River Rats face a monster weekend

October 17, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats face-off against the unbeaten Lowell Lock Monsters in a pair of games this weekend beginning with a road contest at Paul E. Tsongas Arena at 7:35pm on Friday night (7:20pm, WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM, www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Atlantic Division rivals then clash on Saturday evening in a 5:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena (4:50pm, WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM, www.albanyriverrats.com ).

The team will get a visit from the Amazing Spider-Man at the game along with the first Post-Game Autograph Session of the 2005-06 season. The Lock Monsters (2-0-0-0, T-2nd Atlantic) recorded a 3-2 road victory over the Hartford Wolf*Pack on Saturday and are off until their meetings with the River Rats this weekend. C Ryan Steeves tops the club with two goals and D Johnny Boychuck tops team defenders with two assists in two games this season. The Lock Monsters serve as the top affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and also house prospects for the Colorado Avalanche under a new agreement this season. The River Rats hold a 6-8-2-0 all-time record versus Lowell, after putting together a 0-4 mark during the 2004-05 season series. The two teams meet another six times this year with games in Lowell on November 16, February 4 and March 5, while the club's battle at Pepsi Arena on January 25, February 18 and March 11.

River Rats Practice Schedule:

Tues., October 18, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena

Wed., October 19, 2005 - OFF DAY

Thurs., October 20, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena; Travel to Lowell, Massachusetts

Fri., October 21, 2005 - 11:15am Game Day Skate @ Paul E. Tsongas Arena; RIVER RATS @ Lowell Lock Monsters, 7:35pm

Sat., October 22, 2005 - TBD Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena, Lowell Lock Monsters @ RIVER RATS, 5:00pm

Sun., October 23, 2005 - OFF DAY

Mon., October 24, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena

The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff

Story Ideas David Clarkson - The sparkplug winger had points in his first two professional games for Albany. He was signed by New Jersey as a free agent over the summer following a successful junior career that included a Memorial Cup with the Kitchener Rangers. Ari Ahonen - The fifth-year netminder has been the team's biggest asset over the season's first two weeks. He battled to the end of training camp for the back-up position behind Martin Brodeur and has brought that strong play to a likely starring role in Albany. Rat Bites:

* The River Rats rank second in the American Hockey League on the penalty kill, having stopped the opposition on 37 out of 40 (92.5%) power play chances this season. * D Bryan Miller opened the season with assists in three straight games, tying him for the team lead with three points through four games.

* LW Tuomas Pihlman scored the game-winning goal on the power play in his first game of the season on Saturday.

* RW Cam Janssen has two (1-1) points in four games this season, after putting up four (1-3) points in 70 games during his rookie 2004-05 campaign.

* G Ari Ahonen is just one win shy of becoming the fourth netminder in team history to earn 50 victories.

River Rats Rewind:

Week 2 - October 10, 2005 (1-1-0-0, 2pts) October 15 - PHI 2 @ ALB 3 - RW David Clarkson scored his first AHL goal and LW Tuomas Pihlman tallied the game-winner in the third period of the club's home opener victory over the defending Calder Cup champion Phantoms. RW Barry Tallackson scored his second goal of the season and G Ari Ahonen stopped 24 shots on the night to first star honors. October 16 - ALB 2 @ POR 4 - LW Ryan Murphy scored his first goal of the season and D Bobby Allen added a power play marker in Albany's first Divisional match-up of the season. RW Cam Janssen added an assist, while LW's Ahren Nittel & Ilkka Pikkarainen each recorded a helper for the second straight game.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, October 22, 2005 - Meet the Amazing Spider-Man Live @ 5:00pm! The web-slinger will be on hand for Pictures & Autographs! Join Us For The First Post-Game Autograph Session On The Ice With The Players!



American Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2005


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