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River Rats' winning road trip leads back home

February 13, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The Albany River Rats open a five-game homestand against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday night at 7:00pm (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM; B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Penguins (36-9-3-2, 1st East) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday. C Erik Christensen was reassigned by the parent Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday and shows 30 (14-16) points in just 21 AHL games during the 2005-06 season. The River Rats have a 12-18-5-0 record in the all-time regular season series against the Penguins, which includes an 8-7-3 record at home. Wilkes-Barre opened the season series with a 2-1 home win on Saturday night and the clubs meet two more times this season.

The River Rats then host the Hartford Wolf*Pack in a 7:00pm face-off at Pepsi Arena on Family Fun Friday (6:45pm WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Wolf*Pack (28-15-2-6, 3rd Atlantic) posted a 4-3 home win over the Houston Aeros on Saturday night. Rookie C Jarkko Immonen has six goals in the last five games and tops the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers with 45 (23-22) points in 51 games this year. The River Rats hold an 11-18-3-3 record in all-time regular season series against the Wolf*Pack, including a 5-7-2-3 home mark. Albany is winless (0-2-0-0) against Hartford so far this season, having been outscored 14-7 in the two games.

Albany closes out the weekend against the Lowell Lock Monsters on Saturday night at 7:00pm with Nickelodeon's Kid Genius Jimmy Neutron visiting the game (6:45pm WABY 1160AM & WVKZ 1240AM & B2 Networks @ www.albanyriverrats.com). The Lock Monsters (20-26-4-4, 5th Atlantic) dropped a 7-4 decision to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday and visit Portland on Wednesday, before hosting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday night. C Keith Aucoin is tied for seventh in the AHL with 36 assists & 55 points in 49 games for the top prospects of the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche. The River Rats have a 9-10-2-0 record in the all-time regular season series against the Lock Monsters, which includes a 5-4-1-0 record on home ice. Albany leads the 2005-06 season series 3-2-0-0 over Lowell, holding a 20-17 scoring advantage.

River Rats Practice Schedule: * The schedule is subject to change, so please verify with the Communications Staff

Tues., February 14, 2006 - 11:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena

Wed., February 15, 2006 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; W-B/Scranton Penguins @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Thurs., February 16, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ Pepsi Arena

Fri., February 17, 2006 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Hartford Wolf*Pack @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Sat., February 18, 2006 - 10:00am Game Day Skate @ Pepsi Arena; Lowell Lock Monsters @ RIVER RATS, 7:00pm

Sun., February 19, 2006 - OFF DAY

Mon., February 20, 2006 - 10:00am practice @ TBD

Story Ideas

Barry Tallackson - He has been one of the most consistent River Rats all season and made his NHL debut earlier this year. His ability to perform on a night-in-night-out basis is unusual for most first year skaters and something the club has come to rely on.

Chris Minard - The Alaska scoring ace has proven he can play at the next level with 10 (6-4) points in 16 games since joining the club. He has a regular shift, power play time and a knack for the net that should keep him in the AHL for good.

Rat Bites:

* RW Aleksander Suglobov picked up a point in all three games last week to extend his point-scoring streak to a team/season-high nine straight match-ups. The team's leading scorer has 11 (6-5) points during the AHL's second current longest streak.

* C Nicklas Bergfors had a six-game, point-scoring streak snapped on Saturday night. He totaled eight (4-4) points over that stretch and has 20 (9-11) points in 37 games this season.

* G Frank Doyle leads the AHL with 1,171 saves and is tied for seventh on the circuit with a .913 save percentage. He earned his 15th victory on Wednesday and faced the club's first road penalty shot since November 26, 2003 on Friday night.

-More-

Rat Bites Continued:

* Rookie RW David Clarkson ranks third on the club with 10 goals and 26 points, while placing eighth in the AHL with 199 penalty minutes this season.

* RW Barry Tallackson has 11 (3-8) points in his last 10 games and leads the River Rats with 21 assists in 39 games during the 2005-06 campaign.

River Rats Rewind: Week 19 - February 3, 2006 (1-1-1-0, 3pts)

February 8 - ALB 5 @ SPR 2 - RW Alexander Mogilny posted a goal and an assist as the River Rats won their third straight road contest. LW Ilkka Pikkarainen opened the scoring in the first period, while Mogilny, C Chris Minard and RW Aaron Voros each connected for second period tallies. G Frank Doyle stopped 34 shots on goal for the win.

February 10 - ALB 1 @ PRO 2 F/OT - RW Aleksander Suglobov scored with 2:53 remaining in regulation as the River Rats earned a point for the fourth straight game (3-0-1-0). C Nicklas Bergfors chipped in an assist to give him points in six straight match-ups, while G Frank Doyle stopped 34 shots on goal, including a third period penalty shot.

February 11 - ALB 1 @ WBS 2 - RW Barry Tallackson opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season in the first meeting of the former East Division rivals. RW Aleksander Suglobov extended his point-scoring streak to nine games with an assist and G Gregg Naumenko stopped 26 of 28 shots on goal in taking the loss.

Upcoming Promotions:

Wednesday, February 15, 2006 @ 7:00pm - Kids In Free Wednesday!

All Children 12 & Under Get In FREE With A Paid Adult!

Special "Mouse Trap" Kids Concession Stand with Discount Prices!

Friday, February 17, 2006 @ 7:00pm -Family Fun Friday!

Radio Disney Fun Zone with Games, Music & Prizes!

Saturday, February 18, 2005 @ 7:00pm - Jimmy Neutron Visits Pepsi Arena!

Showstopper Saturday with Pre-Game Fireworks!

Meet Nickelodeon's Kid Scientist Live!

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

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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