Albany Tops Manchester For First Time In Five Years

Published on October 22, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The River Rats snapped a 5-year losing streak against the Manchester Monarchs to open Week 3 action Friday night. Albany had not beaten Manchester since December 6, 2002. Ryan Bayda scored 32 seconds into the game sparking a 3-goal first period that ousted goalie Dan Cloutier from the Monarchs' net. Dave Gove, Nicolas Blanchard, Keith Aucoin and Bobby Hughes also scored for Albany in the 5-2 rout of Manchester. The River Rats carried their high-flying momentum into Saturday's game with Springfield. The Falcons were on their heels for the first 40 minutes, but were only down 2-1 going into the third period thanks to the stellar goaltender of Jeff Deslauriers. Springfield score two quick goals in the third, which changed turned the tides dramatically. The Falcons added an empty net goal and another goal in the final 30-seconds to turn a 1-goal game into a 5-2 win over Albany.

The River Rats head into Week 4 with the last game of their 4-game home stand, a Wednesday affair with the Syracuse Crunch at the Times Union Center. Friday Albany visits Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the first time this year and completes the week with a Sunday afternoon game at Hershey.

Week 4 Schedule: (Home Games in Bold)

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

Wednesday, October 24 7:00 pm vs. Syracuse Crunch (2-4-0-0, 4 pts) Sixth Place, North Division Friday, October 26 7:05 pm vs. WB/Scranton Penguins (3-3-0-0, 6 pts) Third Place, East Division Sunday, October 28 5:00 pm vs. Hershey Bears (1-3-0-0, 2 pts) Seventh Place, East Division

Week 3 Game Results:

10/19/07 Manchester 2 @ Albany 5

ALBANY, NY - The Albany River Rats scored thirty seconds into the game and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Manchester Monarchs Friday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats jumped on the attack right off the opening face off and immediate put the Monarchs on the back foot. Keith Aucoin snapped a crisp pass to Jerome Samson, who unleashed a shot that was denied by a sprawling Dan Cloutier, but Ryan Bayda was in perfect position to collect the rebound and shoot into an open net. The goal coming at 0:32 of the first period, Bayda's first goal of the season. Dave Gove doubled the River Rats lead at 7:32 assisted by Bobby Hughes and Mike Angelidis; Gove's 2nd goal of the season. Brandon Nolan scored at 15:48, from Nicolas Blanchard and Wade Brookbank, capping a one-sided first period that saw Albany out-shoot Manchester 14-3.

Manchester replaced Cloutier with backup Erik Ersberg for the start of the second period in hopes of stopping Albany's momentum. But the River Rats picked up where they left off at the midway point of the period as rookie sensation Jerome Samson scored his team-leading third goal of the season at 10:01. Samson's goal, a power play goal, was set up beautifully by Aucoin and Nolan to give Albany a 4-0 lead. But Manchester gained a little momentum later in the period when Gabe Gauthier scored a power play goal at 15:59 to put the Monarchs on the board.

In the third period rookie center Bobby Hughes, playing in just his third pro game, scored his first career professional goal at 2:57, assisted by Aucoin and Brett Carson, regaining the River Rats 4-goal lead. Manchester finished off the scoring 10:45 when defenseman Troy Milam's shot from the blue line deflected up in the air and bounced into the net past Albany goalie Kevin Nastiuk who never saw the shot through the building fog at ice level; Milam was credited with the goal that made the score 5-2 River Rats.

Kevin Nastiuk recorded the win in his first start of the season for Albany, stopping 27-of-29 shots; it was his second career AHL victory. Dan Cloutier took the loss for Manchester; making 11 saves on 14 shots in the first period. Erik Ersberg played the final two periods, blocking 15-of-17 shots. Albany finished 1-for-5 on the power play and out-shot Manchester 31-29, while the Monarchs were 1-for-4 with the man-advantage.

10/20/07 Springfield 5 @ Albany 2

ALBANY, NY - The Springfield Falcons scored four third period goals in a 5-2 comeback win over the Albany River Rats Saturday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats came out flying off the opening puck drop for the second straight night and immediately went on the attack. Springfield defenseman Bryan Young was whistled for Interference just 15-seconds into the game; but Albany was not able to capitalize on the ensuing power play. Four minutes later captain Keith Aucoin tallied his first goal of the season at 6:45, a five-on-three power play goal, assisted by Jerome Samson and Brett Carson, giving the River Rats a 1-0 lead. Albany out-shot Springfield 14-7 in the first twenty minutes of play, but could not add to their one-goal advantage before the intermission.

In the second period Falcons' forward Liam Reddox scored on a shot from the right face off circle during a 3-on-2 rush at 9:18, tying the game 1-1. But two minutes later the River Rats used the power play to regain the lead. Jamie Johnson followed up a rebound from Bobby Hughes and Noah Babin at 11:18, for his first goal of the season and a 2-1 Albany advantage.

