Bolstered Squad Sweeps Weekend Home Stand

Published on January 21, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


Revitalized by a week of practice and the return of several players from NHL call up with Carolina, the River Rats regained their winning form with a two-game sweep of their weekend home stand in Week 16. Defenseman Casey Borer returned to Albany on Friday, after playing in eight games with the Hurricanes in his first career stint in the NHL. Borer had three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and four penalty minutes; he scored his first NHL goal in just his second career NHL game. Friday night Albany broke a nearly four-year drought against the Hershey Bears with their first home win against the Bears 4-2. Since March 28, 2004, the River Rats have gone 1-12-0-1 against Hershey at the Times Union Center, with Friday's victory being the first in fourteen meetings. Saturday Albany made it two straight East Division wins as they knocked off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-3. Bridgeport out-shot Albany by a massive 45-22, but thanks to a superb performance from goaltender John Grahame and a three-point effort from Brandon Nolan the River Rats are back in a tie for second place in the East Division.

Week 17 Preview:

After a relatively light schedule with just two games and no travel last week Albany is back to three games, two of which are on the road. Wednesday night the River Rats face the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center. It is Hartford's only trip to Albany this year and the Rats will be looking to avenge their 4-1 loss in Hartford on November 10th. Albany will then make their farthest trip of the year as they travel to Norfolk for a Friday-Saturday twin bill against the Admirals at the Norfolk Scope.

The big news at the beginning of the week is the return of All-Star goaltender Michael Leighton, who was reassigned to Albany by Carolina after John Grahame cleared reentry waivers Monday afternoon. Leighton, who played in three games for the Hurricanes, returns to the River Rats still leading the AHL in shutouts (5) and save percentage (0.928) and ranks second in the league in goals-against average (2.14). Leighton's return is also promising news for next week's AHL All-Star Classic in Binghamton, as the Petrolia, Ontario native was named as the starting goaltender for the Canadian All-Stars.

Week 17 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 23rd - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (25-13-2-4, 56 pts)

Third Place, Atlantic Division

The River Rats lost to Hartford on November 10th 4-1 in an uninspiring game against the Wolf Pack. Albany scored first in the game against the run of play, but managed just 16 shots on goal in the game. The River Rats have an All-Time home record of 5-9-2-4 against the Wolf Pack and lost in a shootout in their only home game against Hartford in 2006-07.

Leading Scorer: Pierre Parenteau (RW) - 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists) in 41 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Al Montoya (G) - 2.56 GAA, 0.905 save pct., 11-7-1-3 record in 25 GP.

Who's Hot: Andrew Hutchinson (D) - 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) five games played. Ryan Callahan (RW) - 9 points (4 goal, 5 assists) and +4 in last nine games played. Alex Bourret (RW) - 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and +3 rating in last three games played.

Friday, January 25th - 7:15 pm - Norfolk Scope

&

Saturday, January 26th - 7:15 pm - Norfolk Scope

@ Norfolk Admirals (12-27-1-3, 28 pts)

Seventh Place, East Division

The River Rats are 2-0-0-1 against Norfolk this season, all at the Times Union Center. After falling 2-1 in a shootout in their home opener on October 13th, Albany retaliated with a 7-0 drubbing on November 28th, their largest margin of victory this season. They followed that game with a 4-3 overtime win on November 30th. The River Rats have a road record of 4-9-1-3 All-Time against Norfolk; they went 1-2-0-1 at the Norfolk Scope last season.

Leading Scorer: Norm Milley (RW) - 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 39 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Marc Denis (G) - 3.13 GAA, 0.882 save pct., 1-6-0-1 record in 8 GP.

Who's Hot: Norm Milley (RW) - 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) in last eight games played. David Schneider (D) - 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in last five games played. Paul Szczechura (C) - 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and +1 rating in last three games played.

Week 16 Game Results:

1/18/08 Hershey 2 @ Albany 4

ALBANY, NY - The River Rats snapped a 13-game home losing streak to the Hershey Bears with a 4-2 win Friday night at the Times Union Center. Chris Bourque erased a 2-0 River Rats lead in the span of 78 seconds when he scored two goals at 17:27 and 18:45 of the second period. But rookie Jordan Fox scored a spectacular third period goal from his knees, netting the game-winning goal midway through the third period and captain Keith Aucoin scored an insurance goal on the power play to complete Albany's first win at home over Hershey since March 28th, 2004. 1st Star - Keith Aucoin, 2nd Star - Chris Bourque, 3rd Star - Brandon Nolan.

