tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28362724578339410322024-02-08T15:32:42.465-05:00On The FlyOn The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-49787092774539872072010-09-28T14:34:00.000-04:002010-09-28T14:35:47.051-04:00New Jersey assigns 11 to Albany<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="BodyType">The New Jersey Devils assigned 11 players to the Albany Devils, thus reducing the NHL club’s training camp roster to 32.</p><p class="BodyType">Sent to Albany are forwards Patrick Davis, Stephen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gionta</span>, David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">McIntryre</span>, Brad Mills, Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sestito</span>, Michael Swift, Alexander <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Vasyunov</span>, Chad <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wiseman</span> and Vladimir <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Zharkov</span>, along with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">defensemen</span> Tyler <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Eckford</span> and Olivier <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Magnan</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Grenier</span>.</p> <p class="BodyType">The Albany Devils continue their training camp this week. After they open their preseason schedule at the Adirondack Phantoms on Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Devils will face the Phantoms again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Rensselaer</span> Polytechnic Institute’s Houston Field House.</p>On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-46157962245861935862010-08-24T18:53:00.000-04:002010-08-24T18:54:15.003-04:00Albany Devils to play games in Atlantic CityThe Albany Devils will be hitting the boardwalk this upcoming season.<br />Boardwalk Hall and the New Jersey Devils today announced that the team’s top development squad, the American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, will play four games at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. this December through February 2011. <br />Their ECHL team, the Trenton Devils, will also play one game on Atlantic City’s ice. The series is sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority and Caesars Atlantic City.<br />The series kicks off Sunday, Dec. 5 with the Albany Devils taking on the Adirondack Phantoms followed by a game Sunday, Dec. 12 pitting the Albany Devils against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. <br />On Sunday, Jan. 23, the ECHL Trenton Devils will take the ice to play the Wheeling Nailers. Friday, Feb. 4 marks the return of the Albany Devils when they face off against the Hershey Bears, and the series concludes on Sunday, Feb. 27 with the Albany Devils vs. the Norfolk Admirals.<br />Sunday games are scheduled for 4 p.m.; Friday night’s game time is at 7 p.m.<br />Tickets for the five-game Boardwalk Hall Devils series package are priced at $120 for first two rows on the glass, $95 for the lower bowl and $70 for the upper bowl, and will go on sale this Saturday at noon. Ticket prices and the on-sale date for the individual Boardwalk Hall Devils games will be announced in September. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-736-1420 or at www.ticketmaster.com. <br />Atlantic City will also host the ECAC Hockey championships next March<a name="CurPos"></a>, which moves to New Jersey after moving from Albany.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-74964485781248227302010-08-24T18:49:00.002-04:002010-08-24T18:53:22.376-04:00Adirondack to host Albany Devils in preseasonThe Albany Devils will travel to face the Adirondack Phantoms in a preseason game in Glens Falls on Friday, Oct. 1.<br />Phantoms preseason tickets go on sale Sept. 10.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-62077276492202260992010-08-10T21:27:00.000-04:002010-08-10T21:28:44.200-04:00Kowalsky named as Albany Devils coachThe Albany Devils at long last have a coach.<br />Rick Kowalsky has been named as Albany’s head coach, Albany and Trenton Devils general manager Chris Lamoriello announced on Tuesday,<br />A pair of former Albany River Rats have new assignments in the New Jersey organization as well as Tommy Albelin will serve as an assistant coach with Albany and Kevin Dean has been named as Trenton’s head coach.<br />Kowalsky is certainly no stranger to the New Jersey organization as he served as Trenton’s head coach for the past four seasons.<br />“I was happy at the ECHL level and I hadn’t pursued anything at the AHL level thus far in my career just because I liked the way things were going,” Kowalsky said. “I knew that the Devils really made me feel a part of this organization, especially after the last couple of years. Just knowing (New Jersey President, CEO and General Manager) Lou Lamoriello’s history of promoting from within, I knew this could potentially arise.”<br />The organizational moves come after New Jersey skipper Jacques Lemaire retired and John McLean was named as head coach.