River Rats Start Fresh in December

December 2, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats continue their four-game home stand against the Portland Pirates on Wednesday night at 7:00PM. The Pirates (9-8-2-3, 4TH North) defeated Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3-2 in overtime at home on Sunday night. C Trent Whitfield leads the top affiliate of the Washington Capitals in goals (9), assists (12), points (21) and shorthanded goals (2). The Pirates rank third among AHL clubs with a goals against average of 2.45 and sport a 3-1-1-1 road record this season. The teams meet for the second and final time during the 2002-03 campaign on March 22ND at the Cumberland County Civic Center in 7:05PM face-off. The River Rats hold a 14-13-3-2 all-time regular season record against Portland, including a 7-6-3 mark at home.

The River Rats skate against the Manchester Monarchs for the first time at Pepsi Arena on Friday night at 7:00PM. The Monarchs (12-5-3-1, 2ND North) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Hamilton Bulldogs at home yesterday and conclude a home-and-home with Hamilton on Wednesday night. LW Derek Bekar has scored seven points over the last six games for the Monarchs who have lost four straight on the road. D Joe Corvo leads the top affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings and all AHL blueliners with 21 (6-15) points during the 2002-03 campaign. Manchester defeated Albany 6-3 at home on Nov. 9TH and the clubs meet two more times this season (Jan. 8TH @ ALB & Mar. 23RD @ MAN).

Albany makes the first of three trips to the Oncenter at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Saturday night for a 7:30PM face-off against Syracuse. The Crunch (8-10-1-0, 5TH Central) have lost three-in-a-row following a 4-3 road loss to the Hershey Bears on Saturday. The top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets hosts Cincinnati on Wednesday and visits Springfield on Friday before Albany's visit. RW David Ling paces the team with 22 points and ranks third on the circuit with 18 assists. G Karl Goehring leads AHL goaltenders with a 1.43 goals against average, four shutouts and a .950 save percentage in 11 games this season. Syracuse defeated Albany 1-0 on November 23RD at Pepsi Arena in the first of six meetings during the 2002-03 season.

The River Rats close out a busy week with a Sunday matinee match-up against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 4:00PM from Pepsi Arena. The Sound Tigers (13-5-5-1, 1ST East), who are unbeaten in their last eight games after a 3-3 tie at Hershey on Sunday, host Providence on Wednesday, Manitoba on Friday and Philadelphia on Saturday before making the second of four trips to the Capital District on Sunday. RW Trent Hunter leads the top affiliate of the New York Islanders with 24 (11-13) points while G Rick DiPietro is tied for tops in the AHL with nine wins, ranks fifth with a 2.19 goals against average and has not lost in his last 12 (8-0-4) starts. The two teams skated to a 1-1 tie in Albany on Nov. 6TH in the first of eight meetings this season.

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

Tuesday – Practice at Pepsi Arena, 10:00AM

Wednesday – Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena, 10:00AM; Portland Pirates at River Rats, 7:00PM

Thursday – Practice at Pepsi Arena, 10:00AM

Friday – Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena 10:00AM; Manchester Monarchs at River Rats, 7:00PM

Saturday – Game Day Skate at Pepsi Arena 10:00AM; River Rats at Syracuse Crunch, 7:30PM

Sunday – Bridgeport Sound Tigers at River Rats, 4:00PM

Monday – OFF DAY

Rat Bites:

* The River Rats took a season-high 41 shots on goal in Saturday night's 2-1 overtime loss to the Rochester Americans at Pepsi Arena.

* G Ari Ahonen turned in a stellar Turkey Month by posting a 1.84 goals against average and a .934 save percentage in seven games during November.

