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River Rats Set to Open 10th Anniversary Campaign

October 9, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats open the 2002-03 regular season at the same venue where the club began its inaugural American Hockey League campaign 10 seasons ago. The top minor league affiliate of the New Jersey Devils will face-off against the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena on Friday night at 7:35p.m. The Amerks concluded the 2001-02 campaign with a 32-30-15-3 mark and were eliminated in the opening round of the 2002 Calder Cup playoffs. G Ryan Miller joins the top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and F Jason Bonsignore returns to the ice following a 2 ½ year layoff. The River Rats trail 29-30-7-4 in the all-time regular season series against the Americans.

Albany returns home on Saturday, October 12Th to begin the home portion of its schedule against the St. John's Maple Leafs in a 7:00p.m. face-off. The Maple Leafs turned in a 34-27-17-2 mark last season and advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Baby Leafs are without former Rat Bobby House but return veterans Bob Wren, Craig Mills and newly acquired Bard Leeb. Albany leads the all-time regular season series 13-8-3 over the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The River Rats host the Norfolk Admirals in the first of four meetings this season in a Columbus Day matinee on Monday, October 14TH at 4:00p.m. The top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks is coming off a 38-26-12-4 season that came to an end in the Western Conference quarterfinals. Norfolk shows former Philadelphia Flyer Peter White and goaltender Michael Leighton on the deensive-oriented club. The River Rats show a 1-4-1 record in the all-time regular season series against the Admirals.

River Rats this week: * Practice times are subject to change, please call the River Rats office to confirm dates and times.

Wednesday – Practice at B.I.G. Arena, 10:00a.m. – MEDIA DAY at B.I.G. Arena

Thursday – Practice at B.I.G. Arena, 10:00a.m.; Travel to Rochester

Friday – Game Day Skate at Blue Cross Arena, 11:15a.m.; River Rats at Rochester Americans, 7:35p.m.

Saturday – Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena 10:00a.m.; St. John's Maple Leafs at River Rats, 7:00p.m.

Sunday – Practice TBA

Monday – Norfolk Admirals at River Rats, 4:00p.m.

Over the Air:

Friday, October 11TH at Rochester Americans, 7:35p.m. (7:20p.m. Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game, Sportstalk 980 AM)

Saturday, October 12TH vs. St. John's Maple Leafs, 7:00p.m. (6:45p.m. Capitaland Motor GMC Pre-Game, Sportstalk 980 AM)

Monday, October 14TH vs. Norfolk Admirals, 4:00p.m. (3:45p.m. Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game, Sportstalk 980 AM)

Upcoming Promotions:

· Sat., October 12TH vs. St. John's – Opening Night: The club's annual pre-game block party gets underway at 4:30p.m. on South Pearl Street in front of Pepsi Arena. The pre-game activities will include a Classic Car Expo courtesy of Hemmings Motor News, an Albany Attack shootout, the Mad Science activity booth, Mr. Bouncety Bounce, live music from Spirit 11 and the team's annual merchandise tent sale. Join us for the pre-game ceremonies commemorating the club's 10TH Anniversary!

· Opening Weekend Ticket Special: Anyone who Purchases a ticket for Opening Night and a special $6.00 ticket for the Columbus Day game against the Norfolk Admirals will receive a FREE flex ticket good for any game during the 2002-03 regular season after Opening Night.

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