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River Rats Ready to Roll on the Road

November 3, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


What's Ahead:

The Albany River Rats kick off a four-game road trip against the Lowell Lock Monsters this Saturday night at 7:00pm. The Lock Monsters (4-3-1-0, 6th Atlantic) are winless in their last four games (0-3-1) after dropping a 5-3 decision to the Manchester Monarchs on the road Saturday night. The top prospects of the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames visit the Providence Bruins on Friday night before hosting the River Rats for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign on Saturday. C Jason Morgan tops the charts with seven (2-5-7) points, followed closely by RW's Matt Davidson (2-4-6) and Robert Dome (3-3-6). The River Rats hold a 3-3-2 record in the all-time regular season series against the Lock Monsters, including a 1-2-1 mark on the road. Albany went 0-2-2 during the 2001-02 season series against Lowell, while being outscored 13-11 in the four games. RW Jiri Bicek is the club's all-time leading scorer with six (3-3-6) points against the Lock Monsters.

The River Rats then make their first and only visit to the Verizon Wireless Arena to face-off against the Manchester Monarchs on Sunday afternoon at 4:05pm. The Monarchs (5-5-0-0, T-2ND Atlantic) shutout the Norfolk Admirals 5-0 at home last night for their third consecutive victory. The top affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings will visit Worcester on Friday and host Portland on Saturday prior to Sunday's matinee. A pair of former River Rats are leading the way for Manchester beginning with D Bryan Muir, who tops the Monarchs and all AHL defensemen with five goals and 12 points. C Steve Kelly, the other ex-River Rat on the team, stands second with eight assists and 11 points in only seven games played. The River Rats are 2-1-1-2 in the all-time regular season series against the Monarchs, including a 0-1-1-1 mark on enemy ice. Albany posted a 1-1-0-2 mark, including a 0-1-0-1 road record, against Manchester last year while being outscored 17-13 in four games. Rat Bites:

* C Craig Darby has assists (four) in an AHL-high four straight road games and leads the club with 10 (3-7-10) points in nine games during the 2003-04 season.

* LW Maxim Balmochnykh, RW Jiri Bicek & C Adrian Foster have each scored a goal and an assist over the last two games.

* LW Rob Skrlac skated in his 300th professional contest on Wednesday against Hartford. He needs only 29 PIM for 1,000 in his AHL career.

* The Albany River Rats scored four power play goals last week and currently rank sixth on home ice with 21.4% rating. Over the Air:
Sat., Nov. 8th @ Lowell Lock Monsters, 7:00pm (6:45pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, Moon Radio AM 1160 WABY)
Sun., Nov. 9th @ Manchester Monarchs, 4:05pm (3:50pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, Moon Radio AM 1160 WABY)
** Hear all the action LIVE at www.albanyriverrats.com** Community Calendar:

Wed., November 5th @ 9:30am – "Rowdy" The Rat will visit the daycare and kindergarten classrooms at Holy Spirit School located at 54 Highland Drive in East Greenbush for the "Reading with Rowdy" program.

Thurs., November 6th @ 1:30pm – "Rowdy" The Rat will be at the Ballston Community Library, located at Lakehill and Lawmar Lane in Burnt Hills for the "Reading with Rowdy" program.

Thurs., November 6th @ 6:30pm – "Rowdy" The Rat will be at the Waterford Public Library, located at 117 Third Street in Waterford the for the "Reading with Rowdy" program.

Sat., November 8th @ 1pm – "Rowdy" The Rat will be at the Junior Museum in Troy, located at 105 Eighth Street for "Ice is Cool" Day. River Rats Rewind: Week 4 - October 27, 2003 (1-1-1, 3pts)

October 29th – HAR 1 @ ALB 0 – The River Rats were shutout for the first time this season while G Scott Clemmensen stopped 45 of 46 shots in a losing cause. LW Ryan Murphy made his Albany debut and LW Rob Skrlac skated in his 300th professional game. The only goal occurred when former Adirondack Red Wing RW Jason MacDonald scored at 18:19 of the third period.

October 31st – WBS 4 @ ALB 4 – RW Jiri Bicek, D Raymond Giroux & LW Steve Kariya each scored power play goals as the River Rats earned their first point on home ice. D Krisjanis Redlihs notched a goal and an assist while C Craig Darby added two assists in front of G Scott Clemmensen, who stopped 25 shots on the night.

November 1st – PHI 3 @ ALB 4 – C Adrian Foster scored his first goal of the season with 2:23 left in regulation to ensure a 4-3 win over Philadelphia at Pepsi Arena. LW Maxim Balmochnykh posted his first goal and LW Steve Kariya added two assists as the club won for the first time on home ice. C Craig Darby & LW Greg Crozier scored the other goals for the River Rats, who extended their unbeaten streak to two (1-0-1) games. Upcoming Promotions:

Wed., November 19th vs. Hershey Bears @ 7:00pm – Best Deal in Town!

Former captain Steve Brule returns to Pepsi Arena! ALL TICKETS ARE JUST $10! Sat., November 22nd vs. Binghamton Senators @ 7:00pm – Team Picture Night & Post-Game Autograph Session!

ALL fans attending the game will receive a FREE team picture! Stay after the game for pictures & autographs with all your favorite players right on the ice!

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