Sports stats



Samson Lifts Albany To 3-2 Overtime Win

February 16, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - Rookie right wing Jerome Samson scored two goals, including the overtime winner, to lead the Albany River Rats to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phantoms Saturday night at the Times Union Center.

After registering a season-high 49 shots on goal last night against Bridgeport, the River Rats were held without a shot on goal for the first ten minutes of the first period. Goaltenders Michael Leighton for Albany and Brian Boucher for Philadelphia handled everything they saw; Leighton made several big saves on shots down low and Boucher robbed Mike Angelidis of a would-be goal with under five minutes left in the period.

The Phantoms got on the board first in the second period when Tristan Grant skated around an Albany defenseman fired a shot on Leighton and Darroll Powe swooped in a hacked at the rebound, chopping the puck up in the air and over the shoulder of Leighton at 3:50. But the River Rats tied the game on a power play as rookie Jerome Samson tipped a Noah Babin shot pass Boucher for his 17th goal of the season at 10:23. The goal was Samson's 10th power play goal of the year and was assisted by Babin and Jakub Petruzalek. Two and a half minutes later Albany almost grabbed the lead when they were awarded a penalty shot at 13:02 when Petruzalek was impeded from behind on a breakaway. Petruzalek faked the puck around Boucher's poke check, but saw his backhand shot denied by a sprawling save from Boucher, who knocked the puck away while rolling on his back. Boucher stopped another breakaway soon after, denying an attempt from Brandon Nolan.

In an intense third period Jamie Johnson gave Albany their first lead in their last five games as he scored at 17:33 to put the River Rats ahead 2-1. Brandon Nolan took the puck from behind the net to one side and slid his pass through the middle of the crease to a wide-open and waiting Johnson at the far post for his 13th goal of the season; Nolan and Bryan Rodney earned assists on the goal. Albany looked poised to break their four-game winless streak when defenseman Joey Mormina was called for tripping at 18:32. Philadelphia pulled Boucher for a six-on-four advantage and with 20.4 seconds remaining Jared Ross fired a diagonal cross-ice pass to Stefan Ruzicka who blasted a one-timer from the left face off dot into the net, tying the game at two and forcing overtime.

But the River Rats would not allow the Phantoms to spoil their superb effort on this night. Noah Babin sent a long pass up the right wing to Samson who skated in on a two-on-one rush. Samson looked off the defender then ripped a wrist shot from the right circle that beat Boucher upstairs at 2:13 of overtime to send the Times Union Center crowd into a frenzy. It was the rookie's second goal of the night, his 18th of the season, and he was mobbed by his teammates behind the Philadelphia goal in celebration.

Michael Leighton made 35 saves on 37 shots in 62:13 of action to record his 17th win of the season and help Albany improve to 28-23-0-3 on the year. Brian Boucher put in a solid performance in goal for Philadelphia, stopping 26-of-29 shots, but taking the loss as they fall to 35-17-2-2. Albany finished the game 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Phantoms were 1-for-3 with the man advantage.

Notes: Before the game the River Rats signed right wing Daniel Sparre to Professional Tryout Agreement and he made his Albany debut wearing the #9 jersey; he was released from a PTO with the Springfield Falcons earlier in the day.

Albany will not have much time before beginning their game schedule for Week 21 of their 2007-08 season. The River Rats will travel to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon for a President's Day afternoon game against the Phantoms at 4:05 pm at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Partial season tickets packages and flex tickets for the 2007-08 River Rats season are on sale now. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2008


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.

Other Recent Albany River Rats Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central