River Rats Open Preseason With 5-3 Win

Published on October 1, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - Jakub Petruzalek recorded a four-point game, while Yannick Tifu and Nicolas Blanchard each scored two goals to lead the Albany River Rats to a 5-3 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in preseason action Wednesday night at the Times Union Center.

Albany came out strong in the first period, out-shooting Bridgeport 9-0 over the first eight minutes of the game. However, one shot was all the Sound Tigers needed to take a 1-0 lead. River Rats goaltender David Leggio was helpless as Mike Walsh found an unmarked James Sixsmith at the far-post for an easy put away at 8:29. The visitors doubled their lead at 12:48 on a Jon Gleed goal, assisted by Andy Sertich and Jason. Pitton. Bridgeport goaltender Nathan Lawson helped the Tigers carry their two-goal lead into the first intermission by turning away an onslaught of shots late in the period during a River Rats power play. Over the first twenty minutes Albany out-shot the Sound Tigers 18-6, yet found themselves trailing by two goals.

The second period found the Rats killing several penalties, including a five-on-three situation within the first five minutes of the frame, but Albany survived them all with some stout defending. The River Rats wasted little time on their next power play opportunity as Matt Murley setup Nicolas Blanchard at the top of the crease who for a quick snap-shot that buzzed past the goaltender and into the top shelf of the net at 9:54, just seven seconds into the power play. At the other end of the ice Leggio helped to maintain Albany's momentum by stopping a Robert Hennigar penalty shot at 11:41. The River Rats struck again at the 12:28 mark as Jakub Petruzalek threaded a perfect cross-ice pass to Yannick Tifu on the back door for an open net power play goal and a 2-2 tie. With just 66 seconds remaining in the second period Tifu again connected with Petruzalek for his second goal of the night, giving Albany its first lead of the game; defenseman Jonathan Paiement was given the second assist, his second helper of the period.

The River Rats carried their momentum into the third period and took just 1:34 to find the net and double their lead. Skating four-on-four, Petruzalek beat a Bridgeport defender to a loose puck at the Sound Tigers blue-line, raced in on goal and sent a wrist shot the glove of backup goaltender Mike Mole. Albany extended their lead to 5-2 on Blanchard power play goal, his second of the night, as he deflected a centering pass from Petruzalek into the net at 12:29; it was the River Rats' fifth consecutive goal. Bridgeport cut the lead to two on a Jason Pitton goal at 14:45, scored on backup goalie Ryan Munce, but it was too little too late as the River Rats went on to claim a 5-3 win. Wednesday's preseason game was the first-ever official AHL exhibition game to be played at the Times Union Center.

Albany starting goaltender David Leggio played the first two periods of action, stopping 15-of-17 shots faced and earning a no-decision. Backup goalie Ryan Munce played the entire third period and recorded the victory, while making 7 saves on 8 shots for the River Rats. Bridgeport starter Nathan Lawson stopped all 24 shots he faced over the first 29:47 of action, but did not factor in the decision. Backup Mike Mole replaced Lawson for the final 30:13 of play, allowing five goals on 20 shots and was tagged with the loss. The River Rats out-shot the Sound Tigers 44-25 in the game and finished 3-for-12 on the power play, while Bridgeport went 1-for-10 with the man-advantage.

The River Rats will open up the 2008-09 regular season schedule at home on Saturday, October 11th against Bridgeport with a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center. River Rats season ticket packages and individual game tickets are on sale now for Albany's 16th season of operations in the American Hockey League and their third year as the primary affiliate of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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