Sports stats

Albany Thumps Manchester 7-1

December 12, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


MANCHESTER, NH - Michael Ryan scored a hat trick and added two assists as the Albany River Rats charged over the Manchester Monarchs 7-1 Friday night at Verizon Wireless Arena.

Looking to break a two-game losing streak, the River Rats failed to record a shot on goal in the first few minutes of the game. The rest of the period was tipped decisively in Albany's favor as the Rats scored three unanswered goals. Pat Dwyer started the scoring at 8:59 when he followed up his own rebound to tally his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Jerome Samson and Dwight Helminen. Three minutes later it was 2-0 Albany as Jakub Petruzalek took a neutral zone pass from Michael Ryan, blew passed the Monarchs defensemen and scorched a wrist shot by goaltender Jonathan Bernier for his team-leading eighth goal of the year. Samson made it 3-0 Albany at 16:17 as he lifted a backhand shot over Bernier and off the bottom of the cross bar for his seventh goal of the season.

Manchester got into penalty trouble early in the second period, handing the River Rats a five-on-three power play. Albany capitalized on the opportunity and took a 4-0 lead when defenseman Mark Flood bombed home a one-timer from the top of the blue line at 6:54. Because of a double-minor penalty to Monarchs defenseman Drew Bagnall, the five-on-three continued for the River Rats and it was 5-0 less than one minute later on Michael Ryan's sizzling slap shot from the top of the right face off circle. The goal was Ryan's fifth of the year, coming at 7:35, and it assisted by Dwyer and defenseman Steve Ward, who was playing in his first AHL action of the 2008-09 season. The Monarchs did have one bright moment of the second period when David Meckler scored one second after a power play expired at 16:55, but the River Rats held on to a 5-1 lead into the break.

The River Rats tacked on two more insurance goals in the third period to put the game out of reach. Michael Ryan scored both as he recorded Albany's first hat trick since January 20, 2007. Ryan scored his second goal of the night at 8:10 to make it 6-1 River Rats and then capped off his performance with a breakaway goal at 17:19 to complete the 7-1 rout of the Monarchs.

River Rats goaltender Daniel Manzato earned his fourth win in his last five starts by stopping 25-of-26 shots to help Albany improve to 9-11-3-2. Manchester starting goaltender Jonathan Bernier took the loss as he allowed three goals on ten shots in the first period before being replaced. Backup goalie Jonathan Quick played the final two periods and made 16 saves on 20 shots as the Monarchs fell to 10-10-0-4. The River Rats out-shot Manchester 30-26 and went 2-for-4 on the power play; the Monarchs were 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

The River Rats will return to Albany for a two-game weekend home stand, beginning on Saturday, December 13th as they host the Binghamton Senators for a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center.



American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 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.

Other Recent Albany River Rats Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central