River Rats Weekly (Week 29)

Published on April 21, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


2008 Playoff Record: 2-1 (1-0 Home, 1-1 Road), Leads 2-1 In East Division Semifinal

Week 29 Recap:

Albany began the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs with a huge statement game, thrashing the Philadelphia Phantoms 4-0 in Game 1 at the Times Union Center. The series moved to Philadelphia for Games 2 and 3 and the second game of the series was a complete role reversal. The Phantoms defense swarmed Albany's attackers, limiting them to a measly 18 shots on goal, while Philadelphia's offense awoke to score twice on goaltender Michael Leighton and add an empty net goal for a 3-0 win. But the River Rats charged back in Game 3, scoring three goals in the first period and rolled on to a 4-1 win to claim a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Week 30 Preview:

The River Rats return home to the Times Union Center for Games 4 and 5 of their East Division Semifinal with Philadelphia. Holding a 2-1 lead in the series, Albany now has the home ice advantage, meaning that the Phantoms must win at least one of the next two games in Albany if they want to send the series back to Philadelphia. The River Rats are looking to take a two-game lead on Tuesday night's Game 4 at 7:00 pm. Game 5 will be on Thursday, April 24th, while Game 6 (if necessary) is set for Saturday, April 26th.

Week 30 Schedule:

(All games are broadcasted LIVE on the Internet at www.albanyriverrats.com and either ESPN Radio 104.5 FM The Team or 88.3 FM The Saint)

Tuesday, April 22 - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Philadelphia Phantoms (1-2)

East Division Semifinals - Game 4

- The River Rats snapped Philadelphia's 14-game home playoff winning streak with their 4-1 win in Game 3 on Sunday; the streak dated back to May 7, 2004.

- Leading Scorer: Pete Zingoni (C) - 2 points (2 goals, 0 assists) in 2 games played.

- Leading Goaltender: Scott Munroe (G) - 2.35 GAA, 0.896 save pct., 1-2 record in 3 GP, 1 shutout.

- Who's Hot: Pete Zingoni (C) - 2 goals and a +1 rating in last three games played. Stefan Ruzicka (RW) - 2 assists in last three games played. Ryan Potulny (C) - 1 assist and +1 rating in last three games played.

Thursday, April 22 - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Philadelphia Phantoms (1-2)

East Division Semifinals - Game 5

Saturday, April 26 - 7:05 pm - Wachovia Center

@ Philadelphia Phantoms (1-2)

East Division Semifinals - Game 6 - If Necessary

Week 29 Game Results:

4/16/08 Philadelphia 0 @ Albany 4

4/18/08 Albany 0 @ Philadelphia 3

4/20/08 Albany 4 @ Philadelphia 1

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 29)

Bryan Rodney - D - #33 3 GP, 5 points (3 goals, 2 assist), +2, 0 PIMs

Defenseman Bryan Rodney exploded for a team-high five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in the River Rats first week of action in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs. Rodney led all scorers with three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in Wednesday's 4-0 win in Game 1. Rodney was on fire again on Sunday in Game 3, scoring two goals in the first period to help Albany take a 2-1 series lead. Rodney's two-goal effort tied an Albany single-game playoff record, becoming the 15th different River Rat to do so and the 21st time an Albany player has accomplished that feat; no River Rats player has ever recorded a hat trick during a Calder Cup Playoff game.

Rat Bites:

- FIRST WIN IN PHILLY - After going 0-4 against at the Wachovia Spectrum during the regular season, and losing Game 2 at the Wachovia Center on Friday, Albany recorded their first win in Philadelphia in Game 3 with a 4-1 victory. The win also snapped a 14-game home playoff winning streak the Phantoms put together going all the way back to May 7, 2004.

- NO HAT TRICKS - In their 15-year history the Albany River Rats have never had a player record a hat trick during a Calder Cup Playoff game. D Bryan Rodney came close in Game 3, scoring two goals in the first period, but he instead became the 15th different River Rat to score two goals in one playoff game.

- BACK IN THE AREA - Former RPI captain Kirk MacDonald returned to the River Rats when he was called up for the playoffs from the Florida Everblades (ECHL). MacDonald played in 11 games for Albany before being assigned to Florida in December; he finished the year with the Everblades and had 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 43 regular season games and tallied two goals in three ECHL playoff games.

- A FRANCHISE LOW - Philadelphia held Albany to just 18 shots on goal in Game 2 as the River Rats set a new franchise playoff record for the fewest shots in a single game, breaking the previous low of 21 shots posted on April 23, 2007 in a 3-1 loss to Hershey.

- A FRANCHISE HIGH - D Tim Conboy broke a single-game franchise playoff by recording 21 penalty minutes last Wednesday in Game 1 vs. Philadelphia. Conboy surpassed the previous record of 19 PIMs held by two players: Ken Sutton on April 19, 1997 at Adirondack and Dody Wood on April 17, 1998 vs. Adirondack.

- ANOTHER RECORD FOR A GREAT SEASON - G Michael Leighton continues to leave his mark in the Albany River Rats record book during his fantastic 2007-08 season. Leighton recorded a 39-save shutout on Wednesday in Game 1 vs. Philadelphia, becoming just the fourth Albany goaltender to record a shutout in the playoffs. Mike Dunham still holds the franchise record for most career playoff shutouts (2), but no River Rats goalie has ever recorded more than one playoff shutout during the same year.

River Rats Recent Transactions

April 16 - ADD David Cornacchia (D) and Kirk MacDonald (RW) - Recalled from loan with the Florida Everblades (ECHL). DELETE - Chris Terry (C) - Released from ATO.

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Games Played: 17 tied with (3)

Goals: Bryan Rodney (3)

Assists: Five tied with (2)

Points: Bryan Rodney (5)

Plus/Minus: Steve Ward (+3)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (21)

Power Play Goals: Three tied with (1)

Short Handed Goals: None

Game-Winning Goals: Brett Carson & Jakub Petruzalek (1)

Shots: Jerome Samson (10)

Shooting Percentage: Bryan Rodney (60.0%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (114)

Wins: Michael Leighton (2)

GAA: Michael Leighton (1.00)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.974)

The East Division Semifinals against the Philadelphia Phantoms is back in Albany for Game 4 on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm and Game 5 on Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center.

River Rats playoff ticket packages for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now, with special pricing available for children and seniors. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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