Shutout In Philly, River Rats Take Shootout Point In Home Opener

October 15, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


2007-08 Record: 1-1-0-1, 3 points, (0-0-0-1 Home, 1-1-0-0 Road), Fourth Place, East Division

Week 2 Recap:

Albany began Week 2 with their second road game of the season. Friday night they were at the Wachovia Spectrum to face the Philadelphia Phantoms for the first time this year. Phantoms goaltender Brian Boucher made 37 saves in a 3-0 shutout performance to keep Philadelphia's unbeaten streak alive. Saturday the River Rats returned to Albany for their home opener at the Times Union Center against the Norfolk Admirals. Jerome Samson scored his second goal of the season and Albany again out-shot their opponent, but they found themselves at the wrong end of a 2-1 shootout loss.

This week the River Rats will continue their four-game home stand with their first two games against teams from the Atlantic Division. Friday, October 19th the Manchester Monarchs will invade the Times Union Center at 7:00 pm. Saturday, October 20th at 7:00 pm the Springfield Falcons are in town for the first time this season.

Week 3 Schedule: (Home Games in Bold)

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

Friday, October 19 7:00 pm vs. Manchester Monarchs (2-1-1-1, 5 pts) Second Place, Atlantic Division

Saturday, October 20 7:00 pm vs. Springfield Falcons (4-2-0-0, 8 pts) First Place, Atlantic Division

Week 2 Game Results:

10/12/07 Albany 0 @ Philadelphia 3

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Philadelphia Phantoms overcame a 37-25 shots on goal deficit to shutout the Albany River Rats 3-0 Friday night at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Philadelphia's Jonathan Matsumoto gave the Phantoms the lead near the halfway lead on a bizarre ricochet off defenseman Tim Conboy. Matsumoto lost control of the puck as he attempted to cut back to the far post and the puck redirected off the leg of Conboy and past a helpless Michael Leighton at 9:01. The River Rats had three power plays, but could not crack the armor of goaltender Brian Boucher.

Ryan Potulny gave the Phantoms a 2-0 lead at 3:52 of the 2nd period, one timing a shot from the slot into the net; assisted by Pete Zingoni and Denis Tolpeko. Mike Angelidis almost put Albany on the scoreboard when his short-handed attempt beat the Philadelphia goalie, but Boucher and the Phantoms were saved when the puck clanged off the post.

In the third period Jared Ross extended Philadelphia's lead to 3-0 with a power play goal at 12:37 assisted by Stefan Ruzicka and Alexandre Picard.

Brian Boucher made 37 saves to earn the shutout victory in goal for Philadelphia. Michael Leighton took the loss for Albany making 22 saves on 25 shots.

10/13/07 Norfolk 2 @ Albany 1 (SO) - (1-0 in Shootout)

ALBANY, NY - The Albany River Rats overcame an early deficit to earn a point in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Norfolk Admirals Saturday night in front of 6,258 fans at the Times Union Center.

Norfolk struck first blood in the opening period when David Schneider scored a power play goal at 5:52 on a five-on-three advantage, assisted by Norm Milley and Dan Jancevski. The River Rats out-shot the Admirals 13-7 in the first period, but could not find a way past goaltender Ryan Munce.

In the second period the River Rats again held a decisive advantage in shots, 15-8, but it took almost the entire 20-minute session to level the score. Rookie right wing Jerome Samson scored his second goal of the season at 19:48, also on a five-on-three power play, assisted by Bobby Hughes and Keith Aucoin.

Norfolk turned the tables on Albany in the third period, narrowly out-shooting the River Rats 8-7 in the scoreless frame.

In both team's first overtime of the season, the Admirals bombarded River Rats goaltender Michael Leighton with eight shots in the five minute period, but Leighton came up big to send the contest into a shootout.

Admirals forward Marek Kvapil was the only shooter to score in the shootout, faking out Leighton in the 4th round to earn the win for Norfolk.