<br />Kowalsky becomes the seventh head coach in Albany at the AHL level, joining Robbie Ftorek (1993-94 to 1995-96; 2003-04 to 2005-06); the late John Cunniff (1996-97 to 2000-01); Bobby Carpenter (2001-02); Red Gendron (2002-03 to 2003-04); Tom Rowe (2006-07 to 2007-08) and Jeff Daniels (2008-09 to 2009-10).<br />Kowalsky takes over the coaching reigns just months after the Devils’ AHL franchise moved from Lowell, Mass.<br />New Jersey’s AHL affiliate moves back to Albany after it was housed for 13 seasons (1993-94 to 2005-06) here.<br />Last year in Lowell, the Devils reached the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since 2000.<br />Without knowing all the facts, I think there are a lot of good young prospects coming out,” Kowalsky said. “With that said, Lowell had a pretty young, exciting team last year. There are probably eight to 10 players in Albany that I had in Trenton for at least a year — some of them for a year and another small group for two years.<br />“So I have an idea what the landscape might look like in Albany, but there is still a lot I need to be informed on.”<br />Kowalsky compiled a 138-122-28 record with Trenton and was honored as the ECHL’s top coach with the John Brophy Award in 2009.<br />“Rick has been with us for four years and he brings great passion, great intensity; that was the type of player he was,” Chris Lamoriello said. “ … So developmentally he’s been through the process. He’s comfortable with us and our objective and, certainly, we are comfortable with him and his objectives.”<br />Kowalsky’s pro playing career spanned 12 seasons with six different teams in two leagues.<br />A right wing, Kowalsky played in 183 AHL games with Cornwall, Portland and Norfolk. He totaled 516 games in the ECHL with Hampton roads, Trenton and Roanoke.<br />He served as a player/assistant coach with Roanoke while generating a career-high 83 (35 goals-48 assists) points in the 2001-02 season.<br />In his last campaign as a player, he captained the Trenton Totals to the 2005 Kelly Cup championship.<br /> “He’s a coach who challenges himself as well,” Chris Lamoriello said. “He’s not only looking for the players to be better, but for himself to be better.”<br />Joining Kowalsky behind the bench in Albany is the 46-year-old Albelin, who joined New Jersey’s coaching staff as an assistant in July of 2007 following an 18-year career in the NHL.<br />A veteran of 952 regular season games with Quebec, New Jersey and Calgary, Albelin skated on the Devils’ Stanley Cup champion teams in 1995 and 2003.<br />Albelin, who appeared in nine games with the River Rats, as well as a pair of stints with the Utica Devils, went on to become just the fifth player in New Jersey franchise history to rejoin the team.<br />Dean, 41, is entering his fifth season as a coach in New Jersey’s system after serving as an assistant coach for the Lowell Devils for the past four seasons.<br />The former defenseman is a veteran of 331 NHL games with New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago, including 198 with the Devils.<br />In 1995, Dean was the only member of the New Jersey organization to win a Stanley Cup with the Devils and a Calder Cup with the Albany Riv<a name="CurPos"></a>er Rats as he served as team captain of the AHL champions.<br />Dean appeared in 146 games over the course of five seasons with Albany.<br />“Hockey is hockey and I enjoy it,” Dean said. “I love hockey and I’ll enjoy it at this level as well.”On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-38272564859500327202010-06-16T18:21:00.001-04:002010-06-16T18:24:08.003-04:00AHL, now at 30 teams, announces alignment for 2010 seasonThe American Hockey League has reached its long-term goal of 30 clubs, each serving as a primary affiliate among the National Hockey League’s 30 teams.<br />Yet here are few changes in the divisional alignment for the upcoming 2010-11 season for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AHL</span>, which serves as the top developmental league for the NHL.<br />The new Albany Devils team will skate in the Eastern Conference’s East Division, just like its predecessor, the Albany River Rats — did before it was sold and moved to Charlotte, N.C. after serving as the top farm club of the Carolina Hurricanes for the past four seasons.<br />The Devils, who return to Albany after stocking the River Rats club with players for 13 seasons (1993-94 through 2005-06), moved their franchise to the Capital District after their affiliate spent the last four <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">AHL</span> campaigns in Lowell, Mass.<br />The new Albany franchise will be joined in the eight-team East Division by Empire state foes Adirondack, Syracuse, now Anaheim’s top affiliate, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Binghamton</span>; Hershey, which recently won its second consecutive Calder Cup; Charlotte; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Norfolk.<br />With the move of the Devils to Albany, the Atlantic Division was trimmed to seven teams, which includes Springfield, now the top farm club of Columbus.