Albany Splits Four-Game Week Amidst More NHL Call Ups

January 14, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


Player Appearance:

Monday, January 14th 5:30pm

Joey Mormina, Kevin Nastiuk and Bryan Rodney will be attending the Clifton Park Mini Mites Youth Hockey Practice at 5:30 pm at the Clifton Park Ice Rink, located at 16 Clifton Commons Boulevard in Clifton Park, NY.

Week 15 Recap:

The River Rats hit the road for three of their four games in Week 15 and they started things off with a bang as Albany picked up their first-ever win in Manchester in franchise history, improving their All-Time record to 1-7-1-1 against the Monarchs at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Friday Albany erased a 3-0 deficit in the second period, but then fell behind 6-3 and their late comeback effort fell short in a 6-5 loss to the Portland Pirates at the Cumberland County Civic Center. On Saturday night the River Rats recorded their first franchise victory over the Worcester Sharks, earning a 4-3 win in their third meeting All-Time. Albany fell short in their attempt to win three-out-of-four in the week when they dropped their fourth straight game to the Syracuse Crunch, 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the War Memorial at Oncenter; it was the fourth consecutive game that the Crunch have held the River Rats to one goal.

For the second straight week there was big River Rats news in the NHL, as the Carolina Hurricanes continued to draw on their players in Albany. Captain Keith Aucoin scored his first NHL goal on Thursday against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils. Brandon Nolan shuttled back and forth between the Hurricanes and River Rats three times during Week 15, playing games in five straight days (2 in Raleigh and 3 on the road with Albany). Tim Conboy made his NHL debut for Carolina on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, setting up Aucoin's 2nd career NHL for his first NHL point and recording his first NHL fight against the Avs' Scott Parker.

Week 16 Preview:

No AHL team has played more games so far this season than the River Rats. Albany has played 43 games in the first 15 weeks of the season and will get a chance to take their foot off the gas pedal this week. The River Rats begin a three-game home stand with two games this weekend at the Times Union Center. Friday, January 18th Albany will host the Hershey Bears at 7:00 pm; the Rats will be looking to snap a thirteen-game home losing streak to the Bears. Saturday Albany will battle the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:00 pm, while looking to make strides in a log-jammed East Division.

Week 16 Schedule: (Home Games in Bold)

(All games are broadcasted LIVE on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM The Team and on the Internet at www.albanyriverrats.com)

Friday, January 18th - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Hershey Bears (22-15-0-2, 46 pts)

Tied-Third Place, East Division

The River Rats the River Rats have not beaten Hershey at the Times Union Center since March 28, 2004, going 0-12-0-1 to the Bears over that span. They are 2-3-0 against Hershey this year, winning both games at the Giant Center; 2-0 on October 28th and a 4-3 shootout win on December 9th. The Bears beat the River Rats 2-0 on November 2nd and 6-4 on November 16th in Albany and 3-2 on November 18th in Hershey. Leading Scorer: Joe Motzko (RW) - 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 31 games played. Leading Goaltender: Daren Machesney (G) - 2.14 GAA, 0.929 save pct., 12-2-1 record in 18 GP. Who's Hot: Andrew Gordon (RW) - 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) and +6 rating in last ten games played; all five goals in last five games. Sami Lepisto (D) - 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) and +3 in last five games played. Jason Morgan (C) - 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and +4 rating in last five games played. Saturday, January 19th - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (18-21-0-1, 37 pts)

Sixth Place, East Division

The River Rats will be facing Bridgeport for the fifth time this season after going 2-1-0-1 in their first four meetings. Albany have beaten the Sound Tigers 5-2 on November 24th in Albany and 4-3 on December 12th in Bridgeport, while picking up a point in a 4-3 shootout loss on November 25th. In their last meeting on December 16th in Connecticut, Albany had 13 roster players either injury or out sick and called up seven players from the Elmira Jackals, but dropped the contest 4-3. Leading Scorer: Jeff Tambellini (C) - 44 points (22 goals, 22 assists) in 35 games played. Leading Goaltender: Mike Morrison (G) - 2.74 GAA, 0.906 save pct., 12-9-0 record in 21 games played. Who's Hot: Jeff Tambellini (C) - 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) and a +4 rating in last ten games played. Ben Walter (C) - 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) and +2 rating in last 5 games played. Kyle Okposo (RW) - 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) and +2 rating in last three games played. Frans Nielsen (C) - 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) and +3 rating in last ten games played. Week 15 Game Results:

