River Rats Erase Two-Goal Deficit To Win Fifth Straight

Published on February 29, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Albany River Rats overcame a 2-0 second period deficit to beat the Springfield Falcons 4-3 Friday night at the MassMutual Center.

Playing in their first ever February 29th "leap year" game in the franchise's fifteen-year history, the River Rats were looking to get off to a good start on the road. But Albany ran into trouble as Springfield took advantage of their two power play opportunities in the first period. Viacheslav Trukhno opened the scoring when he received a quick back-door pass from Rob Schremp and one-timed the puck past starter Justin Peters at 4:35. The Falcons doubled their total with another power play goal at 12:23 as Schremp zipped a pass from behind the net to Grant Potulny in the low slot and Potulny blasted the pass into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Springfield had several chances to extend their lead early in the second period, including two shorthanded breakaways, one shot off the post and a penalty shot at 6:28, but they could not cash in on their opportunities. Albany found their spark near the halfway mark of the period when newcomer Kiel McLeod, playing in his River Rats debut, scored his first AHL goal in two years as he snapped a wrist shot past goaltender Devin Dubnyk at 9:52, assisted by Marc Cavosie and Jakub Petruzalek. Albany poured on the pressure and scored the equalizer at 13:10 when Jeff Hamilton fired a perfect pass from the right corner to a wide open Jamie Johnson in the slot and the River Rats captain blazed his shot into the top corner of the net, his 16th goal of the season. Less than a minute later Albany had the lead when Cavosie scored his first River Rats goal at 14:02, collecting a pass from Petruzalek and roofing his shot over Dubnyk for a 3-2 lead.

The Falcons fortunes turned early in the third period when Rats forward Joe Jensen was given a five-minute major penalty for high sticking at 1:18. Albany defended bravely, but Springfield cashed in with their third power play goal of the night at 4:32 when Stephane Goulet found the net for a 3-3 score. After the goal 1:46 still remained on the major power play and things looked against the River Rats until Pat Dwyer came up with a brilliant individual play. Dwyer took a clearing pass from Jerome Samson, raced into the offensive zone, split two defenders, almost lost possession, kicked the puck off his skate and scored a shorthanded goal at 6:09, his tenth goal and second shorthanded goal of the year to regain a 4-3 lead. Springfield tried to come back, but Albany shut the door for key road victory.

Justin Peters stopped 28-of-31 shots, did not allow an even strength goal and won his fifth game of the season as the River Rats improved to 33-24-1-3 on the season. Devin Dubnyk made 35 saves on 39 shots and took the loss in goal for Springfield, who fell to 26-24-5-5. Albany finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Falcons were 3-for-4 on the man-advantage.

The River Rats return home for two games this weekend at the Times Union Center. Saturday night at 7:00 pm the Worcester Sharks are in town and Albany will face the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday at 5:00 pm.

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 February 29, 2008


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