River Rats' busy February continues

Published on February 24, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats make their first ever visit to the Winnipeg Arena for a pair of games against the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8:30pm. The Rats return home to host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 7:00pm face-off on Mardi Gras Night at Pepsi Arena on Friday. Albany then makes its fourth and final visit to the GIANT Center to take on the Hershey Bears on Saturday night at 7:00pm.

Rat Bites:

C Craig Darby had his four-game point (1-4-5) streak snapped on Sunday afternoon at Hamilton. The Saratoga resident is tied for eighth in the AHL with 49 (17-32-49) points and leads the River Rats in each offensive category.

RW Jiri Bicek has points (1-2-3) in three straight games and took sole possession of second place in club history by picking up his 163rd career assist last week. He ranks fifth on the team with 24 (10-14-24) points and is tied for tops with two game-winners.

D Raymond Giroux skated in his 300th AHL game on Saturday night in Rochester. He tops all AHL defensemen with 10 goals and ranks 12th among league blueliners with 25 points during the 2003-04 campaign.

LW Steve Kariya scored goals (four) in three straight games last week and stands third on the club with 27 (10-17-27) points in only 34 games this year.

LW Rob Skrlac skated in his 250th game as a member of the Albany River Rats on Friday against Wilkes-Barre. He needs just 40 penalty minutes to become to the second player in team history to accumulate 1,000 penalty minutes.

Over the Air:

** Hear all the action LIVE at www.albanyriverrats.com**

Community Calendar:

Mon., Feb. 23rd @ 10:30am - "Rowdy" The Rat will visit with children at the Albany Jewish Community Center as part of the club's "Reading with Rowdy" program.

Tues., Feb. 24th @ 6:00pm – "Rowdy" The Rat will visit with children at Sacandaga Elementary School as part of the club's "Reading with Rowdy" program.

Wed., Feb. 25th @ 3:30pm - "Rowdy" The Rat will visit with children at Abor Hill Elementary School as part of the club's "Reading with Rowdy" program.

River Rats Rewind: Week 20 - February 16, 2004 (1-1-2-0, 4pts)

February 18th – NOR 4 @ ALB 2 – LW Ilkka Pikkarainen scored a first period goal but the Admirals netted three-second period markers to spoil the debut of new River Rats head coach Robbie Ftorek. C Eric Johansson tallied a power play goal in the third frame but the comeback would fall short.

February 20th - WBS 3 @ ALB 3 F/OT – LW Steve Kariya & RW Jiri Bicek scored goals in the first two minutes of the third period allowing the club to earn a point after trailing 2-1 at the end of the second period. G Matus Kostur made 20 saves in his third start, while the River Rats sent 40 shots on goal in their third and final home game against the Penguins.

February 21st – ALB 2 @ ROC 0 – G Ari Ahonen stopped all 28 shots on goal to record his second shutout of the season as the River Rats snapped their 14-game road winless streak. LW Steve Kariya tallied both Albany goals and C Craig Darby picked up an assist for the fourth straight game.

February 22nd - ALB 2 @ HAM 2 F/OT – RW Chris Hartsburg opened the scoring with his fourth goal, while Captain Mike Matteucci posted a goal and an assist as the River Rats extended their unbeaten streak to three (1-0-2) games. G Ari Ahonen stopped 39 of 41 shots in the club's second (1-0-1) game of a four-game road trip.

Upcoming Promotions:

Fri., February 27th vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers @ 7:00pm

MARDI GRAS NIGHT!

Catch beads to win prizes like tickets to the Mardi Gras Festival 2004 at Proctor's Theater! Others will win dining certificates from Bayou Café! Join us for New Orleans-style jazz & Zydeco music! Food Specials featuring favorites from the Big Easy!

Wed., March 3rd vs. Springfield Falcons @ 7:00pm

$10 Wednesday

THE BEST DEAL IN TOWN!

ALL seats are only $10 to see the River Rats look to clip the Falcons!

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American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2004


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