River Rats hit the road for three in four

Published on March 20, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The River Rats begin a three-game road trip against the Binghamton Senators at Broome County Arena on Wednesday night at 7:05pm (6:50pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Senators (29-31-4-4, 5th East) are coming off a 5-4 shootout loss to the Hershey Bears on the road last night. LW Denis Hamel stands second in the league with 46 goals and ranks seventh overall with 77 points for the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. The River Rats have a 9-18-3-2 record in the all-time series against the Senators, which includes a 3-9-2-1 record on the road. Albany and Binghamton have split the first four games of the season series and will meet for the final time in the last game of the regular season on April 16th.

The River Rats then travel to the City of Brotherly Love for a 7:05pm face-off against the Philadelphia Phantoms on Friday. (6:50pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Phantoms (27-33-1-7, 6th East) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Norfolk Admirals at home last night for their second straight loss. Former R.P.I. Engineer C Marc Cavosie has five goals in the last five games for the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, including a hat trick against Wilkes-Barre on Friday. The River Rats have a 15-19-4-5 record in the all-time regular season series against the Phantoms, which includes a 5-12-2-2 road record. Albany is 1-3-1-0 versus Philadelphia this season, having been outscored 17-9 in the first five games.

Albany closes the road trip Saturday night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:05pm (6:50pm WABY AM 1160 & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Penguins (43-16-4-4, 1st East) dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Philadelphia on Friday and host Portland Wednesday before Hershey visits on Friday. C's Erik Christensen and Matt Hussey both lead the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins with 42 points during the 2005-06 campaign. The River Rats have a 12-20-5-0 record in the all-time regular season series against the Penguins, including a 4-12-2-0 road record. Albany shows a 0-3-0-0 mark against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, being outscored 10-3 in the process.

River Rats Practice Schedule: * The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff

Tues., March 21, 2006 - 3:00pm practice @ Pepsi Arena

Wed., March 22, 2006 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; RIVER RATS @ Binghamton Senators, 7:05pm

Thurs., March 23, 2006 - Practice TBD @ Wachovia Spectrum

Fri., March 24, 2006 - 11:15am Game Day Skate @ Wachovia Spectrum; RIVER RATS @ Philadelphia Phantoms, 7:05pm

Sat., March 25, 2006 - 11:15 Game Day Skate @ Wilkes-Barre; RIVER RATS @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 7:05pm

Sun., March 26, 2006 - OFF DAY

Mon., March 27, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ TBD

Story Ideas

Ari Ahonen - The former first round selection played well in his return to the lineup on Saturday in Hershey. He is only 25 years old with four years of pro experience and a solid conclusion to the regular season could be the turning point going forward.

Eric Lundberg - The unheralded defenseman has become a regular after joining the club in January. His steady play earned a new contract and his stay-at-home style has been a major plus for a club in need.

Rat Bites:

* LW Ahren Nittel had his three-game assist streak snapped on Sunday and shows 22 (11-11) points in 34 games during the 2005-06 season.

* D Bobby Allen notched points in consecutive games over the weekend and is the only River Rat regular with a plus rating after skating in more than 20 match-ups this season.

* G Ari Ahonen stopped 36 of 38 shots on goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Hershey in his first game between the pipes since December 10th. He is now just 16 saves away from becoming the first goaltender in franchise history to make 5,000 saves.

* G Frank Doyle leads the AHL with 1,541 saves and is now just 17 stops shy of surpassing G Peter Sidorkiewicz's team record of 1,557 saves.

River Rats Rewind: Week 24 - March 13, 2006 (0-2-1-0, 1pt)

March 17 - ALB 1 @ SYR 2 F/OT - D Bobby Allen's fourth goal at the 15:33 mark of the third period helped Albany earn a point in the final meeting with Syracuse this year. LW Ahren Nittel and RW Aaron Voros picked up the assists on the goal, while G Frank Doyle stopped 27 shots in taking the loss.

March 18 - ALB 1 @ HER 2 - C Chris Minard broke up the Hershey shutout bid by scoring his seventh goal of the season with 47 seconds remaining in regulation. LW Ahren Nittel recorded an assist for the third straight game and D Bobby Allen added a point for the second straight night. G Ari Ahonen stopped 36 shots after missing 39 games with an injury.

March 19 - SPR 7 @ ALB 1 - C Petr Vrana scored his 12th goal of the season early in the second period to tie the game at one, but Springfield would go on to score six unanswered goals for the win. D Dan McGillis and RW Alexander Mogilny picked up the assists and G Frank Doyle stopped 21 shots on goal in the club's most lopsided loss of the season.

Upcoming Promotions:

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Kids In Free Wednesdays!

All Children 12 and Under Get In FREE With A Paid Adult!

Kids Club "Mouse Trap" Concession Stan with Discount Prices!

Enter To Win a River Rat V.I.P. Experience including:

Ice Level Seats, An Autographed Stick and Dinner At 677Prime!

Friday, March 31, 2006 @ 7:00pm -Family Fun Friday!

Radio Disney Fun Zone with Games, Music & Prizes!

4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas & A Family Portrait All for $44!

Saturday, April 1, 2006 @ 5:00pm - Showstopper Saturday!

Pre-Game Fireworks!

Wedekind Pontiac Shootout!

For further information on 2005-06 season and flex ticket packages contact (518) 487-2244

or visit www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2006


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