WILKES-BARRE, Pa. --- History sure appears to be on the side of the Albany River Rats entering tonight's Game 4 of their East Division semifinal series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
On the strength of their 2-1 victory on Sunday, the River Rats carry a commanding 3-0 into tonight at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
In the franchise's 17 years in Albany, the River Rats have never lost a series after winning the first three games --- going 5-0 in the process. They're also 4-1 all-time in games in which they can complete a series sweep.
The Rats will be gunning for their first playoff series triumph since 1998 --- which was also the last time Albany swept a series (4-0 against the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Empire Division final to reach the Western Conference final).
Conversely, the Penguins are not only in danger of losing a first-round playoffs for the first time --- Wilkes-Barre has never been swept in a playoff series, either.
Albany scratches from Game 4 are: Defensemen Zack Fitzgerald, Jonathan Paiement, Kyle Lawson and Michal Jordan again sitting out, along with left wing Brad Herauf. Center Stefan Chaput skated this morning, but had shed his yellow (non-contact) jersey and is closer to returning to the lineup.
Goalie Justin Peters (3-0, 2.00 GAA) squares off against John Curry (0-2, 2.57) again.
ALBANY
Forwards
Jerome Samson/Mike Angelidis/Zach Boychuk
Chris Terry/Nick Dodge/Steven Goertzen
Oskar Osala/Jiri Tlusty/Jacob Micflikier
Nicolas Blanchard/Zac Dalpe/Drayson Bowman
Defensemen
Bryan Rodney/Jamie McBain
Jay Harrison/Brett Bellemore
Casey Borer/Tim Conboy
WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON
Forwards
Dustin Jeffrey/Mark Letestu/Nick Johnson
Tim Wallace/Wyatt Smith/Chris Conner
Joe Vitale/Eric Tangradi/Konstantin Pushkarev
Wade Brookbank/Mark Sill/Jesse Boulerice
Defensemen
Alex Grant/Brian Strait
Robert Bortuzzo/Chris Lee
Deryk Engelland/Steve Wagner