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River Rats drink up 'The Pepsi' before All-Star break

February 7, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats open a three-game homestand against the Springfield Falcons in a 7:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena on Wednesday night. The Falcons (14-29-2-2, 7th Atlantic) are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over the Providence Bruins at home on Saturday night. RW Shane Willis scored twice on Saturday and leads the club with 29 (16-13) points in 39 games during the 2004-05 campaign. C Craig Darby will captain the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars at the upcoming 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic and leads the top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning with 20 assists this season. Albany holds a 23-22-9-3 record in the all-time regular season series against Springfield, including a 13-9-6 record at home. The River Rats are 1-2 against the Falcons this season, having been outscored 8-7 in the three games. River Rat LW Ilkka Pikkarainen (2-1) and D Ray Schultz (1-2) both have three points in the series, while former Rat Darby tops the Falcons with three (1-2) points. The teams meet another two times this season on March 19th in Springfield and finally on March 26th in a 4:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena.

Albany will host the Portland Pirates on Friday at 7:00pm in their only visit to Pepsi Arena this season. It will be American Heart Association Go Red For Women Night where fans wearing Red to the game can get $4 off an adult ticket or $3 off a child ticket! The Pirates (20-22-3-4, 6th Atlantic) have won three straight games following a 3-2 shootout victory over the Manchester Monarchs at home on Saturday. C Trent Whitfield tops the roster with 19 assists and 29 points in 38 games during the 2004-05 season. C Brian Sutherby has assists (five) in four straight games and shows 20 (8-12) points in 32 games for the top affiliate of the Washington Capitals. Albany holds a 16-13-5-3 record in the all-time regular season series against Portland, including an 8-6-4 mark on home ice. The River Rats posted a 3-2 shootout victory over the Pirates back on November 13th at the Cumberland County Civic Center in the only other meeting.

The River Rats close out their pre-All-Star schedule with a 4:00pm face-off against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday afternoon. Nickelodeon's Dora The Explorer will be at the game, fans can register to win a trip to Disney World or win a Hannoush Jewelers diamond! The Senators (27-18-3-3, 2nd East) dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime to the Hershey Bears on the road Saturday night and will visit Bridgeport on Friday. C Jason Spezza has already set a team record with his AHL-leading 74 (23-51) points in just 52 games for the Sens. Rookie LW Brandon Bochenski tops all newcomers with 20 goals and 40 points for the top affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. Albany holds a 7-12-3-2 record in the all-time regular season series against Binghamton, including a 4-5-1-1 record at home. The River Rats are 4-2 against the Senators this season, with each team scoring 20 goals in six games. Albany RW Aleksander Suglobov leads with eight (5-3) points against Binghamton, while C's Jason Spezza (3-4) and Antoine Vermette (1-6) each have seven points in the series. The teams meet another three times on February 25th in Albany, March 5th at Binghamton and finally on March 12th at Pepsi Arena.

River Rats this week: * Practice times are subject to change, please call the River Rats office to confirm dates and times.

Tuesday, February 8th - Practice at Bethlehem Area YMCA, 10:00am

Wednesday, February 9th - Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Springfield Falcons @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Thursday, February 10th - Practice at Bethlehem Area YMCA, 10:00am

Friday, February 11th - Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Portland Pirates @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Saturday, February 12th - Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Binghamton Senators @ RIVER RATS, 4:00pm

Sunday, February 13th - AHL All Star Super Skills Competition, 7:00pm

Monday, February 14th - 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, 7:00pm (ESPN2)

Rat Bites: * G Ari Ahonen set a career-high with 53 saves in Saturday night's 3-2 road win against Worcester. The 24-year-old has won three consecutive games and sports a 1.66 goals against average with a .961 save percentage over that span.

* C Pascal Rheaume became the eighth player in team history to skate in 300 games against Worcester on Saturday night. He leads the River Rats with 15 goals this season and shows 278 points (124-154) in 366 career AHL games.

* LW Ahren Nittel posted four (2-2) points over the weekend, including a career-high tying three-point effort on Saturday. He has nine goals, including a team-high six on the power play in just 22 games this season.

Over the Air:

Wed., February 9th vs. Springfield Falcons, 7:00pm (6:45pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Fri., February 11th vs. Portland Pirates, 7:00pm (6:45pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Sat., February 12th vs. Binghamton Senators, 4:00pm (3:45pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

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

Community Outreach Appearances:

Tues., February 8th @ 4:30pm - LW Brett Clouthier will assist a Special Olympics New York Volleyball Clinic at the Capital District Psychiatric Center, which is located at 75 New Scotland Avenue in Albany.

Sat., February 12th - "Rowdy" the Rat will spend time at Greenville Elementary School for their Annual Family Fun Day. Rowdy will be signing autographs and cheering on families that participate in the family activities throughout the day. Greenville Elementary School is located at 4976 Route 81 in Greenville, NY.

River Rats Rewind: Week 17 - January 31, 2005 (1-1-0-0, 2pts)

February 4th - ALB 1 @ ROC 4 - LW Ahren Nittel scored the lone Albany goal as the club remained winless against Rochester during the 2004-05 campaign (0-4-0-0). D Bobby Allen and LW Dean McAmmond picked up the assists on the power play goal, while G Scott Clemmensen stopped 36 shots in taking the loss.

February 5th - ALB 3 @ WOR 2 - LW Ahren Nittel matched a career-high with three (1-2) points as the River Rats defeated Worcester for the second time this season. C Ivan Khomutov posted his first multi-point game with a goal and an assist and G Ari Ahonen set a career-high by stopping 53 shots for his third consecutive victory.

Upcoming Promotions:

Wed., February 9th vs. Springfield Falcons @ 7:00pm - $10 Wednesday!

All Seats are Just $10!

Fri., February 11th vs. Portland Pirates @ 7:00pm - AHA Go Red For Women Night! American Heart Association ‘Go Red For Women Night'

Fans Wearing Red to the Game Get $4 off an Adult Ticket or $3 off a Children's Ticket!

Sat., February 12th vs. Binghamton Senators @ 4:00pm - Meet Dora The Explorer!

Meet Nickelodeon's Dora The Explorer at the game!

Register for your chance to win a trip for four to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!

Win your Valentine a beautiful diamond from Hannoush Jewelers!

Come See the Zambonis Perform Live at the Game!

Stay for the Post-Game Autograph Session w/the Players!

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American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2005


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