in its last 10...RW Jeff Heerema, the 11th pick overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, leads the Senators in points (40), goals (22) and first goals (five)...Center Andrew Ebbett is tied for 10th among AHL rookies in scoring with 35 points (10-25-35)...Kelly Guard (7-15-3, 3.47 GAA, .890 SPCT) and Jeff Glass (5-13-2, 3.82 GAA, .890 SPCT) share the goaltending duties.

Saturday, February 3: Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks)

Faceoff: 5 p.m., Times Union Center

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

Promotions: Guys Night Out

Noteable: First-ever meeting between the River Rats and Sharks...Worcester has won three of its last four games and five of its last seven...LW Mathieu Darche leads the Sharks in points (50), goals (25), power play goals (13) and game-winning goals (three)...Rookie G Thomas Greiss is 5-3-0 with a 2.24 GAA and .920 SPCT since December 30...Roy Sommer, now in his ninth season as the head coach of San Jose's AHL affiliate, recorded his 300th career win as an AHL coach in Worcester's 2-1 win January 26 vs. Binghamton.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2007


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