River Rats Thump Monarchs 5-2

Published on October 19, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - The Albany River Rats scored thirty seconds into the game and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Manchester Monarchs Friday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats jumped on the attack right off the opening face off and immediate put the Monarchs on the back foot. Keith Aucoin snapped a crisp pass to Jerome Samson, who unleashed a shot that was denied by a sprawling Dan Cloutier, but Ryan Bayda was in perfect position to collect the rebound and shoot into an open net. The goal coming at 0:32 of the first period, Bayda's first goal of the season. Dave Gove doubled the River Rats lead at 7:32 assisted by Bobby Hughes and Mike Angelidis; Gove's 2nd goal of the season. Brandon Nolan scored at 15:48, from Nicolas Blanchard and Wade Brookbank, capping a one-sided first period that saw Albany out-shoot Manchester 14-3.

Manchester replaced Cloutier with backup Erik Ersberg for the start of the second period in hopes of stopping Albany's momentum. But the River Rats picked up where they left off at the midway point of the period as rookie sensation Jerome Samson scored his team-leading third goal of the season at 10:01. Samson's goal, a power play goal, was set up beautifully by Aucoin and Nolan to give Albany a 4-0 lead. But Manchester gained a little momentum later in the period when Gabe Gauthier scored a power play goal at 15:59 to put the Monarchs on the board.

In the third period rookie center Bobby Hughes, playing in just his third pro game, scored his first career professional goal at 2:57, assisted by Aucoin and Brett Carson, regaining the River Rats 4-goal lead. Manchester finished off the scoring 10:45 when defenseman Troy Milam's shot from the blue line deflected up in the air and bounced into the net past Albany goalie Kevin Nastiuk who never saw the shot through the building fog at ice level; Milam was credited with the goal that made the score 5-2 River Rats.

Kevin Nastiuk recorded the win in his first start of the season for Albany, stopping 27-of-29 shots; it was his second career AHL victory. Dan Cloutier took the loss for Manchester; making 11 saves on 14 shots in the first period. Erik Ersberg played the final two periods, blocking 15-of-17 shots. Albany finished 1-for-5 on the power play and out-shot Manchester 31-29, while the Monarchs were 1-for-4 with the man-advantage.

Albany continues their four-game home stand on Saturday, October 20th as they host the Springfield Falcons at 7:00 pm. The Syracuse Crunch will be in town on Wednesday October 24th, marking the third meeting of the season with the River Rats, but first of the regular season.

Partial season tickets packages and flex tickets 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 October 19, 2007


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