Over the Air:

Tues., December 3RD vs. Rochester Americans, 3:00PM (Time Warner Cable, Channel 2 or 14, TV Replay)**

Wed., December 4TH vs. Portland Pirates, 7:00PM (6:45PM Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game, Sportstalk 980 AM)

Fri., December 6TH vs. Manchester Monarchs, 7:00PM (6:45PM Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game, Sportstalk 980 AM)

Sat., December 7TH at Syracuse Crunch, 7:30PM (7:15PM Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game, Sportstalk 980 AM)

Sun., December 8TH vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 4:00PM (3:45PM Capitaland Motors GMC Pre-Game, Oldies 98.3 WTRY FM)

Community Calendar:

Tues., December 3rd- G Scott Clemmensen will read to second graders at the Holy Cross School in Albany as part of the "Mystery Readers" Program from 1:30-2:00PM.

Tues., December 3rd – Rowdy "The" Rat will be in attendance at the Annual Book Fair at Brittenkill School in Troy from 7:00-7:30PM for a book reading and autograph signing.

Wed., December 4th – Rowdy "The" Rat will be cheering on participants of the Celebrity Pro Am Empire State Open Bowling Competition at the Bowlers Club in Latham from 2:30-3:30PM.

Sun., December 8th – Rowdy "The" Rat will be greeting the public and celebrating this year's Tree Lighting at the Empire State Plaza alongside Terry McSweeney and Elisa Streeter of News 10 from 4:30-5:30PM.

River Rats Rewind:

November 29TH HAM 3 @ ALB 1 – River Rats C Michael Rupp scored with eight seconds remaining in regulation as the club fell to Hamilton for the third time in three games this season.

November 30TH ROC 2 @ ALB 1/OT – Albany LW Jiri Bicek scored at 12:58 of the third period as the River Rats picked up their seventh point in five games against the Amerks. The goalies stole the show with Amerks G Ryan Miller making 40 saves and River Rats stopper Ari Ahonen stopping 35 shots.

Upcoming Promotions:

Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit the Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region: Now through December 8TH!

The Albany River Rats are holding a Holiday Toy Drive and Teddy Bear Toss to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The drive will take place through the River Rats' game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on December 8TH at 4:00PM.

The Albany River Rats families will collect new and unwrapped toys on the Pepsi Arena concourse near the Advance Auto Parts Fan Relations Center during home games on Dec. 4TH, Dec. 6TH & Dec. 8TH. Fans that bring unwrapped toys will receive a raffle ticket for each toy donated and the prize drawing will be held at the Teddy Bear Toss game on December 8TH.

All fans can participate in the Teddy Bear Toss where plush toys are tossed from the crowd onto the ice during an intermission to be entered into a separate prize drawing. Raffle numbers will be attached to all plush toys at the Albany River Rats Families Table prior to December 8TH. Winners will be chosen from the toys on the ice surface and the prize winners from both raffles will win autographed merchandise and other great prizes.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region provides comfort, support, and respite for families of seriously ill children.

Wed., December 4TH vs. Portland Pirates @ 7:00PM – Trustco Take It To The Bank Skills Challenge: The Albany River Rats and Trustco Bank want you to be prepared for the Holidays, so do not miss your chance to win $1,000! Fans will be selected through a random drawing for the chance to come onto the River Rats ice and participate in a variety of skills challenges. If successful, the winner will be awarded the $1,000 prize and if not, another $1,000 will be added to the bank with a total of $12,000 available courtesy of Trustco Bank and the Albany River Rats.

Fri, December 6TH vs. Manchester Monarchs @ 7:00PM – WIN BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS: The Albany River Rats are YOUR source for Lower Level seats to the Bruce Springsteen concert at Pepsi Arena on December 13TH!

· Be at "The Pepsi" when the River Rats award tickets to see THE BOSS for the best poster that incorporates Bruce Springsteen, New Jersey and the River Rats! Winners will be selected from the crowd and then must participate in a BORN TO RUN relay race out on the ice for the chance to win! In addition, two pairs of tickets will be drawn at random assuring that all fans have to do is come in the door for the chance to win the hottest ticket in Albany!

· All fans 12 and under will receive a FREE NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Safety Booklet courtesy of the New York State DMV & the Albany River Rats.



American Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2002


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