River Rats Stymie Syracuse 5-3

Published on September 29, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


SYRACUSE, NY - Rookie forward Bobby Hughes scored two goals and added an assist as the Albany River Rats completed a two-game preseason sweep over the Syracuse Crunch with a 5-3 win Saturday night at the War Memorial at Oncenter.

Fresh off a 3-0 shutout of the Crunch, Albany was determined to carry the momentum of the previous night's victory into their second preseason game. Neither team found the net in the first period of Friday's game, but the River Rats used their special teams to end that trend quickly. Rookie forward Bobby Hughes blasted home a one-timer from the bottom of the right face off circle for a power play goal at 6:21. Returning forward Jakub Petruzalek (YAH-kub peh-troo-ZHAL-ehk), who did not dress Friday, earned the assist for setting up Hughes' goal.

Syracuse answered right back as Adam Pineault fired in a low shot that beat starting goalie Justin Peters at 6:54, assisted by Andrew Murrary and Jon Landry, starting off a wild first twenty minutes.

Petruzalek put Albany back in front with a power play goal at 15:04, assisted Hughes and Mike Angelidis, giving the River Rats a 2-1 lead. Angelidis then made it 3-1 Albany at 18:20 as he beat Syracuse goaltender Dan LaCosta for their third power play goal of the period; Petruzalek and Brett Peterson assisted Angelidis' goal.

But again the Crunch responded, this time with two goals in a span of 33 seconds. Petr Pohl scored at 18:53 from Geoff Platt and Trevor Frischmon to pull the Crunch within one goal. 18 seconds later Kevin Jarman tied the game 3-3, assisted by Yannick Tifu and Jekabs Redlihs.

The second period was rather mild in comparison. After combining for six goals on 14 total shots, the two teams managed just one goal on 19 shots in the middle frame. Bobby Hughes scored his second goal of the night at 6:46, capitalizing on a 5-on-3 power play. J.D. Forrest and Steve Ward assisted Albany's fifth power play goal of the preseason, Hughes' third point of the game. Syracuse goaltender Tomas Popperle replaced starter Dan LaCosta at the 9:57 mark of the 2nd period.

Kevin Nastiuk, who recorded the win in Friday's game, started the third period in goal for Albany. River Rats defenseman Mark Flood gave the team an insurance goal at 4:58 as he buried his shot from the slot; assisted by Grant Goecker-Zoeller (GEHK-ner ZELL-ehr) and Kirk MacDonald. Syracuse pulled Popperle for the final minute of action, but they failed to narrow the gap.

Justin Peters earned the win for Albany, making 17 saves on 20 shots through the first 40 minutes of action. Kevin Nastiuk played the final 20 minutes in goal for the River Rats, stopping all eight shots he faced. Syracuse starter Dan LaCosta took the loss in goal for the Crunch, blocking 7-of-11 shots in the first 29:57 of the game. Tomas Popperle played the last period and a half in goal for Syracuse, turning aside 8-of-9 shots. Albany finished the game 4-for-7 on the power play, while Syracuse was 0-for-5 with the man advantage, but did out-shoot the River Rats 30-18.

Albany will conclude their 2007 Training Camp with a 10:00 am practice on Sunday, September 30th at the Times Union Center. After an off day on Monday, the River Rats will return to the ice on Tuesday, October 2nd for their first practice of the 2007-08 season.

The River Rats begin their 15th anniversary AHL campaign on the road against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday October 6, 2007 at 7:05 p.m. The primary affiliate of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes will play their home opener at the Times Union Center against the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday October 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Full and partial season tickets packages for the 2007-08 River Rats season are on sale now. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2007


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