<br />The Edmonton <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oilers</span>, who did house their prospects in Springfield, moved their franchise to Oklahoma City, which will compete in the Western Conference’s West Division.<br />Here are the new division alignments:<br /><br />EASTERN CONFERENCE<br />Atlantic Division<br />Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)<br />Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)<br />Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings)<br />Portland Pirates (Buffalo Sabres)<br />Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)<br />Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets)<br />Worcester Sharks (Worcester Sharks)<br />East Division<br />Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Flyers</span>)<br />Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Binghamton</span> Senators (Ottawa Senators)<br />Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes)<br />Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)<br />Norfolk Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning)<br />Syracuse Crunch (Anaheim Ducks)<br />Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)<br /><br />WESTERN CONFERENCE<br />North Division<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Abbotsford</span> Heat (Calgary Flames)<br />Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)<br />Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Canadiens</span>)<br />Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche)<br />Manitoba Moose (Vancouver <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Canucks</span>)<br />Rochester Americans (Florida Panthers)<br />Toronto <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Marlies</span> (Toronto Maple Leafs)<br />West Division<br />Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers)<br />Houston <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Aeros</span> (Minnesota Wild)<br />Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)<br />Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Oilers</span>)<br />Peoria <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Rivermen</span> (St. Louis Blues)<br />Rockford <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">IceHogs</span> (Chicago <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Blackhawks</span>)<br />San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes)<br />Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-12850083824693351942010-06-10T17:57:00.007-04:002010-06-10T18:16:04.004-04:00A Devil of a town once againIt's official --- the New Jersey Devils are back in town.<br />The Devils announced they will move their American Hockey League franchise from Lowell, Mass. to Albany for the upcoming season.<br />New Jersey, which owns its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AHL</span> team, agreed to a five-year deal with the Times Union Center.<br />The arena hosted the Devils' farm team --- the Albany River Rats for 13 seasons (1993-94 to 2005-06).<br />The new team will be called the Albany Devils and will wear sweaters with the traditional colors of red, black and white --- with the new logo an 'A' complete with Devil horns and tail.<br />The 2010-11 campaign will be the 18th consecutive season of pro hockey in downtown Albany.<br />The River Rats franchise, which was sold by owner Walter Robb, has been relocated to Charlotte, N.C., after four seasons as the Carolina Hurricanes top affiliate, where it will become the Charlotte Checkers.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-28939130296566484762010-06-10T00:01:00.003-04:002010-06-10T00:10:49.361-04:00Madden reunited with Lord StanleyJohn Madden has reached the pinnacle of hockey again.<br />The 37-year-old center won his third Stanley Cup on Wednesday night as the Chicago <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blackhawks</span> defeated the Philadelphia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Flyers</span>, 4-3 in overtime in Game 6 to claim their first Cup since 1961.<br />Madden, who spent two seasons with the Albany River Rats (1997-98 and 1998-99) won two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils in 1999-2000 and 2003-04.<br />The University of Michigan product spent 10 seasons with New Jersey and joined Chicago this season, and posted 23 (10-13) points in 79 games and contributed a goal and an assist in 21 playoff games.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-64817777521433885572010-05-13T23:56:00.004-04:002010-05-13T23:58:51.629-04:00Leighton guides Flyers into Game 7Michael Leighton is shining in his first opportunity in the Stanley Cup playoffs.<br />And the former Albany River Rats goalie has seized the moment for the Philadelphia Flyers.<br />Stepping in for the injured Brian Boucher after not having played for two months because of injury, Leighton has helped energize the Flyers’ comeback bid in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Bruins.<br />Flyers coach Peter Laviolette told Leighton: “You worked hard to get back to this. It’s your show now,” according to the Associated Press.