1/19/08 Bridgeport 3 @ Albany 4

ALBANY, NY - Goaltender John Grahame made 42 saves on 45 Bridgeport shots and Brandon Nolan had a three-point night to lead Albany to a 4-3 win over the Sound Tigers Saturday at the Times Union Center. Jakub Petruzalek scored a goal for the second straight game and Pat Dwyer tallied his 100th career Pro point to the River Rats ahead 2-1 after the first period. Drew Fata tied the game at two with a power play goal at 10:48 of the second period, but Brandan Nolan broke the deadlock with a breakaway goal at 16:13, then added his second of the game at 2:54 of the third period. Keith Aucoin had two assists in the game, extending his assist streak to a team-high six games this year. 1st Star - Brandon Nolan, 2nd Star - Keith Aucoin, 3rd Star - John Grahame.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 16)

Brandon Nolan - LW - #12 2 GP, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, +4, 2 PIMs

Left wing Brandon Nolan has continued his sensational run of form this week, extending his point-scoring streak to an Albany season-high ten games (16 points). Nolan scored his 16th goal on Friday night to help the River Rats overcome the Hershey Bears. Saturday against Bridgeport he had two goals and 1 assist for his fourth three-point game of the year; his third in six games. Nolan's assist on Saturday was his 100th career AHL point; in 190 career AHL games, he has 102 points (44 goals, 58 assists).

Rat Bites:

- MACHINE-LIKE - LW Brandon Nolan extended his current point-streak to ten games this week, scoring 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) and a +6 rating over that span. Nolan has scored in 16 of his last 17 games for Albany, posting 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) and a +8 rating, beginning on November 28th vs. Norfolk.

- THE STREAK IS OVER - Albany's 4-2 win over Hershey on Friday night snapped a 13-game home losing streak to the Bears. Prior to Friday, the River Rats had not beaten Hershey at the Times Union Center since March 28, 2004, going 0-12-0-1 over that period.

- AHL MILESTONE - G John Grahame had 42 saves in a win against Bridgeport on Saturday and in doing so, he passed the 4,000 saves mark for his AHL career. Grahame now has 4,027 saves in 153 career AHL games (8,660 minutes).

- HONORABLE MENTION - C Keith Aucoin also tallied four points in Albany's two games this week. The River Rats captain had a goal and an assist Friday against Hershey, then added two more assists Saturday against Bridgeport.

- TWO CENTENNIALS, ONE PLAY - RW Pat Dwyer scored his 100th career Pro point on Saturday against Bridgeport with a goal in the first period; it was his 197th career Pro game played. LW Brandon Nolan recorded his 100th career AHL point on Saturday with an assist on Dwyer's goal; it was in his 190th career AHL game.

- MISSED MAN-GAMES - LW Trevor Gillies returned to the lineup Friday against Hershey after missing 20 straight games with an injury. LW Ryan Bayda has missed 17 consecutive games after being injured on December 14th in Lowell. The River Rats have six players that have missed 13 or more games this season due to injury totaling almost 100 man-games missed.

- MORE HIGH MARKS - C Jamie Johnson recorded his 200th career Pro assist on Friday against Hershey. Johnson ranks second on the River Rats with 21 assists this season. D Bryan Rodney played in his 150th career Pro game on Friday night. Rodney has appeared in 23 career AHL games, including 15 games for Albany this season since joining the team on December 16th.

River Rats Recent Transactions

January 21 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) recalled John Grahame (G) from loan with the Albany River Rats (AHL). Carolina (NHL) also returned Michael Leighton (G) on loan to Albany (AHL).

January 18 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) returned Casey Borer (D) on loan to the Albany River Rats (AHL). Albany signed Jordan Fox (C) to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Games Played: Jamie Johnson (45)

Goals: Brandon Nolan (18)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (31)

Points: Keith Aucoin (39)

Plus/Minus: Casey Borer (+14)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (159)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (9)

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

Game-Winning Goals: Dave Gove & Brandon Nolan (4)

Shots: Jerome Samson (131)

Shooting Percentage: Jordan Fox (40.0%)

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 44 (28-14-1-1) 58

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 41 (24-15-0-2) 50

Hershey 42 (24-16-0-2) 50

Albany 45 (24-19-0-2) 50

Binghamton 44 (21-16-4-3) 49

Bridgeport 43 (20-22-1-0) 41

Norfolk 43 (12-27-1-3) 28

The River Rats are back in action on Wednesday, January 23rd, as they will face off with the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Times Union Center. Scheduled for a 7:00 pm face off, it is the only time the New York Rangers' top minor-league affiliate will travel to Albany this season.

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2008


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