River Rats migrate south

December 5, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats visit the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday night at Scope Arena at 7:15pm (7:00pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Admirals (9-11-2-1, 5th East) are coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night. C Martin St. Pierre ranks seventh among AHL rookies with 20 (7-13) points in 20 games for the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, while free agent signee C Nathan Barrett tops the club with eight goals, including six power play markers this season. The River Rats hold a 6-12-2-2 record in the all-time regular season series against Norfolk, including a 3-6-1-2 record on the road. Albany and Norfolk split the first two games of the season series in late October, with the Admirals holding a 5-4 scoring advantage.

The River Rats then travel to the City of Brotherly Love for a contest with the Philadelphia Phantoms at 7:05pm on Friday. (6:50pm WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Phantoms (11-13-0-2, 3rd East) dropped a 4-2 decision to the Syracuse Crunch at the Wachovia Spectrum last night for their second straight loss and host the Manitoba Moose on Friday. RW Pat Kavanagh leads the team with 11 goals and 19 points and is one of six players to skate with the parent Philadelphia Flyers. D John Slaney is tied for tops on the roster with 10 assists and leads all blueliners with 13 points during the 2005-06 season. The River Rats hold a 15-18-4-4 record in the regular season series against Philadelphia, including a 5-11-2-2 road mark. Albany holds a 1-2 record against the Phantoms this season, being outscored 8-6 in three previous match-ups.

Albany returns home on Saturday night to take on the Providence Bruins in a 7:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena. (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). This week Is Fly-Away Saturday featuring Round Trip tickets to anywhere Independence Air Flies! The Bruins (8-10-1-1, T-6th Atlantic) turned in a 3-0 shutout victory over the Lowell at home yesterday and will take on the Lock Monsters in Providence again on Friday night. Former R.P.I. Engineer LW Eric Healey made his NHL debut earlier this season and leads the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins with eight goals and 22 points in 17 games. G Tim Thomas ranks ninth on the circuit with a 2.35 goals against average in a team-high 12 contests during the 2005-06 season. The River Rats hold a 23-16-6-4 record in the all-time series against Providence, including a 12-6-3-3 record at Pepsi Arena. Albany dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Bruins on November 20TH and Saturday night is the 50TH all-time regular season meeting between the two clubs.

Story Ideas

Barry Tallackson - The rookie sparkled in his return from the first six games of his NHL career over the weekend. He has experienced NCAA titles, life as a rookie in the AHL and his first multi-point game in the show, all over the last two years.

Jason Ryznar - The former Michigan Wolverine has become a mainstay on the penalty-killing unit that has cracked the league's top ten and has picked up the offense with linemate Tallackson back from New Jersey. Rat Bites:

* G Frank Doyle stopped 75 shots in two straight wins last week and ranks 5TH with a .925 save percentage. He shows a 3-0-1 with a 1.47 goals against in the last five games and ranks 12TH in the AHL with a 2.45 goals against average.

* RW Barry Tallackson had a career-high three points on Sunday in Springfield and posted four (2-2-4) points in three games following his reassignment from New Jersey on Thursday.

* The River Rats matched a franchise record with four power play goals in Sunday's 6-2 win at Springfield, while the penalty kill unit has held the opposition off the board in 25 of the last 26 chances.

* LW Jason Ryznar has points (1-2-3) in three straight games and scored his first goal since October 29th on Saturday against Binghamton.

* C Petr Vrana has points (1-2-3) in three consecutive contests and is tied for second on the team with 14 (6-8-14) points during the 2005-06 season.

River Rats Rewind: Week 9 - November 28, 2005 (2-1-0-1, 5pts)

November 29 - MCH 3 @ ALB 2 F/SO - LW Ilkka Pikkarainen extended his point-scoring streak to a team/season-high five games with an assist and G Frank Doyle stopped 29 shots on goal. C Ivan Khomutov and RW Aleksander Suglobov scored the goals in a game that saw Albany skate out to a 2-0 first period lead.

December 2 - POR 2 @ ALB 3 - RW Aaron Voros notched two points, including the game-winning goal late in the second period and G Frank Doyle stopped 43 of 45 shots on goal for the win. RW David Clarkson chipped in a goal and an assist, while RW Barry Tallackson scored in his return from New Jersey.

December 3 - BNG 2 @ ALB 1 - LW Jason Ryznar scored his first goal since October 29th in Norfolk and G Ari Ahonen stopped 42 of 44 shots on goal in his first action since November 23rd. C Petr Vrana picked up the lone assist on the goal as the River Rats fell to 1-1 against the Senators this season.

December 4 - ALB 6 @ SPR 2 - RW Barry Tallackson & D Bobby Allen each posted a goal and two assists, while the River Rats matched a franchise record with four power play goals. G Frank Doyle stopped 32 shots for his second straight win and C Nicklas Bergfors added a goal and an assist in the victory.

Upcoming Promotions:

Saturday, December 10, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Showstopper Saturday Pizza Party!

Pre-Game Fireworks Extravaganza & Wedekind Pontiac Score-O! WIN A PIZZA A WEEK FOR A YEAR FROM PAESAN'S PIZZA!

You Could Win Pizza For a Month & Other Great Paesan's Prizes!

Bring New, Unwrapped Stuffed Animals & Win Prizes at Our Annual TEDDY BEAR TOSS To Benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities!

TEAM PHOTO NIGHT & Post-Game Autograph Session with The Players!

Tuesday, December 27, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Spend the Holidays With Scooby-Doo!

Come Meet Everyone's Favorite Cartoon Character! Pre-Game Fireworks Extravaganza & Wedekind Pontiac Score-O!

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



American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central