River Rats set sail for Norfolk following sweep

October 24, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats face-off against the Norfolk Admirals in a pair of road games at Scope Arena this weekend. The teams will square off on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:15pm (7:00pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; Live Audio & Video on B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Admirals (1-4-0-1, 5th East) were swept in a weekend pair of home games against the Philadelphia Phantoms by 3-2 (shootout) and 1-0 margins. The top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks will be off until the first two of six meetings between the former East Division rivals this weekend. C Mark Cullen leads the club with eight (2-6) points in six games, while D Dustin Byfuglien tops the roster with three goals on the young season. The River Rats hold a 5-11-2-2 record in the all-time regular season series against Norfolk, including a 2-5-2-1 record on the road. Albany posted a 3-2-0-1 record against the Admirals during the 2004-05 season, winning the final three match-ups of the series. Albany will visit Scope Arena for the third and final time on December 7TH, while the Admirals visit Pepsi Arena on January 18TH, February 22nd & March 31ST.

River Rats Practice Schedule:

Tues., October 25, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA

Wed., October 26, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA; Travel to Norfolk

Thurs., October 27, 2005 - 11:15am practice @ Scope Arena

Fri., October 28, 2005 - 11:15am Game Day Skate @ Scope Arena; RIVER RATS @ Norfolk Admirals, 7:15pm

Sat., October 29, 2005 - 11:15am Game Day Skate @ Scope Arena; RIVER RATS @ Norfolk Admirals, 7:15pm

Sun., October 30, 2005 - OFF DAY

Mon., October 31, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA

* The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff

Story Ideas

Cam Janssen - The penalty minutes may be down but his game has risen to a new level. He notched four points in 70 games last season and is on pace to pass that number by Halloween. Has he re-shaped his game to fit better within the new rules?

Ryan Murphy - The penalty killing aficionado has ramped up his offensive numbers to start the season following a career year. He is now one of the more respected voices in the lockerroom and fills his soldier with skill role to perfection.

Rat Bites:

* The Albany River Rats earned the 1,000TH point in the team's 13-year franchise history with their second straight home win on Saturday against Lowell.

* C Petr Vrana leads the River Rats and is tied for seventh among AHL rookies with six (4-2) points in six games during the 2005-06 season.

* C Nicklas Bergfors, New Jersey's first round choice in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, made a splash in his first two AHL games. The league's youngest player notched an assist on Friday and turned in a two (1-1) point performance in Saturday's victory.

* The River Rats penalty killing unit ranks first in the AHL (92.0%) having turned away their opponents on 46 of 50 shorthanded situations.

* LW Ryan Murphy has points (2-2) in the last three games and is tied for third on the club with a plus two rating, after leading Albany with a plus 15 mark last season.

* G Ari Ahonen became just the fourth netminder in team history to earn his 50TH AHL victory with a 41-save, first star performance on Saturday at Pepsi Arena.

River Rats Rewind: Week 3 - October 17, 2005 (2-0-0-0, 4pts)

October 21 - ALB 6 @ LOW 3 - RW Aleksander Suglobov & LW Ilkka Pikkarainen each scored twice, while G Frank Doyle stopped 33 shots for his first AHL victory. C Petr Vrana and D David Hale added the other goals, while C Nicklas Bergfors chipped in an assist in his first professional contest.

October 22 - LOW 4 @ ALB 6- C Petr Vrana scored two goals to lead seven different River Rats that turned in multi-point efforts in the club's second straight home victory. C Nicklas Bergfors scored his first AHL goal and LW Ryan Murphy connected for the game-winner on the power play during a three-goal third period. G Ari Ahonen stopped 41 shots on goal for his 50TH AHL win as Albany collected its 1,000TH point as an AHL franchise.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, November 2, 2005@ 7:00pm - Kids FREE Wednesday!

All Children 12 and Under GET IN FREE with a paid adult!

Friday, November 4, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Family Fun Friday!

The Family Four Pack Returns!

4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas & A Family Portrait For Just $44!

Listen to The River 99.5 WRVE FM & Enter For Your Chance To

Watch The Game From Your Own Hack's Furniture Living Room Suite!

(Features couch, tables, lighting and mini-refrigerator!)

Saturday, November 5, 2005@ 7:00pm - Showstopper Saturday!

Pre-Game Fireworks Extravaganza!

Great Giveaways & Prizes!

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 October 24, 2005


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