Albany Struggles With Call-Ups, Home Games

January 7, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The River Rats started the week by losing players from their roster. Albany sent defenseman Casey Borer to the Carolina Hurricanes on New Year's Day and he made his NHL debut on January 2nd. Carolina then called up captain Keith Aucoin, goaltender Michael Leighton and left wing Brandon Nolan on Thursday, bringing Albany's call-up total to five; defenseman Wade Brookbank had been recalled on December 28th. The Hurricanes did send the River Rats one player, veteran NHL goaltender John Grahame was assigned to Albany on Friday after clearing NHL waivers. After a flight delay, Grahame arrived in Albany during the first period of Friday's 6-1 loss to Syracuse and he made his first River Rats start on Saturday in a 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms.

The River Rats call-ups with Carolina had a much better week. Casey Borer made his NHL debut on Wednesday and logged just over 17 minutes of ice time, including two shifts in overtime, in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Thrashers. Borer had an even better game Friday night in Atlanta, joined by Aucoin, Nolan and Leighton. The Albany defenseman recorded his first NHL point with a second period assist, then tied the game at 3-3 with his first career NHL goal, assisted by Aucoin. Leighton fought off a shaky start to record the victory in his Hurricanes debut and then made 18 saves in a 1-0 loss to St. Louis Saturday night. Borer leads the Albany players in ice time, averaging 17:58 (27 shifts average) in three games for Carolina, Aucoin has averaged 10:31 (16 shifts) in two games, Nolan 4:02 (10 shifts) in two games and Brookbank 3:15 (5 shifts) in three games.

Week 15 Preview:

The River Rats are back on the road to start Week 15, playing their 40th game of the season Wednesday night at Verizon Arena in New Hampshire against the Manchester Monarchs. Albany will begin the second half of their regular season schedule on Friday, January 11th in Portland, Maine for a 7:00 pm face off with the Pirates at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The River Rats will return home on Saturday night for a 7:00 pm home game with the Worcester Sharks; their first meeting of the season. Sunday Albany is back on the road for a 4:00 pm matinee versus the Syracuse Crunch.

Week 15 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)

Wednesday, January 9th - 7:05 pm - Verizon Arena

@ Manchester Monarchs (15-15-4-2, 36 pts)

Sixth Place, Atlantic Division

This is the 40th game of the season for Albany, marking the halfway point of the 2007-08 regular season. In their first meeting on October 19th at the Times Union Center, the River Rats scored three goals in the first period on the way to a 5-2 win in Kevin Nastiuk's debut start for Albany. Ryan Bayda's scored his first goal of the year just 32 seconds into the game, still the fastest goal scored by the River Rats to open a game this season.

Leading Scorer: Teddy Purcell (RW) - 47 points (12 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Erik Ersberg (G) - 2.76 GAA, 0.903 save pct., 9-5-2-2 record in 22 games played.

Who's Hot: Brian Boyle (D) - 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in last ten games played. Gabe Gauthier (C) - 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) and +1 in last five games played. Teddy Purcell (RW) - 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in last five games played. Matt Moulson (LW) 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) and +3 rating in last ten games played.

Friday, January 11th - 7:05 pm - Cumberland County Civic Center

@ Portland Pirates (18-15-3-3, 42 pts)

Third Place, Atlantic Division

The River Rats enjoyed a record-setting night in their first meeting with Portland this season on December 7th in Albany. Goaltender Michael Leighton set a new franchise record with his 5th shutout of the season and the River Rats set a new team record for their 7th team shutout of the season in a 2-0 win at the Times Union Center. Despite taking the loss, Pirates goaltender Gerald Coleman turned in a stellar 32 save performance. Friday's game in Portland is the second of the four-game seasons series with the Pirates.

Leading Scorer: Andrew Ebbett (C) - 37 points (9 goals, 28 assists) in 38 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Mike McKenna (G) - 2.43 GAA, 0.916 save pct., 10-4-0 record in 16 games played.

Who's Hot: Geoff Platt (C) - 10 points (8 goal, 2 assists) in last ten games and five goals in last five games played. Petteri Wirtanen (C) - 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists) and +7 in last ten games played. Brandon Segal (RW) - 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and +2 rating in last five games played.

Saturday, January 12th - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Worcester Sharks (16-13-3-2, 37 pts)

Fifth Place, Atlantic Division

The River Rats will be facing Worcester for the first of a two-game season series; they have an All-Time record of 0-2-0-0, losing both games against the Sharks during the 2006-07 season, Worcester's first season of operations. The Sharks have won three of their last four games and begin their week with a road trip to Providence on Friday night before heading to Albany for Saturday's game.

Leading Scorer: Mike Iggulden (C) - 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Thomas Greiss (G) - 3.03 GAA, 0.900 save pct., 12-7-3-1 record in 23 games played.

Who's Hot: Mike Iggulden (C) - 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in last ten games played. Nate Raduns (F) - 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and +4 rating in last 5 games played. Derek Joslin (D) - 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and +4 rating in last five games played. Dan Spang (D) - 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists) and +4 rating in last ten games played.

