Sunday, February 28, 2010

Portland holds off River Rats

Foiling a comeback bid, the Portland Pirates got even with the Albany River Rats on Sunday.
Two days after losing at home to the River Rats, Portland rode left wing Derek Whitmore’s two goals to defeat Albany, 4-2 in an American Hockey League game at Cumberland County Civic Center.
On Friday night, the Rats downed the Pirates by the identical score. This time, Atlantic Division-leader Portland (35-18-5-3) scored the game’s first three goals in the second period to take control and then held off Albany (32-24-3-3) in the third.
After right wing Kyle Rank scored 2:55 into the middle period, left wing Brad Larsen followed with a goal at 5:06. Whitmore scored a power-play goal at 18:44 to build a 3-0 advantage.
Right wing Jerome Samson sparked Albany’s comeback bid with his team-leading 27th goal 31 seconds into the third period and Chris Terry tallied at 13:44 to pull the Rats within 3-2. Whitmore followed with a goal at 15:22 for the final margin.
Goalie J.P. Lamoureux made 28 saves to earn the win for Portland, which split the season series with Albany at 2-2-0-0.
Mike Morrison, who got the start after Justin Peters was recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, stopped 18 of 22 shots faced for Albany.
The Rats return to host the Binghamton Senators on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Albany’s first morning AHL game.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Albany turns on the power against Manchester

The Albany River Rats turned on the power against the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday night.
The River Rats scored three power-play goals, including two within a span of 13 seconds in the third period and goalie Justin Peters made 26 saves as Albany downed Manchester, 5-2 in an American Hockey League game at Verizon Wireless Arena.
Left wing Chris Terry and defenseman Bryan Rodney each registered three assists for Albany (32-23-3-3), which has won both games on its road trip.
After Manchester (33-22-2-5) drew even at two on right wing Geoff Walker’s goal at 4:48 of the third period, the Rats struck for a pair of man-advantage goals to take control.
Terry set up left wing Drayson Bowman’s goal at 8:40 and still on the power play, Zach Boychuk scored at 8:53 to stake Albany to a 4-2 advantage.
Left wing Nicolas Blanchard added an empty-net goal at 19:57.
The Rats scored three power-play goals on six opportunities, while only allowing one man-advantage goal by Manchester from six chances.
Albany seized a 2-0 lead in the first period as center Nick Dodge scored 13:16 into the game and left wing Jacob Micflikier followed with a power-play goal at 19:46.
Terry and Rodney assisted on both goals in the opening period.
Monarchs defenseman David Kolomatis trimmed Albany’s lead to 2-1 with a power-play goal at 17:46 of the second period.
Goalie Jeff Zatkoff made 30 saves for Manchester.
Albany, which won 4-2 at Portland on Friday night, returns to play in Portland again today at 4.
The Rats return home to host the Binghamton Senators on Tuesday at 11 a.m. — Albany’s first ever morning AHL game.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Herauf lifts Rats past Pirates

The River Rats turned to a new source of scoring on Friday night.
Brad Herauf broke a 2-2 tie midway through the third period and Chris Terry added an empty-net goal to spark Albany to a 4-2 triumph over the Portland Pirates on Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
The game winner was just the fourth goal of the season for Herauf, a regular on the Rats’ checking line.
Drayson Bowman and Matthew Pistilli also scored for the River Rats (31-23-3-3) and Jacob Micflikier chipped in with two assists as Albany (31-23-3-3) snapped Portland’s eight-game home winning streak.
Goalie Justin Peters made 26 saves to earn the win. Jhonas Enroth stopped 22 of 235 shots faced for Portland (33-18-5-3).
The River Rats return to action tonight in Manchester at 7 and returns to play at Portland again on Sunday.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Samson reassigned to Carolina

Right wing Jerome Samson's latest stay with Carolina proved to be a short one.
Samson was reassigned by the Hurricanes to Albany on Sunday.
Summoned by Carolina on Friday for his second NHL recall, Samson played in a 4-0 loss to Phoenix on Saturday, logging 10:17 of ice time.
The third-year pro has recorded one assist in six games with the Hurricanes this season.
Samson leads Albany and is tied for third in the American Hockey League in goals (32) and is tied for seventh in the circuit with a team-leading 62 points.

