River Rats Weekly

Published on November 3, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


With only one win in their first six games, the River Rats were looking for a breakthrough as they faced a daunting schedule in Week 4. Friday night against the high-powered Hershey Bears, Albany twice rallied from two-goals down to tie the game in stunning fashion when Jakub Petruzalek found Bobby Hughes on the far post for the game-tying goal with 0.7 seconds left in regulation. The River Rats had the early lead in the shootout, only to have their comeback spoiled by former captain Keith Aucoin, who scored the winning goal in the shootout. Saturday Albany made their only trip of the season to Hartford, and while the young River Rats dominated the game at times, the Wolf Pack came away with a 3-1 win. On Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport things looked dreary when the Sound Tigers took a 3-0 in the second period and led 3-1 with less than ten minutes remaining in the third. But the upstart River Rats came storming back, scoring three goals over the final seven minutes to snatch a 4-3 win away from their hosts; the win was Albany's first against an East Division opponent this season.

Early Sunday morning Pat Dwyer became the second River Rats player to be recalled to the NHL by Carolina this season. Dwyer, who scored goals on Friday and Saturday this week, made his NHL debut Sunday afternoon at the RBC Center against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carolina also signed free agent forward Michael Ryan on Friday, who was assigned to Albany and made his Rats debut Saturday in Hartford. With just one game under his belt this season, Ryan broke out on Sunday, recording three points (1 goal, 2 assists), including the game-winning goal, and receiving first star honors.

Week 5 Preview:

With a rash of injuries in Carolina, the Hurricanes now have two of Albany's top forwards, Dwight Helminen and Pat Dwyer, in their lineup. The River Rats did benefit from the return of two players from injury, Jerome Samson and Stefan Chaput. Albany may soon see the return to health of forward Joe Jensen, who is currently rehabbing from a hip injury suffered during Carolina's training camp.

There are only two games on the schedule in Week 5 for the River Rats, both at the Times Union Center, but both will provide hefty challenges. Friday, November 7th Albany will face the first place Hershey Bears for the second time in seven days. Then Saturday, November 8th the Rats will battle the Providence Bruins, who are currently tied for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Week 5 Schedule:

(All games are broadcast LIVE on 104.5 FM "The Team" ESPN Radio and are streamed free over the Internet at www.albanyriverrats.com )

Friday, November 7 - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Hershey Bears (8-3-0-1, 17 pts)

First Place, East Division

* After narrowly edging the River Rats in a shootout last Friday, Hershey hit a mini-skid. The Bears lost at home 5-2 to the Philadelphia Phantoms on Saturday night, then had to rally from a 3-0 deficit with three goals in the third period to salvage a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Phantoms Sunday at Wachovia Spectrum.

* Leading Scorer: Keith Aucoin (C) - 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) in 12 games played.

* Leading Goaltender: Bobby Goepfert (G) - 2.77 GAA, 0.903 save pct., 1-0-1 record in 2 GP.

* Who's Hot: Oskar Osala (LW) - 6 points (5 goals, 1assist) and a +5 rating in last five games played. Chris Bourque (LW) - 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) and a +3 rating in last five games played. Andrew Gordon (RW) - 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and a +3 rating in last five games played.

Saturday, November 8 - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Providence Bruins (6-2-1-0, 13 pts)

Tied-First Place, Atlantic Division

* The P-Bruins made a three-game Western Conference swing last week, getting blanked 6-0 Wednesday in Chicago, falling 4-2 Friday night in Houston, but then salvaged the trip with an emphatic 5-1 win in San Antonio. Providence has played their last six games on the road and will host the Chicago Wolves on Friday night before heading to Albany Saturday night. Former River Rat Johnny Boychuk will make his return to the Times Union Center, along with East Greenbush native Matt Lashoff.

* Leading Scorer: Johnny Boychuk (D) - 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in nine games played.

* Leading Goaltender: Tuukka Rask (G) - 2.32 GAA, 0.923 save pct., 5-2-0 record in 7 GP.

* Who's Hot: Johnny Boychuk (D) - 5 assists in last five games played. Brad Marchand (RW) - 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and a +2 rating in last five games played. Jeremy Reich (LW) - 3 goals and a +3 rating in last game played.

Week 4 Game Results:

10/31/08 Hershey 4 @ Albany 3 - Shootout (2-1)

11/1/08 Albany 1 @ Hartford 3

11/2/08 Albany 4 @ Bridgeport 3

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 4)

Mark Flood - D - #4 3GP, 4 Points (0Goals, 4 Assists), -1

Defenseman Mark Flood has been an offensive force coming off the blue line for the River Rats this season. Not only did Flood score Albany's first goal of the season, but through their first nine games, he leads the team in points (8). During Week 4 Flood again paced the team with four points (all assists), posting two assist on Friday against Hershey and two assists again on Sunday as the Rats came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Bridgeport 4-3. The Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island native is tied for fourth in the AHL in points amongst defensemen and he is one of only three AHL blueliners with a shorthanded goal this season.

