Penguins Blast Albany In High-Scoring Affair

December 6, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


WILKES-BARRE, PA - Jeff Taffe and J.M. Daoust each scored twice as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins overwhelmed the Albany River Rats 7-3 Saturday night at Wachovia Arena.

In their first of eight meetings in the regular season this year the Penguins got off to a dream start as J.M Daoust scored on the game's first shot, just 49 seconds into the first period, as he lifted the puck over rookie goaltender David Leggio, making his River Rats debut. Jeff Taffe, who assisted on Daoust's goal, gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 2-0 lead at 11:00 as he scored his 13th goal of the season. Albany had two power plays in the period but were held off the scoreboard by Penguins goalie Adam Berkhoel; the Rats were out-shot 11-6 in the opening frame.

The Penguins continued to assault the Albany goal in the second period and took a 3-0 lead at 3:05 as Tim Wallace scored his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Daoust and Jon D'Aversa. The River Rats finally found some life five minutes later when center Dwight Helminen turned a Penguins defenseman inside out and then snapped a wrist shot through the legs of Berkhoel at 8:15; Helminen's sixth goal of the year was assisted by Jerome Samson and Mark Flood. Albany continued to build some momentum over the next few shifts, but the game turned again when Joe Jensen was called for hooking. On the ensuing power play rookie Luca Caputi sent a perfect cross ice pass to the right circle, setting up Taffe's second goal of the game at 11:52 and Albany found themselves trailing by three goals again. The shots-on-goal disparity continued in the second period as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton out-shot the Rats 15-5 in the middle frame.

The goals continued to pile up in the third period as the two teams combined for five goals in the final twenty minutes. Caputi made it 5-1 at the 5:00 mark, but was answered 32 seconds later on Joe Jensen's fourth goal of the year assisted by Helminen and Samson. The Penguins struck back 37 seconds later on Daoust's second tally of the evening, giving the home side a 6-2 lead at 6:09. Two minutes elapsed before another goal went in, this time it was Mike Angelidis tipping the puck in for a power play goal, his team-leading eight of the year, cutting the lead to 6-3 at 8:08. But Nick Johnson finished off the scoring at 10:47 with his first goal of the season to give the Penguins a 7-3 win.

Adam Berkhoel made 22 saves on 25 shots to record the victory as the Penguins improved to 13-9-1-1 on he season. Rookie David Leggio blocked 26-of-33 shots in his first career AHL start as Albany had their three-game winning streak snapped, falling to 8-10-3-2 in the standings. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton out-shot the River Rats 33-25 in the game and finished 1-for-2 on the power play; Albany was 1-for-5 with the man advantage.

Albany continues their road trip on Sunday, December 7th with a 6:05 pm face off against the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena. The River Rats next home game is set for Saturday, December 13th as they host the Binghamton Senators for a 7:00 pm face off 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.



American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2008


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