<br />With Philadelphia trailing 3-1 in the series, Leighton got the call when Boucher left with a knee injury 4:31 into the second period of Game 5. A nine-year pro, Leighton stopped all 14 shots he faced in a 4-0 victory on Monday in his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance to preserve Boucher’s win.<br />Leighton started in Game 6 on Wednesday, making 30 saves in the Flyers’ 2-1 victory to force Game 7, which will be played tonight in Boston.<br /> “When I had to go in the last game I didn’t have time to think about it,” Leighton told the Boston Globe. “Actually, I was more nervous (Wednesday night). It took me a few minutes to get rid of the butterflies and get my feet wet.”<br />Leighton was at the center of the classic, five overtime playoff game for the Albany River Rats against the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2008 — the longest in AHL history at 142 minutes, 58 seconds.<br />He made a stunning and team-record 98 saves, but was out dueled by Scott Munroe’s 65-save effort as the Phantoms won 3-2 in Game 5 of the East Division semifinal series in Albany.<br />Leighton, an AHL All-Star that season, went onto spend the 2000-09 campaign with the Carolina Hurricanes, faring 6-7-2 in 19 appearances, then only won one of seven appearances (1-4-0, 4.29 goals against average) to open this season.<br />This season after Leighton was sent down to Albany on loan; he was placed on re-entry waivers the next day on Dec. 12 by the Carolina Hurricanes and was claimed by Philadelphia.<br />The Flyers are sure glad they did.<br />He went on to post a 16-5-2 mark in 27 games with a 2.48 GAA, including a five-game winning streak, before he was sidelined in mid-March with a sprained ankle.<br />“This team’s been through a lot, and every time we get thrown something, we just take it in stride and continue to push,” Laviolette told NHL.com. “You know, they just seem to respond to any type of adverse circumstance, whether it's the season or schedule or injury or a goaltender (or a) circumstance like (being down) 0-3. Our guys continue to push back. They won’t go away.”<br />The Flyers, just the sixth team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after being down, 0-3, is looking to become just the third team to win a series after facing that deficit along with the 1975 New York Islanders and the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.<br />“Down 3-0 is certainly not a great situation,” said Leighton, who will turn 29 on Wednesday. “But Lavy (Laviolette) said ‘Either you can give up or you can get back.’ We knew we had to take it one game at a time, but we wanted it.<br />“We knew we were a better team than losing four straight.”<br />Perhaps Philadelphia should have given Leighton a chance earlier in the postseason.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-10277374960469836162010-05-11T23:52:00.001-04:002010-05-11T23:52:53.595-04:00Devils clear another hurdle in return to Albany<a name="CurPos"></a>ALBANY — The New Jersey Devils are one step closer to returning its American Hockey League franchise to downtown Albany.<br />The Albany County Legislature approved improvements to be made to the Times Union Center, including a new video scoreboard and LED ribbon-board advertising along the lower rim of the upper deck of the arena.<br />These improvements were required by New Jersey in order to secure a deal with the TUC where it would move its AHL team from Lowell, Mass. to Albany.<br />The 17-year-old Albany River Rats franchise, which was sold by owner Walter Robb, is moving to Charlotte, N.C. to become the Charlotte Checkers for next season.<br />Albany housed the Devils’ top AHL affiliate for 13 years (1993-94 to 2005-06) and the Carolina Hurricanes farm team resided here for the past four seasons.<br />Other improvements to be made under the $1.6 million bond are: new lighting on the outside of the arena as well as new LED video boards on the basketball scoring and media tables. The bond will be paid back by SMG, which will pay the money back via its arena profits.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-33970057209453459752010-04-29T22:08:00.004-04:002010-04-29T22:48:04.008-04:00Bears finish off Rats in OT, 5-4ALBANY --- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mathieu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Perreault</span> scored the tying goal with 1:13 remaining in regulation and followed with the game winner 2:23 into overtime as the Hershey Bears rallied past the Albany River Rats, 5-4 on Thursday to sweep the East Division final series in four games.<br />The game was final contest for the River Rats franchise, which will be relocated to North Carolina to become the Charlotte Checkers for next season.<br />The reigning Calder Cup champion Bears now move on to the Eastern Conference final against either Worcester or Manchester.<br />Jerome Samson picked off an errant Hershey pass, sped in and lifted the puck past outstretched goalie Michal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Neuvirth</span> with 9:41 in regulation to stake Albany to a crucial two-goal lead at 4-2.