River Rats face an array of characters

Published on March 7, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats make their only visit to Copps Coliseum to take on the Hamilton Bulldogs on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. The Bulldogs (26-24-6-5, 5th North) defeated the Edmonton Roadrunners 4-3 at home last night for their second straight victory. C Tomas Plekanec leads the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens in goals (22), assists (26), points (48), power play goals (nine) and game-winning goals (five) during the 2004-05 campaign. Albany holds a 19-21-4-3 record in the all-time regular season series against Hamilton, including an 11-9-2-1 record away from home. The River Rats defeated the Bulldogs 6-3 at Pepsi Arena back on February 19th in the only previous meeting between the two clubs.

Albany host the Worcester IceCats for the last time ever at Pepsi Arena on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Fans in attendance will be entertained by the first-ever Battle of the Mascots! The IceCats (32-23-4-2, 4th Atlantic) are winless in the last two games following a 2-1 overtime loss to the Portland Pirates on the road yesterday. Rookie D Dennis Wideman ranks second on the club and is tied for ninth among AHL defenders with 34 (11-23) points for the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Albany holds a 16-15-5-2 record in the all-time season series against Worcester, including a 10-6-2-1 home mark. The River Rats are 2-0 against the IceCats this season and hold a 7-5 scoring advantage in the two games. The teams meet for the final time ever on April 3rd at Worcester's DCU Center.

The River Rats host Binghamton Senators in the 10th and final meeting between the two clubs on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Total Events, LLC presents "The Carnival" with games and prizes on the concourse! Radio Disney joins the party and the first 2,500 kids get a free t-shirt courtesy of Community Care Physicians! The Senators (33-19-5-4, T-1st East) have won two straight after defeating Albany 5-3 on Friday. C Jason Spezza picked up four assists in Friday's win, giving him a team-record 60 helpers and a league-leading 85 points in 61 games for the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. Albany shows a 7-15-3-2 record in the all-time regular season series against Binghamton, including a 4-7-1-1 record at Pepsi Arena. The River Rats are 4-5-0-0 against the Senators this season, but have been outscored 37-25 in the previous nine games. Albany RW Aleksander Suglobov leads the way with nine (6-3) points versus Binghamton, while Spezza (4-9) tops the Senators with 13 points against the River Rats.

Albany will close the busy week with a 4:05 p.m. matinee against the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins (30-23-3-6, T-4th Atlantic) dropped a 4-2 road decision to the Manchester Monarchs for their second straight loss last night. LW Andy Hilbert leads the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins and ranks fourth on the circuit with 65 (30-35) points this season. Albany has a 23-15-6-3 record in the all-time series against Providence, which includes an 11-9-3 record on the road. The River Rats have a 2-0-0-1 record against Providence this season with a 13-7 scoring advantage in three games. Albany RW Aleksander Suglobov leads with seven (3-4) points in three games and Hilbert leads the Baby B's with four (2-2) points in three match-ups.

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

Tuesday, March 8th - Practice at Bethlehem Area YMCA, 10:00am; Travel to Hamilton

Wednesday, March 9th - Game Day Skate at Copps Coliseum, 11:15 a.m.; RIVER RATS @ Hamilton Bulldogs, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 10th - TBD

Friday, March 11th - Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Worcester IceCats @ RIVER RATS, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 12th - Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Binghamton Senators @ RIVER RATS, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 13th - RIVER RATS @ Providence Bruins, 4:05 p.m.

Rat Bites: * LW Dean McAmmond recorded four (1-3) points in three games last week and tops the club with 52 (16-36) points in 59 games during the 2004-05 campaign.

* RW Aleksander Suglobov, who scored three goals last week, shows eight (5-3) points in the last nine games and ranks second on the team with 19 goals this year.

* LW Ahren Nittel scored two power play goals in Saturday's 5-3 road win over Syracuse, giving him seven goals in the last seven games. He is tied for third on the team with 16 goals, while topping the River Rats with 12 power play markers.

Over the Air:

Wed., March 9th @ Hamilton Bulldogs, 7:00 p.m. (6:45 p.m. Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Fri., March 11th vs. Worcester IceCats, 7:00 p.m. (6:45 p.m. Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Sat., March 12th vs. Binghamton Senators, 7:30 p.m. (7:15 p.m. Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Sun., March 13th @ Providence, 4:05 p.m. (3:50 p.m. Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

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

-More-

Community Outreach Appearances:

Mon., March 7th @ 2:00 p.m. - LW Ryan Murphy & D Bobby Allen attended the VA Medical Center to sign autographs and spend time with individuals residing in the hospital. The VA Medical Center is located at 113 Holland Avenue in Albany.

Wed., March 9th @ 3:00 p.m. - "Rowdy" The Rat, & Kid Quest, along with the Treasures Dance team will be at the Yankee Trails World Travel Expo. The event is located at Guptills Arena off of Route 9 in Latham.

Wed., March 9th @ 4:00 p.m. - "Rowdy" The Rat will spend time reading to youngsters at the New Day Art facility in Albany as a part of the "Reading with Rowdy" program. The New Day Art is located at 72nd and 2nd Avenue in Albany.

Thursday March 10th @ 2pm - C Pascal Rheaume & LW Dean McAmmond will visit Pinebush Elementary School to talk to students about the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles, and to will participate in a game of floor hockey with students. Pinebush Elementary is located at 4337 Carmen Road, Schenectady.

Sat., March 12th @ 10:00 a.m. - "Rowdy" The Rat will pay a visit to the Wolf Road Hannaford Supermarkets location to sign autographs and mingle with fans at the Albany River Rats table. Hannaford is located at 96 Wolf Road, Albany.

Sat., March 12th @ 12:30 p.m. - "Rowdy" The Rat will visit the East Greenbush Hannaford Supermarkets location to spend time at the Albany River Rats table and to sign autographs for fans. That Hannaford is located off of RR9 in East Greenbush.

River Rats Rewind: Week 21 - February 22, 2005 (1-2-0-0, 2pts)

March 2nd - LOW 4 @ ALB 1 - LW Dean McAmmond scored the lone goal and G Scott Clemmensen stopped 31 shots as the River Rats opened March at Pepsi Arena. Lowell RW Chuck Kobasew scored twice and G Cam Ward stopped 22 of 23 shots as the Lock Monsters improved to 2-0 against Albany this season.

March 4th - ALB 5 @ SYR 3 - C Zach Parise notched two (1-1) points, including the game-winning shorthanded goal and G Scott Clemmensen stopped 37 shots on goal for his 10th win of the season. LW Ahren Nittel (2PP) and RW Aleksander Suglobov each scored twice in a game that saw Albany go 3-for-8 on the power play.

March 5th - ALB 2 @ BNG 5 - RW Aleksander Suglobov scored for the second straight game and G Ari Ahonen stopped 42 shots as the River Rats fell to 4-5-0-0 against Binghamton this season. LW's Dean McAmmond (assist) and Tuomas Pihlman (goal) each extended their scoring streaks to three games in a match-up that featured five ejections.

Upcoming Promotions:

Sat., March 12th vs. Binghamton Senators @ 7:30 p.m. - The Carnival!

Doors will open 30 minutes early at 6:00 p.m.!

Total Events, LLC & The River Rats present a TRUE Carnival Atmosphere!

Concourse Activities to Include:

Tin Can Alley, Pig Races, Dart Balloon Toss, Milk Bottle Toss, Hole-In-One Golf & More!

The First 2,500 Kids receive a FREE Community Care Physicians T-Shirt!

Radio Disney at the game with Magical fun & prizes!

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American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2005


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