River Rats Ring In The New Year With 2-1 Win

Published on December 31, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


BINGHAMTON, NY - Pat Dwyer scored the game-winning power play goal late in the second period and Daniel Manzato made 29 saves as the Albany River Rats spoiled the the Binghamton Senators New Year's Eve celebrations with a 2-1 win Wednesday night at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

After a feeling-out process between the teams in the opening minutes, it was Binghamton who created better scoring chances in the first half of the period. River Rats goaltender Daniel Manzato had to be very sharp to deny former Albany forward Marc Cavosie on two separate occasions and then sprawl to make a fine save on rookie Zach Smith's second effort. Later in the frame Albany defenseman Josef Melichar was high-sticked by Binghamton's Peter Regin, giving the River Rats a four-minute power play. During the first half of the double-minor Senators goaltender Brian Elliott made quite possibly the best save of the 2008-09 AHL season to deny Michael Ryan from point-blank range. A deflected shot from the blue line fell right to Ryan's stick and the Rats unmarked left wing faked a shot, pulled the puck to his left and took a wrist shot that he though was headed into the back of the net. But Elliott somehow scrambled to get a piece of the shot and tip it up in the air, then as it was still falling toward the goal, Elliott batted his own save out of mid air with his stick to complete a simply outrageous save. Seconds later Binghamton's bench made a crucial mistake, taking a too-many men on the ice penalty and giving the Rats a one minute five-on-three power play. Albany needed just nine seconds to capitalize as Nicolas Blanchard tipped Michael Ryan's slap shot passed Elliott at 18:40, assisted by Ryan and Bryan Rodney, giving the Rats a 1-0 lead.

The River Rats completely dominated the second period of play out-shooting the Senators 19-3 and spending a majority of the period in their offensive zone. Only the stellar goaltending of Elliott kept Albany from running away with the game as he produced great save after great save; he also earned a couple standing ovations from the Binghamton crowd. In the final minute of the period the River Rats persistence paid of when Yannick Tifu snapped a perfect cross-crease pass to a wide-open Pat Dwyer on the back post. Dwyer had to settle the puck and then roofed it up under the crossbar for his seventh goal of the year at 19:25; Rodney got the second assist for a two-point night.

Binghamton got on the board and back into the game with an early power play goal in the third period. Ryan Shannon made a great pass to Danny Bois in the slot and his one-timer found the net at 4:18, bringing the Senators crowd back to life. The B-Sens pressured for the tying goal and came close on several occasions, including one wrap-around shot that rang off the post. But Manzato and the River Rats defended bravely and clung to their lead as the Senators out-shot Albany 16-6 in the final frame. Binghamton pulled Elliot for the extra attacked with 90 seconds left, but the Rats held them off and closed 2008 with a huge 2-1 road victory.

Rookie goaltender Daniel Manzato turned in another fine performance as he stopped 29-of-30 shots to record his seventh win of the season and helping Albany improve to 12-17-3-2 on the year. Binghamton goaltender Brian Elliott was nothing short of spectacular in goal, making 35 saves on 37 shots, but took the loss as the Senators fell to 18-11-3-3. Albany out-shot Binghamton 37-30 and both teams finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play.

The River Rats will return home on Friday, January 2nd as they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for an important East Division match up at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2008


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