Portland out-guns Albany 6-5

Published on January 11, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


PORTLAND, ME - The Portland Pirates held off the Albany River Rats in a wild 6-5 game Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Albany were on their heels early as they were whistled for two minor penalties in the opening minutes, giving the Pirates a two-man power play for almost 90 seconds. But the River Rats penalty-killers buckled down and held the AHL's 8th ranked power play unit off the board. After being shutout in Albany on December 7th, Portland finally scored their first goal against the River Rats this season, taking a 1-0 lead at 7:28. Albany failed to clear away the puck after Drew Miller's shot was stopped by goaltender John Grahame and Andrew Ebbett's wrist shot on the rebound was tipped by Jason King, his 12th goal of the season.

Portland opened up a three goal lead early in the second period, Bobby Ryan scored his 11th goal of the year at 3:40 and Geoff Platt unleashed a thundering one-timer from above the right face off circle at 11:22, his 21st goal of the year for a 3-0 lead. But the River Rats found themselves in the second half of the period. Defenseman J.D. Forrest got the team energized when one-timed a pass from Brandon Nolan off goaltender Mike McKenna and into the net at 15:02 sparking a three-goal output in the span of 3:21. Nolan made it 3-2 at 16:21 on a back post pass from Pat Dwyer and newcomer Jordan Fox and then Jerome Samson tied the game at 18:23, scoring his 15th goal of the year.

Portland took control of the third period with another three-goal explosion in the first eight minutes of the period. Stephen Dixon scored at 2:03 and then Drew Miller crashed the net on a rebound at 5:50 for a 5-3 lead. The Pirates regained their three-goal lead when Michal Birner scored his fourth goal of the season at 7:56, completing a one-side start to the third period. But again Albany found themselves in the second half of the period. Nicolas Blanchard out-skated two Portland defenseman, then slid the puck through McKenna's five-hole for a short-handed goal, his 4th goal of the year at 11:47 to make the scored 6-4. In the final minute, with three players in the penalty box, Albany pulled Grahame for a 5-on-3 advantage and defenseman Bryan Rodney connected. He crushed a slap shot from the point over the blocker of McKenna for his first goal of the season, and second of his AHL career, at 19:06. Albany had another chance to tie the game with a power play in the last 30 seconds, but Portland held on for a 6-5 win.

Mike McKenna earned the win, making 30 saves on 35 shots as the Pirates improved to 23-13-2-2. John Grahame took the loss in goal for Albany, stopping 27-of-33 shots as the River Rats dropped to 21-17-0-2 this year. Albany finished the game 1-for-6 on the power play, while Portland was 1-for-5.

The River Rats return home on Saturday, January 12th as they host the Worcester Sharks at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center. Sunday Albany will head to Syracuse for a 4:00 pm match up with the Crunch at the War Memorial at Oncenter.

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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American Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2008


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