Samson recalled by Carolina

Right wing Jerome Samson was recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes from the Albany River Rats on Saturday.
This is the second NHL recall for the 22-year-old Samson, who recorded one point in five games with Carolina, including an assist in his NHL debut with Carolina on Jan. 7 at Nashville.
Samson ranks third in the American Hockey League in goals (32) and seventh in points with 62.
The third-year pro will be available for tonight's game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Carolina.

Samson recalled by Carolina

Right wing Jerome Samson was recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes from the Albany River Rats on Saturday.
This is the second NHL recall for the 22-year-old Samson, who recorded one point in five games with Carolina, including an assist in his NHL debut with Carolina on Jan. 7 at Nashville.
Samson ranks third in the American Hockey League in goals (32) and seventh in points with 62.
The third-year pro will be available for tonight's game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Carolina.

River Rats edge Phantoms to clinch 'Cup'

The Albany River Rats continued their dominance of the Adirondack Phantoms on Saturday.
Jerome Samson scored the game winner with a goal and an assist, setting up rookie center Zach Boychuk's goal, and goalie Justin Peters made 30 saves as Albany out lasted Adirondack, 2-1 in an American Hockey League game.
With the victory, the River Rats have won seven of the nine meetings (7-1-1-0) with the Phantoms in the 12-game season series clinch the Time Warner Cable Cup outright.
Peters stopped all 11 shots he faced in the third period for Albany (30-22-3-3), including nine saves during a pair of Adirondack (26-26-2-2) power plays in the final 10 minutes, to record his 20th win, a career season-high for the fourth-year pro.
Boychuk opened the scoring by finishing off a feed from Samson 10:19 into the first period, with center Stefan Chaput also assisting.
After right wing David Laliberte evened the score at one by stuffing the puck past Peters at 2:39 of the second period, Samson collected the puck in behind the goal and swept a shot past goalie John Grahame at 4:39 for the deciding goal.
Samson has posted 12 (4 goals-8 assists) in nine games against the Phantoms this season, while Chaput has registered 7 (1-6) points and Boychuk six (5-1) against their North Country rival. Samson and Chaput both have two game-winning goals versus Adirondack.
Grahame finished with 22 saves in dropping his third decision in as many decisions against the Rats this season.
The Rats play at Hershey today at 5, while Adirondack travels to Montreal to face the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Bell Centre at 1.
The Northway rivalry resumes on Wednesday, March 24 when Albany travels to face Adirondack at 7 p.m.

Streaking Portland steals one from Rats

The River Rats found an unusual way to lose on Friday night.
The Portland Pirates rallied with two unassisted goals in the third period, with the deciding goal coming in the final two minutes of regulation as defenseman Joe DiPenta scored from his own blue line to down Albany, 3-2 to stretch their winning streak in the American Hockey League to 10 games.
The Pirates overcame a pair of one-goal deficits, including the tying goal 2:17 into the third period as left wing Brad Larsen was credited with the tally after the puck was knocked in by Albany center Stefan Chaput.
Events turned even more bizarre as with Portland defenseman Mike Weber off for boarding, Albany goalie Justin Peters ranged out of his crease and fired the puck up ice and off the boards.
DiPenta collected the puck in and fired from the Pirates blue line — and with Peters scrambling to return to his net, the puck carried into the open goal for the game winner with 1:21 left.
Goalie Jhonas Enroth made 28 saves to record his ninth consecutive win for Portland (31-16-5-2). Peters finished with 25 saves.
Nicolas Blanchard and Jerome Samson scored for Albany (29-22-3-3), with Samson tallying at 9:41 to provide the Rats with a 2-1 advantage with his team-leading and career season-best 23rd goal.
The Rats lost left wing Jiri Tlusty to injury as he drew a kneeing penalty committed by defenseman T.J. Brennan 2:28 into the second period and did not return.
Albany hosts Adirondack at 5 today and completes its weekend at Hershey on Sunday, also at 5.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Defense sparks Rats past Norfolk

