River Rats Weekly

Published on October 31, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats face-off against the Springfield Falcons in a 7:00pm contest on Wednesday night at Pepsi Arena. (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Falcons (4-2-1-0, T-4TH Atlantic) are coming off a 3-2 home victory over the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday. C Jason Jaspers leads the club with nine (4-5) points in seven games during the 2005-06 campaign. Former Rochester RW Norm Milley is tied for tops with four goals, all of which have come on the power play for the top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The River Rats hold a 26-22-9-3 record in the all-time regular season series against Springfield, including a 15-9-6 record on home ice. Albany posted a 4-2 record against the Falcons during the 2004-05 season, holding a 12-9 scoring advantage. The eight-game series continues in Springfield on November 18TH, December 4TH, February 8TH & April 13TH, while club's skate at Pepsi Arena on January 4TH, March 8TH and 19TH.

The River Rats then host the Hartford Wolf*Pack in the first of three home games during the 2005-06 season Friday night at 7:00pm. (7:00pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Wolf*Pack (4-2-1-1, T-2nd Atlantic) dropped a 4-3 decision to the Manchester Monarchs in a shootout on the road last night. C Jarkko Immonen paces the top affiliate of the New York Rangers with seven (4-3) points in eight games this season. G Al Montoya has been good in his first professional campaign with a 3-1 record, a 2.74 goals against average and a franchise record 51 saves against Bridgeport on Saturday. The River Rats hold an 11-15-3-3 record in the all-time regular season series against Hartford, including a 5-6-2-3 mark at Pepsi Arena. Albany posted a 1-1 record against the Wolf*Pack during the 2004-05 season series. The division rivals square off in Hartford on November 23RD, January 29TH and February 25TH and again in the Capital District on February 17TH and April 12TH.

Albany closes out the weekend at home against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 7:00pm face-off on Saturday. (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com ). The Sound Tigers (2-4-1-0, T-5TH East) have lost three-in-a-row following a 3-2 loss to the Wolf*Pack on the road Saturday night. LW Justin Papineau leads the way with nine (5-4) points in seven games during the 2005-06 season. C Wyatt Smith has assists in three straight games since joining the club and C Kevin Colley was recently returned by the parent New York Islanders. The River Rats hold a 9-14-5-4 record in the all-time regular season series against Bridgeport, including a 7-5-3-1 record at home. Albany posted a 4-1-0-3 record against the Sound Tigers during the 2004-05 season series, with a 22-20 scoring advantage. The River Rats visit the Arena At Harbor Yard on March 1st to close out the series.

River Rats Practice Schedule:

Tues., November 1, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Bethlehem YMCA Wed., November 2, 2005 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Springfield Falcons @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Thurs., November 3, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena

Fri., November 4, 2005 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Hartford Wolf*Pack @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Sat., November 5, 2005 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Bridgeport Sound Tigers @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Sun., November 6, 2005 - OFF DAY

Mon., November 7, 2005 - 10:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena

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

Story Ideas

Frank Doyle - The netminder has been thrust into the spotlight with Ari Ahonen's recall to New Jersey and responded with two outstanding performances. He excelled in the ECHL last season and played for the University of Maine Black Bears.

Jason Ryznar - The native of Anchorage, Alaska had a career night on Saturday and has been playing with fellow rookies C Petr Vrana and RW Barry Tallackson. He was drafted by the Devils 64th overall in 2002 and excels on the penalty kill.

Rat Bites:

* The Albany River Rats are tied for the AHL lead with a 90.5 % penalty killing efficiency through eight games this season.

* LW Jason Ryznar set a career-high and matched his output of the season's first seven games with one goal and two assists on Saturday night in Norfolk.

* RW Aleksander Suglobov had his goal-scoring streak snapped at three games on Saturday but picked up an assist, giving him points (4-2) in four straight contests.

* The River Rats are one of only four teams that remain unbeaten on home ice. Albany is 2-0-0-0 in front of an average of 5,282 fans at Pepsi Arena.

* LW Ahren Nittel scored his first goal of the season on Saturday, fittingly on the power play. The 21-year-old, who has points in three straight games, ranked third in the AHL with 17 power play goals last season.

River Rats Rewind: Week 4 - October 24, 2005 (1-1-0-0, 2pts)

October 28 - ALB 1 @ NOR 3 - RW Aleksander Suglobov scored for the third straight game and C Nicklas Bergfors extended his point-scoring streak to three games with the lone assist. G Frank Doyle stopped 32 of 34 shots on goal but Albany surrendered a goal in each period to halt their winning streak at two games.

October 29 - ALB 3 @ NOR 2 - LW Jason Ryznar posted a career-high three points, including the lone assist on LW Ryan Murphy's shorthanded game-winner with 1:32 seconds remaining. LW Ahren Nittel scored his first goal of the season and RW Aleksander Suglobov extended his point-scoring streak to four games with an assist, while G Frank Doyle stopped a career-best 37 shots for the win.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, November 2, 2005@ 7:00pm - Kids FREE Wednesday! All Children 12 and Under GET IN FREE with a paid adult!

Friday, November 4, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Family Fun Friday! The Family Four Pack Returns! 4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas & A Family Portrait For Just $44!

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! (Features couch, tables, lighting and mini-refrigerator!)

Saturday, November 5, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Showstopper Saturday! Pre-Game Fireworks Extravaganza! Great Giveaways & Prizes!

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American Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2005


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