<br />But the Bears rallied to force overtime as while on the power play, Alexandre <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Giroux</span> roofed a shot past goalie Justin Peters at 16:37 and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Perreault's</span> blast from the left point trickled past Peters at 18:47.<br />The Bears had drawn even at 2-2 only 59 seconds into the second period on Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bourque's</span> laser shot, which beat goalie Peters high stick side with only one second remaining on a Hershey power play.<br />The Rats then took advantage of a Hershey miscue to take a 3-2 lead as after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">defenseman</span> Zach <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Miskovic</span> bumped into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Neuvirth</span> to the left of the goal, Zach <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Boychuk</span> scored into the wide-open net at 10:31 of the second period.<br />Hershey struck first on Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bourque's</span> power-play goal 8:23 into the game.<br />But the Rats responded with two goals --- both set up by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Drayson</span> Bowman --- consecutive shots to take the advantage.<br />Samson scored on a Bowman rebound at 11:58 as the two forwards broke in alone and Bowman's initial shot was denied by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Neuvirth</span>.<br />Chris Terry then converted on Albany's first power play, taking Bowman's cross-ice pass and beating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Neuvirth</span> from the right <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">faceoff</span> circle at 14:58.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-64355466888837396292010-04-29T21:28:00.001-04:002010-04-29T21:28:57.214-04:00Bears, Rats tied 4-4 after regulationALBANY --- The Albany River Rats and Hershey Bears are tied 4-4 through regulation in Game 4 of the East Division final series.<br />Jerome Samson picked off an errant Hershey pass, sped in and lifted the puck past outstretched goalie Michal Neuvirth with 9:41 in regulation to stake Albany to a crucial two-goal lead at 4-2.<br />But the Bears rallied to force overtime as while on the power play, Alexandre Giroux roofed a shot past goalie Justin Peters at 16:37 and Mathieu Perreault blast from the left point trickled past Peters at 18:47.<br />Peters has stopped 33 of 37 shots faced and goalie Michal Neuvirth has 17 saves for Hershey.<br />The Bears had drawn even at 2-2 only 59 seconds into the second period on Chris Bourque's laser shot, which beat goalie Peters high stick side with only one second remaining on a Hershey power play.<br />The Rats then took advantage of a Hershey miscue to take a 3-2 lead as after defenseman Zach Miskovic bumped into Neuvirth to the left of the goal, Zach Boychuk scored into the wide-open net at 10:31 of the second period.<br />Hershey struck first on Chris Bourque's power-play goal 8:23 into the game.<br />But the Rats responded with two goals --- both set up by Drayson Bowman --- consecutive shots to take the advantage.<br />Samson scored on a Bowman rebound at 11:58 as the two forwards broke in alone and Bowman's initial shot was denied by Neuvirth.<br />Chris Terry then converted on Albany's first power play, taking Bowman's cross-ice pass and beating Neuvirth from the right faceoff circle at 14:58.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-88479826797717889832010-04-29T20:25:00.000-04:002010-04-29T20:26:19.808-04:00Albany leads Hershey, 3-2 after two periodsALBANY --- The Albany River Rats lead the Hershey Bears, 3-2 through the second period in Game 4 of the East Division final series.<br />The Bears drew even at 2-2 only 59 seconds into the second period on Chris Bourque's laser shot, which beat goalie Justin Peters high stick side with only one second remaining on a Hershey power play.<br />The Rats then took advantage of a Hershey miscue to take a 3-2 lead as after defenseman Zach Miskovic bumped into goalie Michal Neuvirth to the left of the goal, Zach Boychuk scored into the wide-open net at 10:31.<br />Peters has stopped 22 of 24 shots faced while Neuvirth has nine saves.<br />Hershey struck first on Chris Bourque's power-play goal 8:23 into the game.<br />But the Rats responded with two goals --- both set up by Drayson Bowman --- consecutive shots to take the advantage.<br />Jerome Samson scored on a Bowman rebound at 11:58 as the two forwards broke in alone and Bowman's initial shot was denied by Neuvirth.<br />Chris Terry then converted on Albany's first power play, taking Bowman's cross-ice pass and beating Neuvirth from the right faceoff circle at 14:58.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-61437053592199391902010-04-29T19:34:00.001-04:002010-04-29T19:51:18.784-04:00Rats lead Bears, 2-1 after first periodALBANY --- The Albany River Rats led the Hershey Bears, 2-1 after the first period in Game 4 of the East Division final series.