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Crunch Slip By Albany In Shootout 1-0

November 22, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


SYRACUSE, NY - Both goaltenders recorded shutouts as the Syracuse Crunch needed a shootout to beat the Albany River Rats 1-0 Saturday night at the War Memorial at Oncenter.

Syracuse came out with their expected high-flying intensity on home ice, but the River Rats rebuffed the early assault and goaltender Justin Peters looked very strong. Peters made several quick glove saves and then denied a breakaway attempt from Nikita Filatov with a poke-check as the Crunch rookie tried to drag a back-hand around the Albany net-minder. At the other end Dan LaCosta kept the game scoreless, most notably denying Dan LaCouture on two rebound chances during an Albany power play.

The second period proved more of the same as each team suffered a series of near misses and big saves. Syracuse defenseman Clay Wilson rang a power play shot off the right post and Albany blue-liner Casey Borer nearly put the River Rats in front, but his backhand shot trickled wide on a two-on-one rush. The Rats had three power plays in the middle frame, while the Crunch had two of their own, but the game remained scoreless after forty minutes of play.

Both teams had chances to go in front in the third period, but there was no beating the stellar play of the goaltenders. Syracuse had a power play in the final minute of overtime, but the River Rats forced a shootout with more stout defending.

In the shootout LaCosta did what was necessary to get the victory. He stopped four attempts and was bailed out by the left post on Joe Jensen's shot in the fourth round. Derek MacKenzie fired a snap shot passed the glove of Peters in round four to put Syracuse up 1-0 in the shootout, which was enough to give the home team a narrow shootout win.

Syracuse goalie Dan LaCosta recorded his first shutout of the season, making 36 saves through regulation and overtime, then blocking all five shootout attempts to help the Crunch improve to 13-5-0-1. Albany starter Justin Peters put forth another outstanding effort, turning aside 43 shots for his first shutout of the season and then three-of-four in the shootout as the River Rats went to 4-9-2-2 on the year. Syracuse out-shot Albany 44-36 in the game and were 0-for-5 on the power play; the River Rats went 0-for-6 with the man-advantage.

The River Rats are back in action on Thursday, November 27th with a 6:00 pm Thanksgiving game against the Binghamton Senators at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Albany's next home game is scheduled for Friday, November 28th as they host the Hershey Bears at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center.

River Rats flex ticket packages and individual game tickets are on sale now at the River Rats office and the Times Union Center Box Office. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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