River Rats Begin Season's Longest Road Trip

Published on January 30, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Week Ahead: RW Aleksander Suglobov will become the 24th player in Albany River Rats history to skate in the AHL All-Star Game when he laces up his skates for the 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, on Wednesday night. The AHL's showcase event gets underway on Tuesday, January 31, with the 2006 CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 8:00 p.m. (ET), followed by the annual All-Star Game at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on February 1. The 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic will be televised on a series of regional cable networks in the United States. It will also be offered at no charge on B2 Networks' broadband video webcast at theahl.com. The action can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio and on the internet at theahl.com. The Albany River Rats return to action following the All-Star break in a 7:05pm road contest against the Providence Bruins on Friday night (6:50pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Bruins (25-18-1-1, 4th Atlantic) dropped a 5-3 decision to the Philadelphia Phantoms at home last night. Former R.P.I. Engineer LW Eric Healey has four goals in the last five games and tops AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins with 44 (21-23) points this season. The River Rats hold a 24-17-6-4 record in all-time regular season series against the Baby Bruins, including an 11-10-3-1 road mark. Albany sports a 1-1-0-1 record against Providence this season, having been outscored 8-7 in the previous three games. Albany will close out the short weekend with a 2:05pm meeting against the Lowell Lock Monsters on the road Sunday afternoon (1:50pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Lock Monsters (20-22-4-4, 5th Atlantic) posted a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies at Tsongas Arena yesterday. C Mike Zigomanis scored twice in Wednesday's win over Albany and holds 13 (6-7) points in 11 games for the top prospects of the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche. The River Rats have an 8-10-2-0 record in the all-time regular season series against the Lock Monsters, which includes a 3-6-1-0 record on the road. Albany and Lowell have split the first four games of the season series, with the River Rats holding a 15-14 scoring advantage.

River Rats Practice Schedule: * The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff Tues., January 31, 2006 - 2006 CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition, 8:00pm (ET) Wed., February 1, 2006 - 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic, 8:00pm (ET) Thurs., February 2, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA; Travel to Providence Fri., February 3, 2006 - 11:15am Game Day Skate @ Dunkin Donuts Center; RIVER RATS @ Providence Bruins, 7:05pm Sat., February 4, 2006 - RIVER RATS @ Lowell Lock Monsters, 2:05pm Sun., February 5, 2006 - OFF DAY Mon., February 6, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA

Story Ideas Aleksander Suglobov - The team's leading scorer has taken major strides toward becoming an everyday NHLer this season. He is an assistant captain and has adapted his one-one-one moves in such as way as to better involve his teammates. Bobby Allen - The veteran defenseman has returned to the lineup with a plus four rating in his last three games. His presence is more meaningful with recent blueline injuries and he can often be overlooked for the steadying presence he provides.

Rat Bites: * C Chris Minard totaled four (1-3) points in four games last week and shows eight (5-3) points in 11 games since joining the River Rats from the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. * The additions of D Sean Brown, G Scott Clemmensen, RW Cam Janssen & LW Jason Ryznar brought the River Rats roster to 33 skaters for Sunday's game at Hartford. * D Dan McGillis recorded four (1-3) points last week and the veteran of 634 NHL match-ups now holds 10 (5-5) points in 13 games with the River Rats this year.

Rat Bites Continued: * RW Barry Tallackson posted five assists in four games last week and ranks second on the club with 27 points, while leading all River Rats with 19 assists. * LW Ahren Nittel returned to the lineup following an 11-game absence with one goal and one assist in Friday's win over Binghamton. He now has 10 (4-6) points in 17 games during the 2005-06 season. * C Nicklas Bergfors snapped an 11-game drought by scoring two power play goals 30 seconds apart in the second period on Saturday. The league's youngest player has 15 (7-8) points in 32 games this year. * Albany's power play went 6-for-26 in four games last week, good for an efficiency rating of 23 percent.

River Rats Rewind: Week 17 - January 23, 2006 (1-3-0-0, 2pts) January 25 - LOW 3 @ ALB 2 -D Dan McGillis and RW Aleksander Suglobov scored third period power play goals to erase a 2-0 deficit. RW Barry Tallackson picked up an assist for the second consecutive game and G Frank Doyle stopped 35 shots on goal in taking the loss. January 27 - BNG 2 @ ALB 4 - RW Barry Tallackson set a career-high with three assists and RW Aaron Voros scored the game-winner early in the third period. RW Aleksander Suglobov scored for the second straight game, while C Chris Minard & LW Ahren Nittel each posted a goal and an assist. January 29 - MCH 4 @ ALB 2 - C Nicklas Bergfors scored power play goals 30 seconds apart late in the second period but the Monarchs would go on to score three times in the third period for the win. D Dan McGillis and RW Aleksander Suglobov each recorded two assists and G Gregg Naumenko stopped 24 shots in his first start for the River Rats. . January 30 - ALB 4 @ HFD 5 - RW Aleksander Suglobov scored two goals in his last contest before the AHL All-Star game. RW Barry Tallackson chipped in a goal and an assist, while RW David Clarkson added the other tally. G Scott Clemmensen stopped 28 shots on goal while with the club on a conditioning assignment

Upcoming Promotions:

Wednesday, February 15, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Kids In Free Wednesday! All Children 12 & Under Get In FREE With A Paid Adult! Special "Mouse Trap" Kids Concession Stand with Discount Prices!

Friday, February 17, 2006 @ 7:00pm -Family Fun Friday! Radio Disney Fun Zone with Games, Music & Prizes!

Saturday, February 18, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Jimmy Neutron Visits Pepsi Arena! Meet Nickelodeon's Kid Scientist Live!

For further information on 2005-06 season and flex ticket packages contact (518) 487-2244 or visit www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2006


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