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Nolan's Three-Point Game Leads Albany To 4-3 Win

January 19, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - Brandon Nolan scored two goals and added one assist to extend his point streak to ten games as he led the Albany River Rats to a 4-3 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night at the Times Union Center.

Albany took the lead midway through the first period when Keith Aucoin sent a laser-guided pass to Jakub Petruzalek at the far post who one-timed the puck into the net for a power play goal at 9:34; it was Petruzalek's sixth goal of the season, assisted by Aucoin and Brett Carson. Bridgeport tied the game 1-1 on a five-on-three power play as Trevor Smith poked home a Ben Walter pass at 15:01. But 64 seconds later Pat Dwyer brought the River Rats back in front when he scored his 100th professional point at 16:05, batting the puck out of mid air into the roof of the net, from Mark Flood and Brandon Nolan.

The Sound Tigers tied the game at two halfway through the second period after several Albany penalties, including a five-minute major for boarding on Jordan Fox, gave the visitors a sustained advantage. Albany killed off almost a full two-minute five-on-three power play, but then conceded a second Bridgeport power play goal when Drew Fata scored at 10:48; Fata's goal ended a span of 5:50 of consecutive penalty time for the River Rats. But Albany regained the lead 3-2 at 16:13 when defenseman Tim Conboy fired a long pass from his own zone right up the middle of the ice to send Brandon Nolan off on a breakaway. The River Rats left wing took the pass in stride, raced into the offensive zone and beat goaltender Wade Dubielewicz to the near post with a quick wrist shot.

Nolan was on the scoreboard again early in the third period to provide some necessary insurance. After gloving down a clearing attempt at the offensive blue line, Nolan snapped a quick pass across to Aucoin, who wound up ready for a far post one-timer. To everyone's surprise, especially the Bridgeport goaltender, the River Rats captain did not shoot, instead quickly returning a pass to Nolan who had plenty of time to score on the open net, slotting the puck home at 2:54 for his second goal of the game and 18th of the season. Bridgeport cut the lead to one with a Frans Nielsen power play goal on another two-man advantage at 13:35, but the River Rats hung on for a 4-3 win.

John Grahame was exceptional in goal for the River Rats, making 42 saves on 45 shots for his fourth win of the season; it was the second highest save total of the season for an Albany goaltender. The River Rats went 1-for-6 on the power play as they improved to 24-19-0-2 on the year. Wade Dubielewicz took the loss in goal for Bridgeport, stopping 18-of-22 shots as the Sound Tigers fell to 20-22-1-0. Bridgeport came into the game with the AHL's lowest power play rating, but scored all their goals on the man advantage, finishing the game 3-for-9.

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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