Ryan Munce stopped 36-of-37 shots through regulation and overtime, then denied all five Albany shooters in the shootout to earn his first win of the season in goal for Norfolk. Michael Leighton took the loss in goal for the River Rats, while making 30 saves on 31 shots and turning aside 3-of-4 attempts in the shootout. Albany finished 1-for-7 on the power play and out-shot the Admirals 37-32; Norfolk went 1-for-6 on the power play.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 2)

Jerome Samson - RW - #17 2 GP, 1 Goal, 0 Assists, 1 Point, -1, 2 PIMs

Jerome Samson was a bright spot for the River Rats in Week 2, as he scored the team's only goal in their two games. The rookie right wing scored his second goal of the season, and second power play goal, Saturday against Norfolk, which tied the game and sent the teams into overtime. Samson currently leads the Rivers in Goals (2) and is tied with Keith Aucoin for the team lead in Points (2).

Rat Bites:

- HOME OPENER - The River Rats played their first game of the season at the Times Union Center Saturday against the Norfolk Admirals in from of 6,238 fans. The crowd puts Albany in 11th position on the AHL Attendance Chart; 5 teams have not yet had a home game.

- BAD DATE - The River Rats dropped a 2-1 shootout decision to Norfolk on Saturday and continued a bizarre winless streak. Albany has never won on October 13th, going 0-3-1-1 in five games on that date, including three against Norfolk.

- QUADRICENTENNIAL - River Rats captain Keith Aucoin played in his 400th career AHL game Saturday against Norfolk at the Times Union Center. Aucoin has 390 points (126 goals, 264 assists) in his AHL career, just 10 points shy of the 400 mark.

- A NEW ACCOUNT - Rookie forward Bobby Hughes recorded his first professional point with an assist Saturday against the Norfolk Admirals. Hughes assisted on Jerome Samson's power play goal at 19:48 of the second period; it was only his 2nd career pro game played.

- STIFLED OFFENSE - The River Rats out-shot their opponents 74-57 over two games in Week 2. However the offense struggled to find the net as Albany scored just once; a shooting percentage of 1.4%. The River Rats did score a power play goal over the weekend, but went 1-for-14 on the power play (7.1%).

- STRONG IN NET - Goaltender Michael Leighton has been very solid in goal. Although Albany went 0-1-0-1 on the week, Leighton stopped 52-of-56 shots, a 0.929 save percentage. Leighton currently ranks 8th in the AHL in GAA (1.64), which is the 2nd best in the AHL amongst goalies with 3 or more starts. He also ranks 6th in the league with a 0.945 save percentage.

River Rats Recent Transactions

No player transactions for Week 2.

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Goals: Jerome Samson (2)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (2)

Points: Keith Aucoin, Jerome Samson (2)

Plus/Minus: Five Tied With (+1)

Penalty Minutes: Brandon Nolan (31)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (2)

Short Handed Goals: N/A (0)

Shots: Keith Aucoin, Joey Mormina (11)

Shooting Percentage: Dave Gove (25.0%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (86)

Wins: Michael Leighton (1)

GAA: Michael Leighton (1.64)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.945)

East Division Standings:

EAST GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCT. GF GA

Philadelphia 5 5 0 0 0 10 1.000 19 8

Bridgeport 3 2 1 0 0 4 .667 7 5

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5 2 3 0 0 4 .400 13 18

Albany 3 1 1 0 1 3 .500 4 6

Binghamton 3 1 2 0 0 2 .333 7 9

Norfolk 4 1 3 0 0 2 .250 8 11

Hershey 2 0 2 0 0 0 .000 6 10

The River Rats continue their 4-game home stand next Friday, October 19th with a 7:00 pm face off with the Manchester Monarchs at the Times Union Center. Saturday, October 20th Albany will host the Springfield Falcons and then welcomes the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday October 24th, also at 7:00 pm.

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.



American Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2007


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