ALBANY — In a meeting of two defense-oriented teams, the Albany River Rats got defensive against Norfolk on Monday.
The River Rats held the Admirals to 23 shots, defenseman Bryan Rodney scored the game winner midway though the third period and rookie defender Jamie McBain assisted on both goals as Albany trimmed Norfolk, 2-1 in a meeting of East Division foes in the American Hockey League.
Goalie Justin Peters made 22 saves to earn the win after he was reassigned to the Rats by Carolina. The fourth-year netminder won both of his first two NHL career starts in his last recall, including a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
After Norfolk seized a 1-0 lead on Mark Parrish’s goal 4:16 into the second period, rookie left wing Drayson Bowman swept in a rebound of a McBain drive from the left point to draw Albany even at one at 7:43.
McBain also assisted on the deciding goal as left wing Jiri Tlusty sent a cross-ice pass to Rodney, who beat rookie goalie Dustin Tokarski (29 saves) with a one-timer at 9:11 of the third period for the second-place Rats (29-20-3-3), who expanded their lead over third-place Norfolk (27-25-3-1) in the division to six (64-58).
Albany continues its stretch of five games in seven days with a Wednesday night game at Binghamton (7:05 p.m.) and returns home to host Portland on Friday at 7 p.m. and Adirondack on Saturday at 5 p.m. before concluding the week at Hershey on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Carolina sends down trio to Rats

ALBANY — Goalie Justin Peters, center Zach Boychuk and right wing Steven Goertzen have been reassigned to the Albany River Rats by the Carolina Hurricanes.
With the Olympic break starting Monday and running through Sunday, Oct. 28, all three players were sent down to Albany.
Peters won both of his starts for the Hurricanes over the course of a week, including his NHL debut — a 34-save effort in a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday, Feb. 7— and made 23 saves in Carolina’s 5-2 win over New Jersey on Saturday night.
Boychuk, a rookie forward, scored his first NHL goal on Saturday and has posted four (1-3) points in 12 games with the Hurricanes this season.
In his first NHL recall with Carolina, Goertzen appeared in seven games and averaged 7:44 of ice time.

Peters wins again for Carolina, Boychuk scores first NHL goal

Justin Peters continues to enjoy his stay with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The goalie made 23 saves to earn his second NHL win in as many starts in Carolina’s 5-2 victory over New Jersey on Saturday night.
Peters received offensive support from a trio of former River Rats, as rookie center Zach Boychuk scored his first NHL goal 16:47 into the game, with right wing Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brett Carson assisting on the goal.
Peters, a four-year pro, has allowed three goals in two games with Carolina and sports a 1.51 goals against average with .950 save percentage.
The 20-year-old Boychuk, on his fifth NHL recall after he was summoned by the Hurricanes on Friday, now has tallied four (1-3) points 12 games with Carolina this season.

Rats turn on the power vs. Sens

ALBANY — The River Rats broke out in record-setting fashion on Saturday night.
Albany scored a franchise-record five power-play goals — including two from left wing Jiri Tlusty and rookie goalie Mike Murphy made 27 saves in a 7-0 pasting of Binghamton in an American Hockey League encounter.
The seven-goal margin of victory also equaled a franchise record achieved four previous times (most recently in an 8-1 victory at Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2008).
Albany converted on its first four power plays and cashed in on five of seven man advantages on the night.
Right wing Harrison Reed and Tlusty each scored a power-play goal within a span of 2:03 in the first period, with Tlusty’s goal coming at 9:03.
After killing off a double minor to open the second period, right wing Jerome Samson scored his team-leading 21st goal, on the power play at 4:00, and Tlusty followed with his second power-play tally at 5:28.
Left wing Nicolas Blanchard and center Mike Angelidis also scored in the second period and center Nick Dodge followed with the team’s record-setting fifth power-play goal at 15:19 of the third.
Murphy made 17 saves over the final two periods to preserve his second career shutout.
Left wing Chris Terry and defenseman Bryan Rodney each registered two assists for Albany (28-20-3-3), which won its first game against Binghamton (21-24-3-2) in five meetings this season.
The Rats will host Norfolk on Monday at 5 p.m. in a Presidents Day matinee.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Boychuk recalled by 'Canes again

Zach Boychuk is back with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The rookie center was recalled for the fifth time by the NHL club following Albany’s 5-2 loss to Hershey on Friday night and may play in Carolina’s game tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
The 20-year-old Boychuk has registered three assists in 11 games with the Hurricanes this season.
He is tied for second in Albany scoring (27 points) with defenseman Jamie McBain and is third in goals (12).

