River Rats Weekly

Published on March 17, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


2007-08 Record: 37-26-2-4, 80 points, (22-12-1-2 Home, 15-14-1-2 Road), Third Place, East Division

Week 24 Recap:

The River Rats opened their Week 24 action with a heavyweight clash with the Atlantic Division's Portland Pirates Wednesday night at the Times Union Center. Jeff Hamilton tied the game 2-2 early in the third period and the Rats missed several chances to score the go-ahead goal. Portland's Geoff Platt scored on a two-on-zero rush in overtime to grab a 3-2 win for the Pirates. Friday Albany hit the road to complete their eight-game season series with the Binghamton Senators. Both goaltenders were fantastic, each taking shutout performances into a shootout, where the B-Sens earned the 1-0 shootout victory. Saturday Albany hosted Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a crucial East Division showdown, but had to face the Penguins without forwards Joe Jensen, Pat Dwyer and Jeff Hamilton, as they were all recalled to Carolina. The Baby Pens twice scored goals on deflections in front of goalie Michael Leighton and John Curry earned the 2-0 shutout win for Wilkes-Barre.

Week 25 Preview:

Albany will look to rebound from last week's disappointments with home game against the Hershey Bears on Wednesday, March 19th at the Times Union Center. Carolina returned right wing Pat Dwyer to Albany on Monday morning, but then recalled right wing Jeff Hamilton after he cleared re-entry waivers. The River Rats will then hit the road for two games this weekend, Friday night at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Saturday in Worcester.

Week 25 Schedule:

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

Wednesday, March 19 - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Hershey Bears (34-27-1-5, 74 pts)

Fourth Place, East Division

The River Rats are 3-4-0-0 against Hershey this season and will be closing out their eight-game season series on Wednesday. Albany has not faced the Bears since a February 2nd trip to the Giant Center. Hershey trails Albany by six points in the standings, but has two games in hand on the River Rats. The Bears are 1-4-0-0 in their last five games and 2-8-0-0 in their last ten games.

Leading Scorer: Alexander Giroux (C) - 54 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 55 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Daren Machesney (G) - 2.49 GAA, 0.918 save pct., 19-8-1-2 record in 34 GP.

Who's Hot: Alexander Giroux (C) - 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in last five games played. Jason Morgan (C) - 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in last five games played. Scott Barney (RW) - 3 goals in last five games played.

Friday, March 21st - 7:05 pm - Wachovia Arena

@ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (39-24-0-4, 82 pts)

Second Place, East Division

The Penguins extended their winning streak to seven games with a 2-0 shutout of Albany on Saturday, then made it eight-straight games with a 2-1 shootout win Sunday at Providence. Wilkes-Barre begin a five-game home stand on Wednesday against the Lowell Devils; they play eight of their next ten games at Wachovia Arena.

Leading Scorer: Tim Brent (C) - 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 64 games played.

Leading Goaltender: John Curry (G) - 2.07 GAA, 0.919 save pct., 18-8-0-3 record in 30 GP.

Who's Hot: Jonathan Filewich (RW) - 6 points (1goal, 5 assists) and +4 rating in last five games played. Dave Gove (C) - 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) and a +5 rating in last five games played. Nathan Smith (C) - 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) and +2 rating in last five games played.

Saturday, March 22nd - 7:05 pm - DCU Center

@ Worcester Sharks (26-30-4-6, 62 pts)

Sixth Place, Atlantic Division

This will be the final game of the four-game season series between Albany and Worcester; the River Rats are 2-1-0-0 against the Sharks this season, winning both games at Albany. Worcester is 1-3-0-2 in their last six games played and will host Bridgeport on Wednesday and Friday, prior to their game against Albany.

Leading Scorer: Mike Iggulden (C) - 55 points (22 goals, 33 assists) in 64 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Dmitri Patzold (G) - 2.65 GAA, 0.906 save pct., 6-5-1-3 record in 16 GP.

