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Albany River Rats Notebook

April 2, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats enter the second to last week of the 2006-07 American Hockey League regular season tied with Bridgeport for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. The River Rats and Sound Tigers each have seven games left to play, including a head-to-head meeting Saturday, April 7 at Times Union Center. News, notes and storylines heading into this week's action:

*With nine more wins than they had in 2005-06, the River Rats are the second most improved team in the AHL over last season. Worcester (Cleveland in 2005-06) has improved its win total over last season by 10. The River Rats' 34 wins are the most by an Albany team since 1998-99 (46).

*The River Rats eight goals March 28 against Syracuse were the most by an Albany team since an 8-3 win at Hershey on October 20, 2002. The club record for most goals in a game is nine (October 9, 1993 vs. Rochester, W 9-3 and March 21, 1998 vs. Adirondack, W 9-5).

*Center Keith Aucoin ranks fourth in the AHL in scoring with a career-high 90 points (25-65-90). He has 62 points (15-47-62) in his last 39 games to lead the AHL in scoring since December 31. Aucoin's 65 assists are a new single-season franchise record, five more than John Madden had in 1998-99. His 90 points are the second most in one season in club history (John Madden 98 in 1998-99).

*Left wing Ryan Bayda has points in 10 of his last 12 games, recording 18 points in that stretch on 11 goals and seven assists. He has scored a team-leading and career-high 27 goals this season, including a league-high 24 since December 31.

*Left wing Matt Murley has recorded multiple-point efforts in six of his last 10 games, earning 14 points (6-8-14) in that span. The Troy, NY native and RPI product has 20 points (9-11-20) in his last 16 games and 32 points (12-20-32) in his last 25. Murley leads the club in power play goals (15) and ranks second in points (55), assists (32) and multiple-point games (16). His 23 goals are a career high.

*Defenseman Noah Babin has three points (0-3-3) and a plus-5 rating in four games since joining the River Rats for the remainder of the season after completing his four-year collegiate career at Notre Dame. Babin, 23, was signed by Carolina to a two-year contract that begins with the 2007-08 season. He had two goals and 20 assists during his senior season with the Fighting Irish, helping Notre Dame earn the No. 1 ranking in college hockey for most of the 2006-07 season.

*Defenseman Casey Borer has joined the River Rats for the remainder of the season after completing his four-year collegiate career at St. Cloud State. Borer, 21, was selected by Carolina in the third round, 69th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He had two goals and nine assists during his senior season at St. Cloud State.

*Due to a conflict with New York Yankees baseball, the River Rats game Friday, April 6 at Binghamton will be broadcast on 1300-AM. The game can also be heard via the Internet through the B2 Networks, which can be accessed by visiting www.albanyriverrats.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2007


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