Three-Straight Wins Move Albany Into Third Place

Published on February 25, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


Week 21 Recap:

After starting the week with a 2-0 loss in Philadelphia on Monday, Albany bounced back with points in their remaining four games of the week, including three consecutive wins to close the weekend. The River Rats lost in overtime Wednesday in Rochester, then beat Bridgeport 4-1 Friday night at home to reclaim fourth place in the Division. Saturday Albany completed a four-game season series sweep of their old affiliation, the Lowell Devils, when Joe Jensen scored in overtime for a 2-1 win. Sunday it took a shootout for the Rats to win their second straight against Bridgeport, stretching their lead in the standings to four points over the Sound Tigers.

Week 22 Preview:

Albany's recent run of form has pulled them ahead of three other teams battling for position in the East Division playoff picture. In another busy week with four games in five nights, the River Rats will face two division opponents and two teams from the Atlantic Division, beginning with a Wednesday night game against the Binghamton Senators at the Times Union Center. Friday Albany will travel to Springfield for the second and final meeting of the year with the Falcons. They will return home for two games this weekend, Saturday against the Worcester Sharks and Sunday against the East Division leading Philadelphia Phantoms.

Week 22 Schedule: (Home Games in Bold)

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

Wednesday, February 20th - 7:05 pm - Blue Cross Arena

vs. Binghamton Senators (26-23-5-4, 61 pts)

Sixth Place, East Division

After charging back into the playoff race, Binghamton has lost four of their last six games, posting a 1-4-1-0 record over that span. The B-Sens beat Albany in a shootout 3-2 in their last meeting on February 13th at the Times Union Center, it was their first win in four games against the River Rats this year.

Leading Scorer: Denis Hamel (LW) - 43 points (26 goals, 17 assists) in 45 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Jeff Glass (G) - 2.72 GAA, 0.916 save pct., 14-10-3-4 record in 35 GP.

Who's Hot: Denis Hamel (LW) - 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) and +2 rating in last five games played. Greg Mauldin (LW) - 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in last five games played. Scott May (C) - 4 assists in last three games played.

Friday, February 22nd - 7:00 pm - MassMutual Center

@ Springfield Falcons (26-22-5-5, 62 pts)

Fourth Place, Atlantic Division

The Falcons have posted a 3-1-1-0 record in their last five games and currently hold a four-point lead over Manchester for the fourth place playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Springfield overcame a 2-1 deficit by scoring four goals in the third period to beat Albany 5-2 on October 20th in Albany, their only meeting so far this year.

Leading Scorer: Rob Schremp (C) - 52 points (14 goals, 38 assists) in 56 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Jeff Deslauriers (G) - 2.78 GAA, 0.913 save pct., 20-13-3-5 record in 43 GP.

Who's Hot: Marc Pouliot (C) - 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in last five games played. Rob Schremp (C) - 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in last five games played. Grant Potulny (RW) - 4 goals in his last game.

Saturday, March 1st - 7:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Worcester Sharks (21-26-4-34, 49 pts)

Sixth Place, Atlantic Division

Worcester recent struggles have led to a current seven-game winless streak (0-6-1-0) and put them 13 points behind the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Albany beat the Sharks 4-3 at the Times Union Center on January 12th, the first game of their four-game season series.

Leading Scorer: Mike Iggulden (C) - 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 52 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Dimitri Patzold (G) - 3.12 GAA, 0.897 save pct., 4-5-5-1 record in 12 GP.

Who's Hot: Devin Setoguchi (RW) - 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists) in last seven games played. Graham Mink (RW) - three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in last five games played. Marc Busenburg (D) - 3 assists and +1 rating in last four games played.

Sunday, March 2nd - 5:00 pm - Times Union Center

vs. Philadelphia Phantoms, (37-18-2-2, 78 pts)

First Place, East Division

The River Rats snapped Philadelphia's four-game winning streak by beating them 3-2 in overtime on February 16th, making Albany 2-1 against the Phantoms at the Times Union Center this year. But Philly struck back with a 2-0 shutout last Monday at the Wachovia Spectrum. The Phantoms went 2-1-0-0 in three games last week.

Leading Scorer: Jared Ross (C) - 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 48 games played.

Leading Goaltender: Brian Boucher (G) - 2.47 GAA, 0.917 save pct., 23-14-2-1 record in 42 GP.

Who's Hot: Boyd Kane (RW) - 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) and +3 rating in last five games played. Jared Ross (C) - 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) and +1 rating in last five games played. Alexandre Picard (D) - 5 assists in last five games played.