Friday, February 12, 2010

Bears top Rats to run streak to 11

ALBANY — While the River Rats made this meeting more respectable, the league-leading Hershey Bears continued their recent mastery of their East Division rival.
Andrew Gordon scored two goals and assisted on another and goalie Jason Bacashihua made 35 saves as Hershey turned back Albany, 5-2 on Friday night to extend its winning streak to 11 games.
The Rats made a rally bid as left wing Jiri Tlusty and right wing Jerome Samson each scored within a span of 1:37 to draw within 3-2 at 12:50 of the third period.
But Gordon followed with the back-breaking goal, set up by ex-Rat Bryan Helmer.
Goalie Jason Bacashihua made 35 saves to record the win for Hershey (40-9-0-2), which has lost only once in the past 24 games (23-1-0-0) since suffering a 3-0 loss at Albany (27-20-3-3) on Dec. 4.
The Bears, who are running away with the East Division lead with a league-best 82 points, have won the past three games against the Rats by a combined 23-9 mark.
Goalie Mike Morrison made 27 saves in his first start for the Rats, who played their first home game since the official announcement on Wednesday that the Albany franchise had been sold and will be relocated to Charlotte, N.C. after this season.
The Rats continue their three-game homestand against East Division opponents by hosting Binghamton tonight at 7 and take on Norfolk on Monday in a matinee at 5.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Binghamton tops Rats again

The River Rats struggles in the Southern Tier continued on Wednesday night.
Despite rallying from a three-goal deficit early in the second period, Binghamton prevailed in a shootout, 4-3 on Wednesday at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Senators built a 3-0 lead on a goal each from Josh Hennessy, Ryan Keller and Brian Lee — with Lee’s goal chasing rookie goalie Mike Murphy (14 shots-11 saves).
Drayson Bowman sparked Albany’s comeback bid with a goal just 47 seconds later and Jiri Tlusty and Dodge each scored in the third period, as Dodge pulled the Rats even at three with an unassisted tally at 13:24.
Binghamton outscored Albany, 3-1 in the shootout as Kaspars Daugavins, Keller and Hennessy scored in the first three rounds and Bowman scored the lone Rats goal in the shootout.
Goalie Mike Brodeur made 38 saves to earn the win and Mike Morrison, who stopped all 22 shots he faced before the shootout, was dealt the loss in his first decision with Albany, which has lost four of its past five games.
Although earning one standings point, Albany (27-19-3-3) has lost all four games against the last-place Senators (21-23-3-1) this season, including three in Binghamton.
The Rats host the Senators on Saturday night at 7 after hosting Hershey on Friday night at 7.

River Rats officially sold, but there may be a silver lining for local fans

ALBANY — The Albany River Rats made it official on Wednesday — the American Hockey League franchise has been sold by owner Walter L. Robb to MAK Hockey, LLC, which will relocate the team to Charlotte, N.C. for next season.
The franchise is in its 20th season in the Capital District — located the past the past 17 seasons in Albany as the River Rats (1993-94 to 2009-10) and three in Troy as the Capital District Islanders (1990-91 to 1992-93).
Yet there may be a silver lining for area hockey fans who crave AHL hockey.
Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber said Wednesday “I’m happy to say that we’re very close to a potential deal with two different (ownership) groups.”
There were negotiations on Tuesday with a suitor “that would just move the franchise from their existing city and bring their NHL affiliate with them. The second scenario would be a local owner that would buy a franchise that would be available to purchase from an existing city and then affiliate with an AHL partner.”
Based on confidentiality with potential buyers, Belber didn’t say which NHL team is currently in negotiations or mention other possible teams — but did say “The two AHL franchises that would potentially be available to come here are currently playing in the Northeast and they are affiliated with NHL teams that are home based in the Northeast.”
Potential NHL affiliates based in the Northeast include the New York Rangers, the New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Boychuk reassigned to Rats

Zach Boychuk is back with the River Rats.
The rookie forward was reassigned by Carolina to Albany on Sunday after registering a pair of assists in two games this weekend for the Hurricanes.
The 20-year-old Boychuk posted an assist in each game — one in a 4-3 victory over Buffalo on Friday — and another on ex-Rat Pat Dwyer’s eventual game winner in the second period as Carolina defeated the New York Islanders, 3-1 on Saturday to help provide former Rats goalie Justin Peters with the win in his first NHL start.
Boychuk has recorded three assists in 11 games with the Hurricanes this season.
He stands second in Albany scoring with 27 points and ranks second in goals (12).