<br />Hershey struck first on Chris Bourque's power-play goal 8:23 into the game.<br />But the Rats responded with two goals --- both set up by Drayson Bowman --- consecutive shots to take the advantage.<br />Jerome Samson scored on a Bowman rebound at 11:58 as the two forwards broke in alone and Bowman's initial shot was denied by goalie Michal Neuvirth.<br />Chris Terry then converted on Albany's first power play, taking Bowman's cross-ice pass and beating Neuvirth from the right faceoff circle at 14:28.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-92005674166167687542010-04-29T19:21:00.001-04:002010-04-29T19:22:35.965-04:00Rats-Bears Game 4 Pre-GameALBANY --- Facing elimination from the Calder Cup playoffs tonight, this could also be the final game in the history of the Albany River Rats franchise.<br />Down 3-0 to Hershey in the East Division final, the River Rats made several lineup changes heading into tonight's Game 4.<br />Left wing Jacob Micflikier returns after he was scratched for Game 3 and center Stefan Chaput is scratched for tonight's game.<br />With left wing Jiri Tlusty still sidelined because of injury, left wing Brad Herauf returns to the lineup for the second straight game.<br />On the blue line, Casey Borer has again been scratched and defenseman Zack FitzGerald will make his second appearance of the postseason.<br />After their loss to Montreal in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal on Wednesday, the Washington Capitals reassigned D Karl Alzner and D John Carlson to Hershey.<br />Also for Hershey, goalie Michal Neuvirth returns after sitting out Game 3 with a lower-body injury. Neuvirth won the first two games of the series before goalie Braden Holtby won Game 3 in Hershey's 6-5 overtime victory.<br />Albany scratches for Game 4: Defensemen Casey Borer, Jonathan Paiement, Kyle Lawson and Michal Jordan again sitting out, with Chaput.<br />Hershey scratches: Forwards Simon Ferguson, Michael Dubuc and Cody Eakin; and defensemen Patrick McNeill, Grant Lewis and Grant McNeill and Carlson. Defender Karl Alzner was called up by the Washington Capitals.<br />Albany goalie Justin Peters (4-3, 3.23, .900) faces Neuvirth (5-0, 2.13, .904).<br />ALBANY<br />Forwards<br />Drayson Bowman/Jacob Micflikier/Jerome Samson<br />Chris Terry/Nick Dodge/Steven Goertzen<br />Oskar Osala/Zac Dalpe/Zach Boychuk<br />Nicolas Blanchard/Mike Angelidis/Brad Herauf<br />Defensemen<br />Bryan Rodney/Jamie McBain<br />Jay Harrison/Brett Bellemore<br />Zack FitzGerald/Tim Conboy<br />HERSHEY<br />Forwards<br />Alexandre Giroux/Keith Aucoin/Andrew Gordon<br />Chris Bourque/Jay Beagle/Mathieu Perreault<br />Boyd Kane/Andrew Jourdrey/Steve Pinizzotto<br />Ashton Rome/Kyle Wilson/Francois Bouchard<br />Defensemen<br />Bryan Helmer/Patrick Wellar<br />Zach Miskovic/Sean Collins<br />Karl Alzner/John CarlsonOn The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-29153304338505916092010-04-27T23:03:00.002-04:002010-04-27T23:04:07.407-04:00Bears beat Rats in OT, take series 3-0 leadALBANY --- Center Jay Beagle knocked in a loose puck 16:14 into overtime to lift the Hershey Bears past the Albany River Rats, 6-5 in Game 3 of the East Division final.<br />The Bears take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series and can secure a berth in the Eastern Conference final with a victory in Game 4 on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Albany.<br />This is the second overtime game of the series as Hershey won Game 1, 4-3 in extra time.<br />With Albany on a five-minute power play after Hershey defenseman Bryan Helmer speared left wing Brad Herauf after time in the second period had expired, center Zac Dalpe scored 2:22 into the power play for a 4-3 Rats lead.<br />After left wing Chris Bourque scored a shorthanded goal at 3:56, center Mike Angeldis moved in on the left side and beat goalie Braden Holtby stick side to provide Albany with a 5-4 advantage.<br />The Bears drew even at 5-5 on left wing Alexandre Giroux's power-play goal at 16:14.<br />Hershey has now won eight consecutive games against Albany stretching back to the regular season.<br />The Rats scored two goals within the first five minutes of the game, including converting on their first power play of the game as Dalpe moved in on the right side and beat goalie Braden Holtby glove side at 1:55.<br />Dalpe then set up the second goal as he won the faceoff in the Hershey zone and sent the puck to Oskar Osala, who scored from in close for a 2-0 advantage at 4:13.<br />After the Bears pulled within 2-1 as right wing Ashton Rome sent a backhander past Justin Peters at 5:31, the Rats responded as right wing Drayson Bowman finished off an odd-man rush by snapping a shot over Holtby's right shoulder at 11:22 for a 3-1 lead.<br />But Hershey struck on their power play as Andrew Gordon finished off a feed from left wing Bourque at 13:58. The Bears scored on its next shot on Bourque's goal at 15:41 to pull even at 3-3.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-26078873680609286422010-04-27T20:29:00.002-04:002010-04-27T21:29:20.988-04:00Rats, Bears tied at 5-5 heading into OTALBANY --- The Albany River Rats and Hershey Bears are tied 5-5 through regulation in Game 3 of the East Division final series.