River Rats Set for Game in Devils Den

January 19, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats will host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a special American Hockey League Event at Continental Airlines Arena on Thursday night at 7:00pm The East Division rivals then square off at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard on Saturday night at 7:05pm. The River Rats renew hostilities with the Binghamton Senators at Pepsi Arena in a 7:00pm face-off on Friday night.

Rat Bites:

LW Steve Kariya notched both his 150th pro assist and 250th penalty minute Friday night in Binghamton. He is now just one point shy of 250 (98-151-249) since turning professional prior to the 1999-2000 campaign.

C Craig Darby totaled five (3-2-5) points in four games last week and stands just two points shy of becoming the newest member of the AHL's 500 point club.

RW Jiri Bicek skated in his 395th River Rats contest on Wednesday night to move past Steve Brule for second on the all-time list. He is poised to surpass Assistant coach Geordie Kinnear's mark of 406 match-ups during the 2003-04 season.

Albany Captain Mike Matteucci played in his 550th professional contest on Saturday against Hamilton.

River Rats Roster Moves

D Phil Cole recalled to Albany on January 16, 2004...G Matus Kostur reassigned to Columbus on January 15, 2004...D Sean Brown recalled by New Jersey on January 15, 2004...G Ari Ahonen returned on loan to Albany on January 12, 2004.

Over the Air:

** Hear all the action LIVE at www.albanyriverrats.com**

Community Calendar:

· Tuesday January 20th @ 1:30PM – C Adrian Foster and LW Greg Crozier will be at Wildwood School spending time reading to mentally challenged kids. The Wildwood School is located at 2995 Curry Road Extension in Schenectady.

· Wednesday January 21st @12PM – "Rowdy" The Rat will be in Glenmont for the Wal-Mart grand opening signing autographs and visiting with fans.

· Saturday January 24th @ 1PM – "Rowdy" The Rat will be at Grafton Lakes State Park Winter festival for their annual snow-sculpting contest on long pond.

· Sunday January 25th @ 2PM – "Rowdy" The Rat will be helping the B.I.G. Arena's Learn-To-Skate program. The B.I.G. Arena is located at 900 Delaware Avenue in Delmar.

· Sunday January 25th @ 2PM – "Rowdy" The Rat will be at The Holiday Inn Turf at 205 Wolf Rd for the 25th Annual Center of the Disabled Cerebral Palsy Telethon.

River Rats Rewind: Week 15 – January 12, 2004 (1-1-0-2, 4pts)

January 14th – ROC 4 @ ALB 6 – LW Joe Hulbig set a team/season-high with four (2-2-4) points and C Craig Darby added a goal and two assists as the River Rats scored three third period goals for the come-from-behind win. RW Jiri Bicek scored the winner and G Scott Clemmensen made 20 saves to give Albany its second straight home ice victory.

January 16th - ALB 3 @ BNG 4 F/OT – C's Craig Darby and Adrian Foster scored for the second straight game as Albany earned a point with its second consecutive third period comeback. LW Tuomas Pihlman netted his fifth goal and G Ari Ahonen made 23 saves in his first start since December 28th.

January 17th – HAM 0 @ ALB 5 – The River Rats could not take advantage of an 11-5 first period shot advantage in being shutout for the sixth time this season. Bulldogs G Olivier Michaud stopped all 23 shots for his second consecutive shutout for the North Division leaders.

January 18th - ALB 1 @ WOR 2 F/OT – C Craig Darby posted his team-best 15th goal of the season 9:43 into the first period to move within two points of 500 in his AHL career. LW's Joe Hulbig and Steve Kariya chipped in the assists, while G Scott Clemmensen stopped 26 of 28 shots in the overtime loss.

Upcoming Promotions:

Thurs., January 22nd vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers @ 7:00pm – WE'RE @ CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ARENA!

Join us for the 1st ever-home game outside Pepsi Arena!

All tickets are $10 for the game at the home of the Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils!

Transportation & Ticket Packages available for only $30!

Sat., January 31st vs. Rochester Americans @ 7:00pm – GUNS-N-HOSES APPRECIATION NIGHT!

The first 2,000 fans receive a FREE Guns-N-Hoses T-Shirt!

Join the Auction to Benefit the Albany Police & Fireman's Fund!

Radio Disney & Bromley Mountain in the Kids Zone!

NY Lotto Lottery Night w/Yolanda Vega!

(First 500 fans 18 and older get a FREE Play coupon)

JOIN THE RIVER RATS' 2,000,000TH FAN CELEBRATION ON February 14TH?

SOMEONE COULD WIN THE WEDEKIND PONTIAC GRAND PRIZE?

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON – ONLY 26 DAYS LEFT!



American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2004


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