Week 21 Game Results:

2/18/08 Albany 0 @ Philadelphia 2

2/20/08 Albany 1 @ Rochester 2 - Overtime

2/22/08 Bridgeport 1 @ Albany 4

2/23/08 Lowell 1 @ Albany 2 - Overtime

2/24/08 Albany 2 @ Bridgeport 1 - Shootout (1-0)

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 21)

Michael Leighton - G - #29 3 GP, 2-0-1-0, 1.96 GAA, 0.957 Sv %, 89 saves

Michael Leighton played a huge factor in the River Rats rise in the playoff standings, helping Albany into third place in the East Division. Leighton started three of five games, earning points in all three games. Wednesday in Rochester he allowed just one goal in regulation before losing in overtime 2-1. Friday the Petrolia, Ontario native stopped 42-of-43 shots, making a season-high 20 saves in the first period, as Albany beat Bridgeport 4-1. Sunday he put on another display against Bridgeport, blocking 26-of-27 shots in 65 minutes of play, then denying all five shooters for his third shootout win of the year. The River Rats goaltender is tied for the AHL league lead in save percentage (0.929) and shutouts (5), ranks 5th in the AHL in goals-against average (2.16) and is tied for 10th in the league in wins (19).

Rat Bites:

- BIG AHL MARK - G Michael Leighton played in his 300th career Pro game and also his 250th career AHL game on Sunday in Bridgeport. Along with 50 career NHL games, Leighton has played 14,730 minutes in the AHL, posting a career record of 119-98-25, with a 2.32 goals-against average and a 0.916 save percentage.

- AN NHL FIRST - C Joe Jensen made his NHL debut on Monday for the Carolina Hurricanes playing against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Jensen has played in 62 career AHL games and played in his 100th career Pro game on Sunday in Bridgeport.

- 500 AROUND THE CORNER - LW Trevor Gillies needs one game played to record his 500th career Pro game. Gillies has played 281 career AHL games and recorded his 2,200th career Pro penalty minute on Saturday versus Lowell.

- A TRICENTENNIAL APPROACHES - Head Coach Tom Rowe is one game away from his 300th AHL game behind the bench. Rowe has tallied 299 AHL games as a head coach and will reach the milestone on Wednesday in Albany against the Binghamton Senators.

- A LOT OF OVERTIME - Albany went into overtime three times in five games this week. They have gone past regulation time in five of their last eight games, winning twice in overtime and once in a shootout, while losing one overtime game and picking up a shootout loss.

- EXTRA MILESTONES - Two River Rats players hit milestones on Monday's President's Day game in Philadelphia. LW Brandon Nolan played in his 200th career AHL game and LW Mike Angelidis reached his 100th career Pro game played. C Jamie Johnson played in his 350th career Pro game on Sunday in Bridgeport.

River Rats Recent Transactions

February 21 - ADD Casey Borer (D) - Returned on loan from Carolina (NHL). DELETE - Daniel Sparre (RW) - Released from PTO, returned to Columbia Inferno (ECHL).

February 19 - ADD - Joe Jensen (LW) - Returned on loan from Carolina (NHL).

February 18 - DELETE - Joe Jensen (LW) - Recalled from loan by Carolina (NHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Games Played: Jamie Johnson (59)

Goals: Brandon Nolan (22)

Assists: Keith Aucoin (37)

Points: Brandon Nolan (48)

Plus/Minus: Casey Borer (+11)

Penalty Minutes: Tim Conboy (189)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (12)

Short Handed Goals: Keith Aucoin, Nicolas Blanchard, Pat Dwyer (1)

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

Shots: Jerome Samson (164)

Shooting Percentage: Brandon Nolan (15.5%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (1173)

Wins: Michael Leighton (19)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.16)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.929)

East Division Standings:

EAST GP RECORD PTS

Philadelphia 59 (37-18-2-2) 78

Hershey 56 (31-19-1-5) 68

Albany 59 (31-24-1-3) 66

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 56 (31-22-0-3) 65

Bridgeport 58 (30-26-1-1) 62

Binghamton 58 (26-23-5-4) 61

Norfolk 58 (21-30-2-5) 49

The River Rats will begin another busy week of AHL action with a home game on Wednesday, February 27th against the Binghamton Senators at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center. Albany also has home games against Worcester on Saturday and Philadelphia on Sunday.

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2008


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