Munroe Baffles Albany Again

Published on November 19, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


PHILADELPHIA, PA - Claude Giroux scored two goals and goaltender Scott Munroe stopped all 31 shots he faced as the Philadelphia Phantoms shutout the Albany River Rats 5-0 Wednesday morning at Wachovia Spectrum.

Playing in front of 6,199 energetic school kids, the River Rats got off to a great start and put Philadelphia back on their heels. But the momentum stalled during an early Rats power play and then turned towards the Phantoms as Jeff Szwez poked in a loose rebound at 3:32 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. Albany had a second power play in the final five minutes of the frame, but could not generate many quality scoring chances on goaltender Scott Munroe.

The Phantoms struck again at 2:15 of the second period when Jonathan Matsumoto stole a pass in the neutral zone, skated down the left wing and blasted a shot off goaltender Justin Peters and into the net for his ninth goal of the season, unassisted. It was 3-0 Philadelphia at 10:22 on Patrick Maroon's power play goal, set up by Danny Syvret and Jason DeSantis. In a penalty-riddled period, Albany received their third power play almost immediately after the Phantoms' third goal, but it did not benefit the visitors. Claude Giroux stole a pass near the red line and raced in on a breakaway, faking out Peters before slotting a backhand shot into the net for a shorthanded goal and a 4-0 Philadelphia lead.

In the third period it took just 39 seconds for Giroux to score again as he tallied his second goal of the game when his centering pass redirected off an Albany defenseman and into the net. At that moment Peters was replaced by backup goaltender Daniel Manzato, who finished the game in goal for the Rats. Albany had four more power plays in the third period, but were completely perplexed by the Munroe and the Phantoms as the game ended with a 5-0 Philadelphia win.

Scott Munroe turned aside all 31 shots he faced to record his third shutout of the season, helping the Phantoms improve to 9-8-0-0 on the year. Albany starter Justin Peters took he loss, stopping 20-of-25 shots in 40:39 of action. Backup Daniel Manzato made eight saves and did not allow a goal in 19:20 of relief as the River Rats fell to 3-9-2-1 on the season. Albany finished the game 0-for-8 on the power play, while Philadelphia was 1-for-6 with the advantage and out-shot the River Rats 33-31.

The River Rats will return home on Friday, November 21st as they again host the Syracuse Crunch 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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American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2008


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