1/9/08 Albany 3 @ Manchester 1

MANCHESTER, NH - The River Rats returned to winnings ways as they beat the Manchester Monarchs 3-1 Wednesday night, marking their first ever franchise win at Verizon Wireless Arena. Dave Gove led the way with a goal and an assist, Keith Aucoin had two assisted and Jerome Samson and Jakub Petruzalek each scored goals to pace the River Rats. Goaltender John Grahame made 27 saves on 28 shots for his first win with Albany and the River Rats held the AHL's top-rated power play scoreless in four attempts. 1st Star - Dave Gove, 2nd Star - Keith Aucoin, 3rd Star - John Grahame.

1/11/08 Albany 5 @ Portland 6

PORTLAND, ME - The Portland Pirates fought off two surging Albany comebacks to hold off the River Rats 6-5 Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The Pirates scored the first three goals of the game to put the visitors in a serious hole, but J.D. Forrest, Brandon Nolan and Jerome Samson scored goals in a span of 3:21 of the second period to tie the game. Portland rattled off three more goals in the first eight minutes of the third period, but again the Rats answered. Nicolas Blanchard scored a short-handed goal and then Bryan Rodney added a power play goal at 19:06, but with the net empty Albany ran out of time in their comeback effort. 1st Star - Jason King, 2nd Star - Andrew Ebbett, 3rd Star - Brandon Nolan.

1/12/08 Worcester 3 @ Albany 4

ALBANY, NY - In the third meeting All-Time between Albany and Worcester, it took a gritty performance for the home side to come away with the two points at the Times Union Center. Former Union College star T.J. Fox put the Sharks ahead 1-0 early in the second period, but the River Rats leap-frogged the score with two quick goals by Joey Mormina and Dave Gove. Newcomer Jordan Fox scored his first career AHL goal at 8:44 of the third period, but Riley Armstrong tied the game at 13:19. Nicolas Blanchard scored the game-winner 70 seconds later to hand Albany their first ever win over Worcester. 1st Star - Jordan Fox, 2nd Star - Bryan Rodney, 3rd Star - T.J. Fox.

1/13/08 Albany 1 @ Syracuse 2

SYRACUSE, NY - Goaltender John Grahame made 38 saves on 40 Syracuse shots, but the River Rats lost their fourth-straight game against the Crunch 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the War Memorial at Oncenter. There were five fights in a very intense first period. The Crunch went ahead when Steven Goertzen's pass redirected off defenseman Bryan Rodney's leg and into the net with seven seconds left in the first period. Brandon Nolan scored his 15th goal of the season to tie the game early in the second period, but the Crunch got the eventual game-winning goal at 8:11 of the third period when Alexandre Picard one-time a rebound into the River Rats goal. Albany is now 1-4-0-0 against Syracuse this season. 1st Star - Alexandre Picard, 2nd Star - Adam Munro, 3rd Star - John Grahame.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 15)

Brandon Nolan - LW - #12 3 GP, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, +2, 0 PIMs

Left wing Brandon Nolan played games in five consecutive days, hopping between Albany and Carolina to complete a manic schedule. He appeared in three of the River Rats' four games in Week 15, and also played two games in between for the Hurricanes. He scored points in each game, including his third 3-point game of the season against Portland, then scored the River Rats only goal Sunday in Syracuse, tying Jerome Samson for the team lead in goals. In 34 games for Albany this year Nolan ranks second on the team in scoring with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists).

Rat Bites:

- SEVERAL AHL FIRSTS - C Jordan Fox made his AHL debut on Friday in Portland and registered an assist for his first career AHL point. Fox then scored his first ever AHL goal on Saturday against Worcester, giving the rookie his first AHL point streak. LW Matt Syroczynski also recorded his first AHL point with an assist in his Albany debut Saturday night.

- MAJOR POINT STREAK - LW Brandon Nolan is currently riding an 8-game point streak, scoring 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) and a +2 rating over that span. Nolan has scored in 14 of his last 15 games for Albany, posting 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and a +4 rating, beginning on November 28th vs. Norfolk. During that period, Nolan has missed one game due to a stomach illness and seven Albany games while on NHL call-up with Carolina.

