River Rats to improve on first quarter mark

November 28, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Week Ahead:

The Albany River Rats host the Manchester Monarchs in the first of six meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals on Tuesday, November 29TH at 7:00pm (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Monarchs (11-3-0-3, 2ND Atlantic) posted a 4-3 shootout victory over the Providence Bruins on Sunday evening. Rookie LW Jeff Tambellini is tied for second in the AHL with 14 goals and is tied for sixth with 25 points in 18 games for the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. D Denis Grebeshkov is tied for sixth among league blueliners and team defenders with 13 assists this season. The River Rats hold a 2-5-1-2 record in the all-time regular season series against Manchester, including a 2-2-0-1 record on home ice. Albany turned in a 0-2 record against the Monarchs last season, being outscored 11-4 in the two meetings.

The River Rats take on the Portland Pirates in the first of four match-ups in the Capital District on Friday night at 7:00pm. (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Pirates (14-4-1-0, 1ST Atlantic) posted a 5-4 victory over the Springfield Falcons on the road Sunday. LW Dustin Penner leads the way with 20 (11-9) points in 16 games during the 2005-06 campaign. Former R.P.I. Engineer G Nathan Marsters has an 8-1 record with a 2.88 goals against average for the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The River Rats hold a 17-14-5-3 record in the regular season series against Portland, including a 9-6-4-0 mark at Pepsi Arena. The teams will meet another six times this season, while the Pirates won the first meeting at home by a 4-2 score on October 16TH.

Albany concludes its second five-game homestand against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday, December 3RD at 7:00pm. (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). This week Is Fly-Away Saturday featuring Round Trip tickets to anywhere Independence Air Flies! The Senators (6-10-1-1, 6TH East) dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday and visit Norfolk on Wednesday before visiting Philadelphia on Friday. LW Denis Hamel leads the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators with 21 (11-10) points, including seven power play goals during the 2005-06 season. C Steve Martins is tied for the team lead with 11 assists in his second tour of duty with the Baby Sens. The River Rats hold an 8-16-3-2 record in the all-time series against Binghamton, including a 5-8-1-1 home record. Albany leads the season series 1-0 following a 6-3 win at Pepsi Arena on November 19TH. The New York State rivals meet another four times this season.

The River Rats close out the weekend with their second visit to the MassMutual Center to take on the Springfield Falcons at 4:05pm on Sunday. (3:50pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Falcons (10-6-1-2, 3RD Atlantic) are coming off a 5-4 home loss to Portland on Sunday and visit Providence on Friday along with Manchester on Saturday night. C Ryan Vesce has taken over the team scoring lead with 18 assists in 25 points during his rookie campaign. Veterans Jason Jaspers and Norm Milley both have nine goals to lead the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The River Rats hold a 26-24-9-3 record in the all-time series against Springfield, including an 11-14-3-3 road mark. Albany is 0-2-0-0 against the Falcons this season, with Springfield holding a 9-6 scoring advantage.

River Rats Practice Schedule:

Tues., November 29, 2005 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Manchester Monarchs @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Wed., November 30, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA

Thurs., December 1, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA

Fri., December 2, 2005 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Portland Pirates @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Sat., December 3, 2005 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Binghamton Senators @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Sun., December 4, 2005 - RIVER RATS @ Springfield Falcons, 4:05pm

Mon., December 5, 2005 - TBD

* The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff

-More-

Story Ideas

Ilkka Pikkarainen - The third year pro is blossoming with more offensive responsibility. Throw in his chippy style of play and the package makes for a difficult player for the opposition to handle.

Brad Ference - A former first round selection that brings over 200 games of NHL experience to the River Rats' blueline. He played in Europe last season and is looking to earn his way back to the NHL, with the road now going through Albany.

Rat Bites:

* RW Aleksander Suglobov has 10 (4-6) points with a plus five rating in his last 10 games and leads the River Rats with 16 (8-8) points this season.

* G Frank Doyle stopped 75 of 77 shots in two games last week, including his first AHL shutout on Saturday. He leads the team with a 2.59 goals against average.

* D Brad Ference made his River Rats debut in the 2-0 victory over Rochester on Saturday and has 11 (2-9) points in 20 games during the 2005-06 campaign.

* The River Rats finished the week by killing off 17 consecutive opposition power plays and now rank 12TH in the AHL with an 84% penalty killing mark.

* LW Ilkka Pikkarainen has points (2-3-5) in four straight games and ranks second on the club with 13 (7-6) points this season.

River Rats Rewind: Week 8 - November 21, 2005 (1-2-0-0, 2pts)

November 23 - ALB 2 @ HFD 7 - The River Rats took a season-high 50 shots on goal but surrendered three power play goals in their most lopsided loss of the season. RW Aaron Voros scored for the third time in the last four games and D Bobby Allen added his first marker since October 16TH.

November 25 - PHI 2 @ ALB 1 -LW Ilkka Pikkarainen opened the scoring with just under a minute remaining in the first period as the club saw its winless skid extended to three (0-2-0-1) games. C Ivan Khomutov posted the lone assist and G Fran Doyle stopped 41 of 43 shots on goal to earn second star of the game honors.

November 26 - ROC 0 @ ALB 2 - LW Ilkka Pikkarainen scored both goals to extend his point-scoring streak to a season-high four straight games. C Ivan Khomutov recorded an assist for the second straight night and D Alex Brooks added his first point with a helper, while G Frank Doyle stopped 34 shots on goal for his AHL shutout.

Upcoming Promotions:

Friday, December 2, 2005 @ 7:00pm -- Family Fun Friday!

4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas & A Family Portrait For Just $44!

Radio Disney Joins The Party With Games & Prizes!

&

Listen to The River 99.5 WRVE FM & Enter For Your Chance To

Watch The Game From Your Own Hack's Furniture Living Room Suite!

Saturday, December 3, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Fly-Away Saturday vs. Binghamton!

Pre-Game Fireworks Extravaganza & Wedekind Pontiac Score-O!

FLY AWAY WITH INDEPENDENCE AIRLINES!

Meet "Rowdy" At Latham Circle Mall From 12-2PM &

Win Round Trip Tickets to Anywhere Independence Air Flies At The Game!

For further information on 2005-06 season and flex ticket packages contact (518) 487-2244 or visit www.albanyriverrats.com.



American Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2005


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