Bowman lifts Rats in OT

ALBANY — The River Rats edged out the Springfield Falcons on Saturday in an old-fashioned shootout.
Albany squandered a two-goal lead in the first period and a three-goal advantage in the third, but rookie left wing Drayson Bowman scored 2:16 into overtime to lift the Rats past the Falcons, 7-6.
Right wing Jerome Samson and left wing Jacob Micflikier each scored back-to-back goals to spark Albany (27-19-3-2).
Rookie goalie Mike Murphy made 39 saves, including three in overtime, to earn the win.
Samson scored twice in the opening minute, 46 seconds into the game and then at the 1:00 mark.
Springfield (17-27-9-2) responded with three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead 8:27 into the second period.
The Rats answered with a four-goal run — sparked by two goals from Micflikier within a span of 1:06 in the middle period, scoring at 12:09 and then again with a power-play goal at 13:15.
Left wing Milan Gajic, recalled earlier in the day from Florida of the ECHL and in his Rats’ debut, scored 6:19 into the third period to build a 6-3 Albany lead.
But the Falcons rebounded with another three-goal run, capped by two consecutive goals from left wing Liam Maddox, who scored at 10:35 and followed with the tying goal with 3.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
Bowman followed with his game winner on the Rats lone shot in overtime, lifting the puck over goalie Devan Dubnyk’s shoulder, beating the goalie short side.
Defenseman Jamie McBain recorded three assists for Albany and defenseman Casey Borer finished as a plus-4 with an assist.
Earlier in the day, goalie Mike Morrison was recalled by Albany from Utah of the ECHL after goalie Tyler Sims was released from his PTO.
After the game, Albany coach Jeff Daniels announced center Rob Hennigar (hand injury) is out for the season and will undergo surgery. Daniels had no timeline for the return of defenseman Tim Conboy, injured in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to Syracuse.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Peters wins in NHL debut

In his first NHL start, goalie Justin Peters was victorious in Carolina’s 3-1 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old Peters, in his fourth pro season, stopped 34 of 35 shots faced to out duel Rick DiPietro (22 saves) to stymie the Islanders.
This is the fifth NHL recall of Peters’ career and his second this season.
A trio of ex-Rats helped Peters’ cause by combining on the game winner as Pat Dwyer scored at 15:36 of the second period and the goal was assisted by Brandon Sutter and Zach Boychuk.

Senators outlast Rats

BINGHAMTON — Left wing Jiri Tlusty made an immediate impact in his return to the River Rats.
The talented forward scored 22 seconds into the game, but Binghamton reeled off three consecutive goals en route to posting a 4-3 American Hockey League triumph at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Center Denis Hamel scored twice and right wing Ryan Keller contributed a goal and two assists for Binghamton (20-22-3-1), which snapped a four-game losing skid and dealt Albany (26-19-3-2) its third straight loss.
Tlusty, assigned to the River Rats by Carolina on Thursday, struck first with a goal which was set up by left wing Jacob Micflikier.
Hamel drew Binghamton even at 1-1 at 8:11 and teammate and defenseman Craig Schira tallied at 17:51 for a 2-1 advantage.
After a scoreless second period, Keller scored 27 seconds into the third to provide Binghamton with a two-goal lead.
Left wing Nicolas Blanchard scored a power-play goal at 9:40 to pull Albany within 3-2, but Hamel followed with his second goal at 12:38.
Rats defenseman Jamie McBain scored unassisted at 13:21 for the final margin.
Goalie Mike Brodeur made 27 saves to earn the win for Binghamton, which has won all three meetings against the Rats this season.
Rookie netminder Mike Murphy stopped 34 of 38 shots faced for Albany.
Murphy got the start after goalie Justin Peters was recalled along with rookie center Zach Boychuk by the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the day.
Netminder Tyler Sims was signed to a professional tryout and backed up Murphy.
Micflikier and left wing Chris Terry each recorded two assists for the Rats.
Albany, which hosts Springfield today in a matinee at 5, returns to Binghamton on Wednesday in a 7:05 start.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Peters, Boychuk recalled by 'Canes