Who's Hot: Brad Staubitz (C) - 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and +4 rating in last five games played. Graham Mink (RW) - 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in last five games played. Riley Armstrong (RW) - 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and +1 rating in last five games played.

Week 24 Game Results:

3/12/08 Portland 3 @ Albany 2 - Overtime

3/14/08 Albany 0 @ Binghamton 1 - Shootout (0-2)

3/15/08 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2 @ Albany 0

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 24)

Michael Leighton - G - #29 3 GP, 1.63 GAA, 0.946 save pct., 0-1-1-1, 87 saves

Michael Leighton was again the key component of the River Rats week. Currently turning in an MVP-caliber season, Leighton allowed just five goals over the week, posting a 1.63 goals-against average and a 0.946 save percentage in three games. Wednesday night Leighton held the powerful Portland offense to just two goals through regulation and conceded the overtime goal on a two-on-zero Pirates rush. Friday Leighton completed a stellar season series with the Binghamton Senators, recording his AHL-leading sixth shutout of the season as the River Rats lost 1-0 in a shootout. Saturday Leighton was again tough in net, allowing just two deflection goals in a 2-0 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Petrolia, Ontario native lowered his league-leading GAA to 2.04 and raised his league best save percentage to 0.933 with his strong play this week.

Rat Bites:

- A GREAT TURN OUT - The River Rats hosted a crowd of 6,236 fans at the Times Union Center Saturday night with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in town. It was the second highest attendance of the season, after the team's home opener on October 13th against Norfolk that drew 6,258 fans.

- MVP NUMBERS - G Michael Leighton is having a banner year for the River Rats, leading the AHL in goals-against average (2.04), save percentage (0.933) and shutouts (6). Leighton ranks 2nd in the AHL in saves (1,404), 3rd in minutes (2,968) and is tied for 4th in wins (24).

- OFFENSIVE DRY SPELL - The River Rats were shutout in back-to-back games for the first time this season on Friday and Saturday. Albany has not scored a goal since Jeff Hamilton's game-tying goal in the third period of Wednesday's overtime loss to the Portland Pirates. The goalless stretch has reached 139:40, six full periods and one overtime period without a goal.

- MORE POSITIVE SHUTOUT STATS - G Michael Leighton's sixth shutout of the season on Friday in Binghamton was his 28th career AHL shutout, tying him with Jason LaBarbera for 6th on the AHL's All-Time list. The shutout also added to his new single season franchise record.

- BINGHAMTON DOMINANCE - Michael Leighton completed a sensational season series against the Binghamton Senators on Friday night. Leighton started in all eight games against the B-Sens this year, posting a 6-0-0-2 record with a miniscule 0.97 GAA, a 0.970 save percentage and two shutouts.

- BICENTENNIAL - RW Chris Blight played in his 200th career Pro game on Saturday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Blight has played 17 games for Albany since being called up from the Reading Royals of the ECHL. He has played in 29 career AHL games with Albany, Worcester, Manitoba and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

River Rats Recent Transactions

March 17 - ADD Pat Dwyer (RW) - Returned on loan from Carolina (NHL). DELETE Jeff Hamilton (RW) - Recalled from loan by Carolina (NHL).

March 15 - DELETE Pat Dwyer (RW) and Joe Jensen (LW) - Recalled from loan by Carolina (NHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Games Played: Jamie Johnson (69)

Goals: Brandon Nolan (22)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (37)

Points: Jamie Johnson (50)

Plus/Minus: Casey Borer (+15)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (189)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (12)

Short Handed Goals: Pat Dwyer (2)

Game-Winning Goals: Brandon Nolan, Jerome Samson (5)

Shots: Jerome Samson (176)

Shooting Percentage: Chris Murray (25.0%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (1404)

Wins: Michael Leighton (24)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.04)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.933)

The River Rats return to action on Wednesday, March 19th for a 7:00 pm face off against their East Division rivals, the Hershey Bears, at the Times Union Center. It will be their last home game of March, not playing another game in Albany until Wednesday, April 9th against Norfolk.

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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American Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2008


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