River Rats Player of the Month: (October)

Jakub Petruzalek - RW - #16 7 GP, 6 Points (3Goals, 3 Assists), Even

Third year right wing Jakub Petruzalek is looking to be a leader on this young Albany River Rats squad and he did that in October. The Litvinov, Czech Republic native led the Rats in points (6) and goals (3) in their first seven games and did not take a single penalty over that span. Petruzalek tallied the River Rats first two-goal game in a 5-4 win over Worcester on October 17th and he registered points in four of their seven games played.

River Rats Goalie of the Month: (October)

Daniel Manzato - G - #31 3 GP, 1-1-1-0, 10 GA, 97 saves, 3.34 GAA, 0.907 sv.%

Rookie goaltender Daniel Manzato has been a solid presence in goal for Albany, giving the River Rats a chance to win in each of his three starts in October. The Fribourg, Switzerland native recorded his first career AHL win in his first start of the season, beat the Worcester Sharks 5-4 on October 17th at the Glens Falls Civic Center. In his second start, Manzato made 35 saves but Albany lost to Binghamton 4-3 in overtime. He looked strong again on October 25th against Philadelphia, allowing two goals on 30 shots, but without offensive support, the Rats lost 3-0. The rookie goalie posted a strong 0.907 save percentage and a 1-1-1-0 record in his first full season of AHL action.

River Rats Rookie of the Month: (October)

Nick Dodge - C - #8 7 GP, 3 Points (1Goal, 2 Assists), +2

Rookie forward Nick Dodge has shown maturity and strong hockey sense beyond his youth that has grown with every game he has played. After playing four-years for Clarkson University, the Oakville, Ontario native scored his first career Pro point in his professional debut on October 11th, then followed it up with his second assist in as many games on October 17th vs. Worcester. Dodge then scored his first career Pro goal on October 24th at Springfield and finished the month with three points (1 goal, 2 assists). He led all River Rats rookies in points during October and led the entire team in plus/minus with a +2 rating.

Rat Bites:

- RATS IN RALEIGH - Early Sunday morning Pat Dwyer became the second Albany forward to be called up to Carolina this season. After playing 233 career Pro games (219 in the AHL), Dwyer joined fellow Rats forward Dwight Helminen and the Hurricanes and made his NHL debut Sunday afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the RBC Center. Carolina had five current or former River Rats in the lineup Sunday: Dwyer, Helminen, Ryan Bayda, Wade Brookbank and goaltender Michael Leighton, who recorded his third win in four starts this season for the 'Canes.

- MORE NHL FIRSTS - Dwight Helminen had a very memorable Sunday afternoon. Helminen, playing in his fourth NHL game, scored his first NHL goal to tie the game at 3-3 late in the second period. He then added his first NHL assist on Chad LaRose's eventual game-winning goal in the third period as Carolina rallied from a 3-1 hole to beat Toronto 6-4.

- MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT - Signed by Carolina on Friday, forward Michael Ryan made his Albany debut Saturday night in Hartford. Ryan started to get his legs under him and began to develop some chemistry with his new teammates and on Sunday he took a giant step forward. The Boston, Massachusetts native tallied the River Rats first three-point game of the season, scoring the game-winning goal and adding two assists against Bridgeport, making a statement in his second game of the season.

- MISS PENALTY SHOT, WIN GAME - Albany's Mike Angelidis was awarded a penalty shot in the second period of Sunday's game at Bridgeport. Even though Angelidis' shot was denied by Sound Tigers goaltender Peter Mannino, the River Rats rallied for a 4-3 win. Albany has not scored on their last two penalty shot attempts, but have won both of those games, dating back to February 16, 2008 when Jakub Petruzalek missed his penalty shot, but the team beat Philadelphia 3-2 in overtime.

- THREE SCORING ACCOUNTS OPENED - Four River Rats players scored their first goals of the season this weekend. Jerome Samson and Bobby Hughes each tallied goal #1 on Friday against Hershey; it was Samson's first game of the season. Brett Carson started Albany's four-goal run with his first of the year and Michael Ryan scored his first River Rats goal, the game-winning goal in their comeback win over Bridgeport Sunday afternoon.

River Rats Recent Transactions

October 31 - ADD Michael Ryan (LW) - Assign by Carolina (NHL).

November 2 - DELETE Pat Dwyer (RW) - Recalled from loan by Carolina (NHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Games Played: Eleven players tied with (9)

Goals: Pat Dwyer & Jakub Petruzalek (3)

Assists: Mark Flood (6)

Points: Mark Flood (8)

Plus/Minus: Nick Dodge (+4)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (45)

Power Play Goals: Seven players tied with (1)

Short Handed Goals: Pat Dwyer, Mark Flood & Dwight Helminen (1)

Game-Winning Goals: Pat Dwyer & Michael Ryan (1)

Shots: Pat Dwyer (30)

Shooting Percentage: Harrison Reed & Michael Ryan (20.0%)

Saves: Daniel Manzato (141)

Wins: Daniel Manzato (2)

GAA: Justin Peters (2.98)

Save Percentage: Daniel Manzato (0.910)

Albany has two home games coming up this weekend, beginning on Friday, November 7th with a 7:00 pm face off with the Hershey Bears at the Times Union Center. Saturday, November 8th, the Providence Bruins will be in town for a 7:00 pm start.

River Rats flex ticket packages and individual game tickets are on sale now at the River Rats office and the Times Union Center Box Office. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com .

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