The Carolina Hurricanes recalled goalie Justin Peters and rookie center Zach Boychuk from the Albany River Rats on Friday.
Albany also announced goalie Tyler Sims has been signed to a professional tryout.
This is the fifth NHL recall for the 23-year-old Peters and his second this season and the goalie has yet to see game action at this level. Peters, who represented Albany in the AHL All-Star Classic, is 18-13-2 this season with a 2.55 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.
Boychuk is on his fourth NHL recall this season with the Hurricanes and has tallied one assist in nine games this season with Carolina.
The 20-year-old Boychuk ranks second in goals (12) and points (27) in 41 games with Albany this season.
Sims, 24, has posted a 0-3-1 record with a 2.47 GAA and a .908 save percentage in six games with Elmira of the ECHL this season.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Murphy to return to lineup

ALBANY — Goalie Mike Morrison was reassigned to the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, signifying rookie netminder Mike Murphy is set to return to the Albany River Rats lineup.
Murphy was sidelined for eight games after he suffered a hip injury in a 10-4 loss at Hershey on Jan. 15.
The first-year pro has won four of his past five starts and will likely backup goalie Justin Peters this week as Albany plays at Binghamton at 7 tonight and hosts Springfield on Saturday afternoon at 5.
Morrison was recalled in Murphy’s absence and backed up Peters for the past eight games.

Tlusty back with River Rats

ALBANY — Left wing Jiri Tlusty was reassigned to the River Rats by the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
The 21-year-old Tlusty, originally assigned to Albany after he was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to Carolina on Dec. 3, has appeared in only four games with the Rats since.
Albany plays at Binghamton at 7:05 tonight and hosts Springfield on Saturday in a 5 p.m. matinee.
After one game with Albany, the Czech native was recalled by the Hurricanes on Dec. 11 and was reassigned to the Rats two days later.
Then after skating in three games with Albany (Dec. 27-Dec. 31), Tlusty was again recalled by the Hurricanes on New Year’s Day.
Coming off his fourth NHL recall this season, Tlusty has totaled six (1-5) points in 20 games this season with Carolina and Toronto, including 18 games with the Hurricanes.Through 23 games this season with the Toronto Marlies and Albany, Tlusty has posted all 15 (8-7) points with Toronto

Syracuse powers past Albany

ALBANY — The Syracuse Crunch won the special teams battle against the Albany River Rats in the latest meeting of the East Division rivals.
Both teams were awarded nine power plays, but Syracuse scored three man-advantage goals to down Albany, 5-3 on Wednesday night in an American Hockey League tussle at Times Union Center.
Tomas Kana, Derek MacKenzie and Michael Blunden each scored power-play goals for the Crunch.
Jacob Micflikier opened the scoring with a power-play goal 1:51 into the game for the River Rats, but Albany didn’t convert on its next eight power plays.
The Rats also couldn’t cash in on nearly 12 minutes of power play time in the second period, including two minutes of 5-on-3 man-advantage time.
After Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman scored the go-ahead goal at 16:00 of the second period for a 3-2 Syracuse lead, MacKenzie and Blunden followed with a power-play goal each in the third period to take control.
The Rats drew within 5-3 on Nicolas Blanchard’s goal at 15:56 and nearly pulled to within one as defenseman Bryan Rodney apparently scored on a long-range drive from within Albany’s blue line, but the goal was waved off on an offsides call.
Goalie Kevin Lalande made 38 saves for Syracuse (20-23-3-3), which won its fourth consecutive game.
Justin Peters stopped 28 of 33 shots faced for Albany (26-18-3-2), which dropped its second straight decision. Right wing Jerome Samson scored his team-leading 17th goal for the Rats and defenseman Jamie McBain contributed two assists.
The Rats lost Tim Conboy, who left the game after he was cut above his right eye during a fight with left wing Kevin Harvey 12:17 into the second period. The scuffle came after Conboy’s hit on center Derek MacKenzie and the defenseman was assessed a boarding penalty.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Goertzen recalled by 'Canes

Right wing Steven Goertzen was recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
This is the first promotion to Carolina for the 25-year-old Goertzen, who is in his first season with the Hurricanes’ organization.
A seven-year-pro, Goertzen has tallied 13 (six goals-seven assists) in 45 games with Albany, including two goals over the past three games.
Goertzen has appeared in 62 NHL games with Columbus and Phoenix, most recently 16 games with the Coyotes last season.