<br />With Albany on a five-minute power play after Hershey defenseman Bryan Helmer speared left wing Brad Herauf after time in the second period had expired, center Zac Dalpe scored 2:29 into the power play for a 4-3 Rats lead.<br />After left wing Chris Bourque scored a shorthanded goal at 3:56, center Mike Angeldis moved in on the left side and beat goalie Braden Holtby stick side to provide Albany with a 5-4 advantage.<br />The Bears drew even at 5-5 on left wing Alexandre Giroux's power-play goal at 16:14.<br />This is the second overtime game of the series as Hershey won Game 1, 4-3 in extra time.<br />The Rats scored two goals within the first five minutes of the game, including converting on their first power play of the game as Dalpe moved in on the right side and beat goalie Braden Holtby glove side at 1:55.<br />Dalpe then set up the second goal as he won the faceoff in the Hershey zone and sent the puck to Oskar Osala, who scored from in close for a 2-0 advantage at 4:13.<br />After the Bears pulled within 2-1 as right wing Ashton Rome sent a backhander past Justin Peters at 5:31, the Rats responded as right wing Drayson Bowman finished off an odd-man rush by snapping a shot over Holtby's right shoulder at 11:22 for a 3-1 lead.<br />But Hershey struck on their power play as Andrew Gordon finished off a feed from left wing Bourque at 13:58. The Bears scored on its next shot on Bourque's goal at 15:41 to pull even at 3-3.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-18556309258521465002010-04-27T20:29:00.000-04:002010-04-27T20:30:59.860-04:00Bears rally to tie Rats, 3-3 through two periodsALBANY --- The Albany River Rats and Hershey Bears are tied at 2-2 after two periods in Game 3 of the East Division final series.<br />The Rats scored two goals within the first five minutes of the game, including converting on their first power play of the game as Zac Dalpe moved in on the right side and beat goalie Braden Holtby glove side at 1:55.<br />Dalpe then set up the second goal as he won the faceoff in the Hershey zone and sent the puck to Oskar Osala, who scored from in close for a 2-0 advantage at 4:13.<br />Albany goalie Justin Peters made seven saves, while Holtby, getting the start with Michal Neuvirth sidelined (lower-body injury), stopped 11 of 13 shots faced.<br />After the Bears pulled within 2-1 as right wing Ashton Rome sent a backhander past Peters at 5:31, the Rats responded as right wing Drayson Bowman finished off an odd-man rush by snapping a shot over Holtby's right shoulder at 11:22 for a 3-1 lead.<br />But Hershey struck on their power play as Andrew Gordon finished off a feed from left wing Chris Bourque at 13:58.<br />The Bears scored on its next shot on Bourque's goal at 15:41 to pull even at 3-3.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-69687129516682619362010-04-27T19:51:00.001-04:002010-04-27T19:51:29.280-04:00Rats lead 2-0 after first period in Game 3ALBANY --- Zac Dalpe and Oskar Osala each scored to stake the Albany River Rats to a 2-0 lead over the Hershey Bears in Game 3 of the East Division final series.<br />The Rats scored two goals within the first five minutes, including converting on their first power play of the game as Zac Dalpe moved in on the right side and beat goalie Braden Holtby glove side at 1:55.<br />Dalpe then set up the second goal as he won the faceoff in the Hershey zone and sent the puck to Osala, who scored from in close for a 2-0 advantage at 4:13.<br />Albany goalie Justin Peters made seven saves, while Holtby, getting the start with Michal Neuvirth sidelined (lower-body injury), stopped 11 of 13 shots faced.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-89717106712634203652010-04-27T19:15:00.001-04:002010-04-27T19:16:50.176-04:00Herauf, FitzGerald in Albany lineup for Game 3ALBANY --- After dropping the first two games of their East Division final series with the Hershey Bears, the Albany River Rats made several notable lineup changes for Game 3 tonight.<br />With left wing Jiri Tlusty still sidelined because of injury, left wing Brad Herauf will play for the first time in the playoffs and left wing Jacob Micflikier has been scratched.<br />On the blue line, Casey Borer has been scratched and defenseman Zack FitzGerald will make his first appearance of the postseason.<br />The most notable change for Hershey is goalie Braden Holtby will start in place of Michal Neuvirth, who won the first two games of this season.<br />Albany scratches for Game 3: Defensemen Casey Borer, Jonathan Paiement, Kyle Lawson and Michal Jordan again sitting out, along with left wing Jacob Micflikier.<br />Hershey scratches: Forwards Simon Ferguson, Michael Dubuc and Cody Eakin; and defensemen Patrick McNeill, Grant Lewis and Grant McNeill. Defender Karl Alzner was called up by the Washington Capitals.<br />Albany goalie Justin Peters (4-2, 2.92, .909) faces Braden Holtby (0-0, 0.00, .000) again.