Through 40 minutes of play the River Rats out-shot Springfield 31-20, but the third period was the complete opposite. Defenseman Ladislav Smid scored on a slap shot from the blue line for a power play goal at 2:04, his first goal of the season, tying the game 2-2. Smid scored again at 3:47, his second goal of the game, on another long-range shot to put the Falcons ahead 3-2. Albany pulled their goalie in the final minute of play for an extra attacker, but gave up an empty net goal to Patrik Thoresen at 19:35 to put Springfield up 4-2. With goaltender Michael Leighton back in the net, Rob Schremp added insult to injury when he scored at 19:50, capping off a four-goal third period for Springfield and a 5-2 Falcons win.

Jeff Deslauriers earned the win in goal for Springfield; making 34 saves on 36 shots. Michael Leighton was tagged with his second loss of the year in goal for Albany, finishing with 30 saves on 34 shots. Albany out-shot Springfield in the game 36-35 and went 2-for-7 on the power play; the Falcons were 1-for-4 on their power plays.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 3)

Keith Aucoin - C - #11 2 GP, 1 Goal, 3 Assists, 4 Point, -2, 2 PIMs

Keith Aucoin raised the bar offensively in Week 3. The captain recorded Albany's first 3-point game of the season with 3 assists Friday against Manchester. He came back on Saturday to score his first goal of the season against Springfield. Aucoin is currently on a 3-game point scoring streak and leads the River Rats with 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists). Sunday he was called up to the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) for the first time this season.

Rat Bites:

- THE STREAK IS OVER - Friday's 5-2 win by Albany over Manchester snapped a 5-year winless streak for the River Rats against the Monarchs. Albany had not beaten Manchester since December 6th, 2002 (a 4-3 overtime win). Prior to Friday night the River Rats had gone 0-11-1-2 against Manchester in their last 14 meetings.

- OFF TO RALEIGH - Albany had their first two call ups to the NHL at the end of Week 3. Center Keith Aucoin and left wing Ryan Bayda were both recalled to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Both players have played for Carolina in previous seasons and Bayda started this year in a 'Canes uniform. The Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks at 7:00 pm Monday night at the RBC Center.

- A FAST BICENTENNIAL - Left wing Ryan Bayda opened his 2007-08 goal-scoring account on Friday against Manchester, scoring just 32 seconds into the game. The goal was his first of the season and 200th point of his AHL career. Bayda has 75 goals and 125 assists in 288 AHL games.

- FIRST WIN - Goaltender Kevin Nastiuk made his Albany debut on Friday against Manchester and earned the win in his first River Rats start. Nastiuk made 27 saves on 29 shots through foggy conditions at the Times Union Center. It was Nastiuk's 12th appearance in an AHL game, but only his second victory, he played 11 games (1-7-3) for the Lowell Lock Monsters in 2005-06.

- ANOTHER FIRST - Rookie center Bobby Hughes recorded his first pro point during Week 2. In the very next game, Friday against Manchester, Hughes scored his first pro goal at 2:57 of the third period. He has 4 points (1 goal 3 assists) in his 4-game pro career, all in 2007-08.

- A NEW ACCOUNT - Rookie forward Bobby Hughes recorded his first professional point with an assist Saturday against the Norfolk Admirals. Hughes assisted on Jerome Samson's power play goal at 19:48 of the second period; it was only his 2nd career pro game played.

River Rats Recent Transactions

October 21, 2007 - Keith Aucoin (C) and Ryan Bayda (LW) were recalled from loan by Carolina (NHL).

October 19, 2007 - Daniel Manzato (G) was reassigned to Florida (ECHL).

October 17, 2007 - David Cornacchia (D) was signed to a standard AHL player contract and assigned to Florida (ECHL).

October 16, 2007 - J.D. Forrest (D) was reassigned to Florida (ECHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Goals: Jerome Samson (3)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (5)

Points: Keith Aucoin (6)

Plus/Minus: Dave Gove, Nicolas Blanchard (+2)

Penalty Minutes: Brandon Nolan (31)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (3)

Short Handed Goals: N/A (0)

Shots: Jerome Samson (18)

Shooting Percentage: Dave Gove (25.0%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (116)

Wins: Michael Leighton, Kevin Nastiuk (1)

GAA: Kevin Nastiuk (2.00)

Save Percentage: Kevin Nastiuk (0.931)

The River Rats complete their four-game home stand on Wednesday October 24th as they host the Syracuse Crunch for a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center. Friday, October 26th Albany will travel to Pennsylvania for their first meeting of the season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Sunday the River Rats are in Hershey for a 5:00 pm game against the Bears.

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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2007


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