Dwyer's Overtime Goal Stuns Senators 2-1

Published on March 8, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


GLENS FALLS, NY - Pat Dwyer scored a highlight-reel overtime goal lifting the Albany River Rats to a 2-1 win over the Binghamton Senators Saturday night, snapping a five-game losing streak at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Playing in their final regular season game in Glens Falls, the River Rats were looking jump on the Senators early. Albany received four-straight power plays, including a 40 second five-on-three, but they could not cash in on their chances. For the seventh straight game the River Rats did not score the first goal of the game as Justin Mapletoft came out of the penalty box, collected a clearing pass and snapped a shot across the body of goaltender Michael Leighton, hitting off the inside of the far post and into the net at 10:32. Albany out-shot the B-Sens 16-3 in the first period, but trailed 1-0 after twenty minutes.

After a scoreless second period, the River Rats finally got on the board and cracked the armor of goaltender Jeff Glass who was fantastic in goal for Binghamton. Mike Angelidis fired a shot from along the left boards near the hash mark that beat Glass to the far post at 2:35, assisted by Pat Dwyer and Nicolas Blanchard, to level the score at 1-1. The two teams battled throughout the final period, but neither could find the game-winner in the third. Things got tense in the final minute of regulation when Jamie Johnson was whistled for an accidental high-sticking penalty, giving the Senators a late power play opportunity.

The advantage carried over into overtime where the B-Sens had a full minute of a four-on-three power play, but they could not get the puck through Leighton and the stingy Albany penalty killers. Two minutes after Johnson's penalty expired Steve Ward intercepted a pass in the defensive zone and found Pat Dwyer at the blue line. Dwyer skated down the left wing, cut back at the offensive blue line and slid the puck between two Binghamton defenders, then unleashed a twisted wrist shot from the slot that blazed past the blocker of Glass at 3:46. The 5,429 fans erupted into a frenzy as the River Rats bench mobbed Dwyer in the offensive zone in celebration of their first win at the Glens Falls Civic Center in six games over the last two years.

Michael Leighton continued his mastery over Binghamton as he stopped 24-of-25 shots for his 24th win of the season, his sixth win against the Senators, helping Albany improve to 37-25-1-3 on the year. Jeff Glass was outstanding in goal for the B-Sens; making 32 saves on 34 shots as Binghamton fell to 28-27-6-4. Albany was 0-for-7 on the power play during the game, while the Senators were 0-for-2.

The River Rats will return to the ice on Wednesday, March 12th as they host the Portland Pirates for a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center. Albany and Portland have split the first two games of their four-game season series, with the home team taking each game.

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 March 8, 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.

OurSports Central