- A CALL UP WEEK - The River Rats had their busiest week of the year in sending players up to their parent club, the Carolina Hurricanes. With Wade Brookbank already on NHL call-up, the 'Canes recalled defenseman Casey Borer, goaltender Michael Leighton and forwards Keith Aucoin and Brandon Nolan. For the season, six Albany roster players have been recalled and seven players have suited up for both the River Rats and Hurricanes this year.

- BUSY WEEK - LW Brandon Nolan and C Keith Aucoin had exhausting weeks as they traveled back and forth between Carolina and Albany. Aucoin played five games this week, three for the Hurricanes and two for the River Rats, while Nolan played five games in consecutive days, three with Albany and two with Carolina.

- CAROLINA RIVER RATS? - With a rash of injuries and several illnesses, the Hurricanes had as many as six Albany players called up this: Michael Leighton, Casey Borer, Wade Brookbank, Keith Aucoin, Brandon Nolan and Tim Conboy.

- NHL FIRSTS - Keith Aucoin scored his first career NHL goal Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils, he then scored his second NHL goal Saturday versus Colorado. Tim Conboy made his NHL debut Saturday night against the Avalanche, recording his first NHL fight and also assisted on Aucoin's goal for his first NHL point.

- TWO MAJOR MILESTONES - Captain Keith Aucoin play in his 500th professional hockey game on Tuesday for Carolina in their road win over the Boston Bruins at the TD Banknorth Garden. Sunday he assisted on Brandon Nolan's goal against Syracuse for his 500th career Pro point. Aucoin has played in 427 career AHL games, scoring 422 points (133 goals, 289 assists).

- AHL MARKS - C Jamie Johnson played in his 150th AHL game on Friday in Portland. Johnson is the only River Rats player to play in all 43 games this year and ranks third on team with 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists). RW Jakub Petruzalek played in his 100th career AHL game on Saturday against Worcester; he has 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) in his AHL career.

River Rats Recent Transactions

January 13 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) returned Keith Aucoin (C), Brandon Nolan (LW) and Tim Conboy (D) on loan to the Albany River Rats (AHL). Albany released Phil Aucoin (RW) and Matt Syroczynski (LW) from their PTOs.

January 12 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) recalled Brandon Nolan (LW) and Tim Conboy (D) from loan with the Albany River Rats (AHL). Albany signed Phil Aucoin (RW) and Matt Syroczynski (LW) to Professional Tryout Agreements.

January 11 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) returned Brandon Nolan (LW) on loan to the Albany River Rats (AHL). Albany signed Jordan Fox (C) to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

January 10 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) recalled Keith Aucoin (C) and Brandon Nolan (LW) from loan with the Albany River Rats (AHL).

January 8 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) returned Keith Aucoin (C) and Brandon Nolan (LW) on loan to the Albany River Rats (AHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Games Played: Jamie Johnson (43)

Goals: Brandon Nolan, Jerome Samson (15)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (28)

Points: Keith Aucoin (35)

Plus/Minus: Casey Borer (+13)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (152)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (9)

Short Handed Goals: Keith Aucoin, Nicolas Blanchard, Pat Dwyer (1)

Game-Winning Goals: Dave Gove (4)

Shots: Jerome Samson (131)

Shooting Percentage: Jordan Fox (100.0%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (802)

Wins: Michael Leighton (13)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.14)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.928)

East Division Standings:

EAST GP RECORD PTS

Philadelphia 40 (27-12-1-0) 55

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 38 (23-13-0-2) 48

Hershey 39 (22-15-0-2) 46

Albany 43 (22-19-0-2) 46

Binghamton 41 (18-16-4-3) 43

Bridgeport 40 (18-21-1-0) 37

Norfolk 40 (11-25-1-3) 26

The River Rats will return the Times Union Center as they begin a three-game home stand with a match up with the Hershey Bears on Friday, January 18th as at 7:00 pm. Saturday, January 19th Albany will host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for a 7:00 pm face off.

Partial season tickets packages and flex tickets for the 2007-08 River Rats season are on sale now. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.



American Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central