Sunday, January 13th - 4:00 pm - War Memorial at Oncenter

@ Syracuse Crunch (18-20-1-1, 38 pts)

Third Place, North Division

The Crunch have won their last three games against Albany, including a 6-1 drubbing last Friday at the Times Union Center. Sunday's game is the third of four trips for the River Rats to Syracuse; they have lost both games at the War Memorial this season, both by 3-1 scores. Sunday's game is the 101st meeting between the two teams.

Leading Scorer: Joakim Lindstrom (LW) - 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 29 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Karl Goehring (G) - 2.81 GAA, 0.906 save pct., 4-5-0 record in 10 games played.

Who's Hot: Adam Pineault (RW) - 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists) and +4 rating in last five games played. Derek MacKenzie (C) - 4 assists and +4 rating in last five games played. Gilbert Brule (RW) 3 goals and +2 rating in three games played.

Week 14 Game Results:

1/4/08 Syracuse 6 @ Albany 1

ALBANY, NY - The River Rats suffered their second worst defeat of the season Friday night at the Times Union Center 6-1 at the hands of the Syracuse Crunch. RW Gilbert Brule scored a hat-trick and RW Adam Pineault had two goals of his own to pace the Crunch. Kevin Nastiuk recorded his first career loss with Albany, making his first start since being injured in Lowell on November 23rd. D Mark Flood scored a power play goal in the closing seconds of the second period, the River Rats only goal of the game. 1st Star - Gilbert Brule, 2nd Star - Adam Pineault, 3rd Star - Derek Brassard.

1/5/08 Philadelphia 4 @ Albany 2

ALBANY, NY - NHL veteran John Grahame made his Albany debut in goal, his first AHL action since May 2001. Grahame looked sharp early in the game, but the River Rats offense sputtered. Frederic Cabana scored two goals to lead the Phantoms, who never trailed in the game. Yannick Tifu scored his second goal of the year to put Albany on the board and Bobby Hughes followed with a goal, setup by a beautiful pass from Jerome Samson, cutting the lead to one-goal at 18:54 of the second period. But Philly regained their two-goal cushion 12 seconds later as they went on to a 4-2 win. 1st Star - Frederic Cabana, 2nd Star - Darroll Powe, 3rd Star - Jerome Samson.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 14)

Yannick Tifu - LW - #20 2 GP, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 0 PIMs

Rookie forward Yannick Tifu scored one goal and added one assist to lead Albany in scoring during Week 14; Tifu also was the only player to score a point in both games of the weekend. Tifu now has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and +1 rating in 9 games for the River Rats; his first stint in the AHL.

Rat Bites:

- A CENTURY FIRST - Friday night the River Rats battled the Syracuse Crunch for the 100th time in franchise history. Although Albany lost the game 6-1, they have an All-Time record of 43-39-9-9 against Syracuse.

- 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.

- ANOTHER CENTURY MILESTONE - D Brett Carson played in his 100th career AHL game on Friday against Syracuse. It was also Carson's 100th game for Albany, tallying 30 points (3 goals, 27 assists) and 34 penalty minutes in that span.

- A NEW GOALTENDER - NHL veteran John Grahame made his Albany debut on Saturday against Philadelphia. Grahame was assigned to the River Rats on Friday after clearing NHL waivers. He is the fifth goalie to see action for Albany this year.

- GOALS FROM AFAR - D Mark Flood scored a power play goal Friday against Syracuse, giving him six goals for the season. That strike moved Flood ahead of Casey Borer for the River Rats team lead in goals for a defenseman; Flood has 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 33 games for Albany this year.

- MISTER CONSISTENCY - Assistant captain Jamie Johnson is the only roster member to play in every game for the River Rats so far this season. He has 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists) and a +2 rating in 39 games played for Albany; he is currently second on the team in points and assists.

River Rats Recent Transactions

January 5 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) loaned John Grahame (G) to the Albany River Rats (AHL). Albany signed Joel Rechlicz (RW) to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

January 4 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) recalled Michael Leighton (G), Keith Aucoin (C) and Brandon Nolan (LW) from loan with the Albany River Rats (AHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Goals: Brandon Nolan, Jerome Samson (13)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (25)

Points: Keith Aucoin (32)

Plus/Minus: Casey Borer (+13)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (142)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (9)

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

Game-Winning Goals: Dave Gove, Brandon Nolan, Jerome Samson (3)

Shots: Jerome Samson (123)

Shooting Percentage: Bobby Hughes (16.7%)

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 36 (25-10-1-0) 51

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 35 (21-13-0-1) 43

Hershey 35 (20-13-0-2) 42

Albany 39 (20-17-0-2) 42

Binghamton 37 (16-16-3-2) 37

Bridgeport 36 (17-18-1-0) 35

Norfolk 37 (11-22-1-3) 26

The River Rats will play their 40th game of the season on Wednesday, January 9th on the road against the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 pm. Friday, January 11th Albany is in Maine for a game against the Portland Pirates. Saturday the River Rats host the Worcester Sharks at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center. Sunday Albany heads to Syracuse for a 4:00 pm afternoon game with the Crunch.

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 7, 2008


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