River Rats set to ring in 2005

Published on December 27, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats host the Rochester Americans in the first of six games during the 2004-05 regular season at Pepsi Arena on Wednesday night at 7:00pm. All seats are just $10 and Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold will be at the game, plus Radio Disney will have your first chance to register to win a trip to Walt Disney World! The New York State rivals will then square off on New Year's Eve at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester at 7:35pm. The Americans (16-7-3-3, T-1st North) defeated the Syracuse Crunch 5-2 on home ice Thursday night for their third straight win and will host the Edmonton Road Runners on Tuesday. LW Thomas Vanek leads the Amerks and all American Hockey League rookies with 14 goals, while placing second in the league with 10 power play markers. Second-year C Derek Roy leads the top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres with 22 assists and 29 points during the 2004-05 campaign. Albany holds a 34-31-9-6 record in the all-time regular season series against Rochester, including a 19-10-6-5 mark at home with a 15-21-3-1 road record. The two teams will face-off another four times this season on January 19th in Albany, February 4th & March 18th in Rochester before concluding the season series on April 2nd at Pepsi Arena.

The River Rats open the 2005 calendar year with a special 5:00pm matinee against the Philadelphia Phantoms at Pepsi Arena on New Year's Day. All Hannaford Kids Club members are invited onto the ice for a post-game skate with the players! The Phantoms (21-6-1-2, 1st East) dropped a 6-2 decision to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Sunday and will host Norfolk on Wednesday before closing 2004 at Hershey on Friday. C Patrick Sharp leads the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers with 26 (12-14) points, including five power play goals in 26 games this season. Rookie C R.J. Umberger is tied for third among newcomers with 20 (9-11) points after signing with Philadelphia as a free agent over the summer. Albany sports a 14-13-4-2 record in the all-time regular season series against Philadelphia, which includes a 9-5-2-1 mark at Pepsi Arena. The Phantoms notched a 4-3 road victory in overtime back on November 20th in the first of the six-game season series. The East Division rivals meet another four times on January 9th, 23rd and on April 10th at the Wachovia Spectrum before wrapping it up on Fan Appreciation Day at Pepsi Arena on April 16th at 4:00pm.

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

Tuesday - Practice at Bethlehem Area YMCA, 10:00am

Wednesday - Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Rochester Americans @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Thursday - Practice at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am; Travel to Rochester

Friday - Game Day Skate at Blue Cross Arena, 11:15am; RIVER RATS @ Rochester Americans, 7:35pm

Saturday - Philadelphia Phantoms @ RIVER RATS, 5:00pm

Sunday - OFF DAY

Monday - Practice at Pepsi Arena, 10:00am

Rat Bites: * LW Ahren Nittel scored a goal in both games last week to extend his goal-scoring streak to three straight games. The 21-year-old shows six (5-1) points in seven games this year and has 13 (9-4) points in his last 16 AHL games dating back to last season.

* C Pascal Rheaume is tied for the second longest current scoring streak in the AHL at five (4G, 1A) games and is tied for second on the River Rats with nine goals this season. The Captain is four points (93-115-208) away from a third place tie on the franchise's all-time point-scoring list (212).

* LW Brett Clouthier recorded his 500th AHL penalty minute on Sunday in Binghamton. The Ottawa native now ranks seventh on the River Rats' all-time penalty minute list (509) after passing Bryan Helmer and Cale Hulse over the weekend.

Over the Air:

Wed., Dec. 29th vs. Rochester Americans, 7:00pm (6:45pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Fri., Dec. 31st @ Rochester Americans, 7:35pm (7:20pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

Sat. Jan., 1st vs. Philadelphia Phantoms, 5:00pm (4:45pm Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game Show, AM 1160 WABY)

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

Community Outreach Appearances:

Mon., January 3rd @ 2:00pm - Two River Rat players will speak to an assembly of students at Veeder Elementary School about incorporating self-discipline into their daily lives. The Veeder Elementary School is located at 25 Veeder Drive in Albany.

Mon., January 3rd @ 5:15pm - Two River Rat players will attend at Clifton Park Mini Mite Youth Hockey practice from 5:15-6:15pm to help young players develop their hockey skills. The practice is scheduled to take place at Clifton Commons in Clifton Park.

River Rats Rewind: Week 11 - December 20, 2004 (0-2-0-0, 0pts)

December 22nd - ALB 2 @ BNG 8 - C Pascal Rheaume matched a team/season-high by scoring in his fourth straight game and LW Ahren Nittel posted a goal in his second consecutive match-up as the River Rats fell to 3-1 against Binghamton this season. Former R.P.I. Engineer D Brian Pothier netted three assists and the Senators went 4-9 on the power play in the victory.

December 26th - ALB 2 @ BNG 6 - LW Ahren Nittel scored his fifth goal in seven games this season and C Pascal Rheaume extended his point-scoring streak to five games (4-1-5) with an assist. LW Dean McAmmond chipped in a goal and an assist, while G Ari Ahonen stopped 29 shots in the club's second consecutive defeat to the Senators.

Upcoming Promotions:

Wed., December 29th vs. Rochester Americans @ 7:00pm - Hey Arnold! & A Trip to Disney World!

All Seats are just $10!

2004-05 Team Picture Giveaway!

Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold will be at the game with Stickers & Tattoos!

Radio Disney joins the fun with games, prizes and your first chance to register to

Win a trip for four people to Disney World in Orlando, Florida!

Sat., January 1st vs. Philadelphia Phantoms @ 5:00pm - Hannaford Supermarkets Kids Club Post-Game Skate!

All Hannaford Supermarkets Kids Club Members get to skate on the ice with the players!

All children 12 and under can sign up FREE

at www.albanyriverrats.com or at any River Rat home game!

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American Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2004


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