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River Rats halfway home on Saturday

January 9, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats host the Providence Bruins in a 7:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena on Wednesday night (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Bruins (19-14-1-1, 4th Atlantic) posted a 4-3 victory over the Binghamton Senators at home on Sunday. Former R.P.I. Engineer Eric Healey leads the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins with 36 (17-19) points and G Tim Thomas ranks third in the league with 15 victories. The River Rats hold a 23-17-6-4 record in the regular season series against Bruins, including a 12-7-3-3 home mark. Albany shows a 0-1-0-1 record against Providence this season, having been outscored 6-4 in the first two of an eight-game season series.

Albany then makes its only visit to Blue Cross Arena to take on the Rochester Americans at 7:35pm on Friday night (7:20pm WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Americans (19-17-1-1, 3rd North) dropped a 4-1 decision to the Toronto Marlies on the road Saturday night. C Chris Thorburn has six (2-4) points over the last five games for the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and tops current Amerks with 14 goals and 30 points in 36 games this season. The River Rats have a 36-36-9-6 record in the all-time regular season series against the Amerks, which includes a 15-24-3-1 record on the road. Albany turned in a 2-0 victory over Rochester in the only previous meeting between the two clubs on November 26th at Pepsi Arena.

The River Rats mark history with the club's 1,000th American Hockey League regular season game against the Manchester Monarchs at Pepsi Arena on Saturday at 7:00pm (6:45pm WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Monarchs (22-10-1-3, 3rd Atlantic) earned a 5-3 home win over Springfield on Sunday and will host Portland on Wednesday and Lowell on Friday. LW Jeff Tambellini is tied for tops among league rookies with 37 (18-19) points for the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. The River Rats have a 2-7-1-3 record in the all-time regular season series against the Monarchs, which includes a 2-2-0-2 home mark. Albany holds a 0-2-0-1 record against Manchester this season following a 4-3 road loss on New Year's Eve.

Story Ideas

Chris Minard - The ECHL goal scoring champ from the 2004-05 season was recalled on Friday and made his River Rats debut. He was once again leading the league with 25 goals and is expected to add offense to the River Rats attack.

Aaron Voros - He has regained confidence and is driving to the net like a true power forward. His on pace to shatter his personal best for goals scored and has found a home playing with RW David Clarkson and C Petr Vrana. Rat Bites:

* C Ivan Khomutov picked up three points last week, setting a new career-high of 19 (6-13) points. He accumulated 17 (6-11) points in 66 games last season.

* RW David Clarkson has four assists in the last five games and ranks second on the club with 20 (6-14) points. He stands seventh in the AHL with 158 PIM's.

* RW Aaron Voros matched a team-high by scoring in his third straight game on Friday and is tied for second on the club with eight goals during the 2005-06 campaign.

* G Frank Doyle leads the AHL with 833 saves and ranks third with 1,580 minutes played in a league-high 27 games this season. * D Dan McGillis scored his first goal as a River Rat on Friday night, the first of his AHL career after skating in 634 NHL games.

River Rats Rewind: Week 14 - January 2, 2006 (1-1-0-0, 2pts)

January 4 - SPR1 @ ALB 4 - RW Aleksander Suglobov notched three points in the third period and C Ivan Khomutov added two points, including the game-winner 4:14 into the third period. RW's Barry Tallackson and Aaron Voros added the other Albany goals, while G Frank Doyle stopped 22 of 23 shots for his ninth victory of the season.

January 6 - SYR 4 @ ALB 2 - RW Aaron Voros scored for the third straight game and D Dan McGillis scored his first goal in an Albany uniform. D Alex Brooks, C Ivan Khomutov and RW Aleksander Suglobov each posted an assist for the second consecutive contest, while G Frank Doyle stopped 28 shots on goal.

Upcoming Promotions:

Wednesday, January 11, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Kids In Free Wednesday! All Children 12 & Under Get In FREE With A Paid Adult!

Saturday, January 14, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Win $1,000 At Our 1,000th Game! Celebrate a Major Milestone In River Rats History Win Cold Hard Cash including the $1,000 Grand Prize!

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Kids In Free Wednesday! All Children 12 & Under Get In FREE With A Paid Adult!

Friday, January 20, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Radio Disney's Family Fun Friday! Radio Disney Fun Zone with Games, Music and Prizes! Get 4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas & a Family Portrait for Just $44!

Saturday, January 21, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Kids Night! Hannaford Supermarkets Kids Club Post-Game Skate with the Players!

For further information on 2005-06 season and flex ticket packages contact (518) 487-2244 or visit www.albanyriverrats.com.

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