Rats Victorious Over Admirals In Return Home

Published on March 1, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


(March 1, 2009) ALBANY, NY - Bryan Rodney had a goal and two assists in his team's first home game since their February 19th bus crash, as the Albany River Rats beat the Norfolk Admirals 4-2 in front of 4,059 supporters Sunday evening at the Times Union Center. Albany scored the game's first goal midway through the first period when defenseman Bryan Rodney sent a big blast passed Norfolk goaltender Riku Helenius at 10:21; Brandon Sutter and Dwight Helminen assisted on the power play tally. Assistant captain Mike Angelidis made it 2-0 with five minutes left in the frame on a twisted wrist-shot across the goaltender's body and into the top left corner of the net; Rodney registered his second point of the game with the lone helper.

The River Rats out-shot the Admirals 12-4 in the opening frame and goaltender Daniel Manzato kept a clean-sheet through one. Manzato's work load increased in the second period as Norfolk seemed to find its offense; however, the netminder looked strong, turning away a number of close-range opportunities and goal-mouth flurries. In all the Admirals totaled 14 shots in the middle frame, but could not cut into the River Rats two goal lead. Admirals center Paul Szczechura finally beat Manzato and cut Albany's lead to 2-1 at 2:43 of the third period when he tucked a Mike Lundin rebound inside the far post.

Just three minutes later the Admirals tied the game as Pete Zingoni sent a sharp-angle backhander off the inside of Manzato's left leg pad and into the net at 5:46. Defenseman Brett Carson regained the lead for the River Rats with a soft wrist-shot through traffic that eluded a screened Helenius; the defenseman's fourth of the year came off of an offensive-zone faceoff from Jakub Petruzalek and center Nick Dodge at 10:14. Norfolk pulled their goalie for the extra attacker in the final minute of play and Albany iced the game with just 7.6 seconds to go when Rodney sent Petruzalek free down the right wing and the Rats forward skated the puck all the way to the goal line before releasing it into the empty net for his 15th goal of the year. Albany goaltender Daniel Manzato stopped 31-of-33 shots faced and earned his 12th win as the River Rats improved to 26-27-3-3 on the season. Admirals goalie Riku Helenius allowed three goals on 26 shots and took the loss as Norfolk fell to 23-29-3-5 on the year.

The Admirals out-shot Albany 33-27 in the game and went 0-for-3 on the power play; the River Rats went 1-for-7 with the man advantage. Next up for Albany is a short road trip on Friday, March 6th as they visit the Springfield Falcons for a 7:30 pm face off at MassMutual Center. The River Rats next home game is on Sunday, March 8th at the Glens Falls Civic Center as they host their archrival Syracuse Crunch at 5:00 pm. 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 March 1, 2009


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