<br />ALBANY<br />Forwards<br />Jerome Samson/Stefan Chaput/Drayson Bowman<br />Chris Terry/Nick Dodge/Steven Goertzen<br />Oskar Osala/Zac Dalpe/Zach Boychuk<br />Nicolas Blanchard/Mike Angelidis/Brad Herauf<br />Defensemen<br />Bryan Rodney/Jamie McBain<br />Jay Harrison/Brett Bellemore<br />Zack FitzGerald/Tim Conboy<br />HERSHEY<br />Forwards<br />Alexandre Giroux/Keith Aucoin/Andrew Gordon<br />Chris Bourque/Jay Beagle/Mathieu Perreault<br />Boyd Kane/Andrew Jourdrey/Steve Pinizzotto<br />Ashton Rome/Kyle Wilson/Francois Bouchard<br />Defensemen<br />Bryan Helmer/Patrick Wellar<br />Zach Miskovic/Sean Collins<br />Dylan Yeo/Johann KrollOn The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-20874590492652773062010-04-25T20:13:00.004-04:002010-04-25T20:15:22.184-04:00Bears shell Rats in third to win Game 2, 6-3HERSHEY, Pa. --- This time the Albany River Rats couldn't weather the storm against the Hershey Bears.<br />Hershey scored three unanswered power-play goals in the third period, including two within a span of 46 seconds, to rally past Albany, 6-3 in Game 2 of the East Division final series on Sunday at the Giant Center.<br />The Bears will now carry a 2-0 lead into Albany for Game 3 on Tuesday at 7 p.m.<br />The night before, Albany squandered a 3-2 advantage in the third period and lost, 4-3 in overtime to Hershey.<br />The River Rats seized a 3-2 lead in Game 2 only 16 seconds into the third period on Nick Dodge's shorthanded goal as he broke in and beat goalie Michal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Neuvirth</span> from the top of the crease.<br />But the Bears responded on the man advantage as right wing Andrew Gordon slipped a backhander past Albany goalie Justin Peters at 3:34. Then only six seconds into another power play with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">defenseman</span> Jamie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">McBain</span> off for roughing, left wing Alexandre <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Giroux</span> fired in a Keith <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aucoin</span> rebound into the wide open right side of the Rats net at 4:10 for a 4-3 Hershey advantage.<br />Then with Peters off for interference, Gordon cranked in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Giroux's</span> feed from behind the net at 9:56.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Neuvirth</span> made 18 saves to remain unbeaten in the playoffs (5-0). Peters stopped 22 of 27 shots faced.<br />Hershey struck first in the game as right wing Ashton Rome one-timed a feed from behind the net from center Kyle Wilson 10:48 into the first period.<br />Rookie winger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Drayson</span> Bowman drew Albany even by sending a backhander past goalie Michal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Neuvirth</span> at 15:37 for his second goal of the playoffs.<br />Rookie center <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Zac</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Dalpe</span> scored just six seconds into an Albany power play by redirecting a drive from the left point by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">defenseman</span> Bryan Rodney with left wing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Oskar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Osala</span> in front on a screen at 3:35.<br />The Bears got even at 2-2 as Alexandre <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Giroux</span> knocked in a rebound at 5:15.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-33801160704996110522010-04-25T18:27:00.002-04:002010-04-25T18:27:52.984-04:00Albany, Hershey tied at 2-2 after two periodsHERSHEY, Pa. --- The Albany River Rats are tied with the Hershey Bears, 2-2 through two periods of Game 2 of the East Division final in the American Hockey League.<br />Rookie center Zac Dalpe scored just six seconds into an Albany power play by redirecting a drive from the left point by defenseman Bryan Rodney with left wing Oskar Osala in front on a screen at 3:35.<br />The Bears got even at 2-2 as Alexandre Giroux knocked in a rebound at 5:15.<br />Hershey struck first in the game as right wing Ashton Rome one-timed a feed from behind the net from center Kyle Wilson 10:48 into the first period.<br />Rookie winger Drayson Bowman drew Albany even by sending a backhander past goalie Michal Neuvirth at 15:37 for his second goal of the playoffs.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-39001085028624892052010-04-25T17:35:00.001-04:002010-04-25T17:35:45.556-04:00Rats, Bears tied at 1-1 after first periodHERSHEY, Pa. --- The Albany River Rats are tied with the Hershey Bears, 1-1 after the first period of Game 2 of the East Division final in the American Hockey League.<br />Hershey struck first as right wing Ashton Rome one-timed a feed from behind the net from center Kyle Wilson 10:48 into the game.<br />Rookie winger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Drayson</span> Bowman drew Albany even by sending a backhander past goalie Michal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Neuvirth</span> at 15:37 for his second goal of the playoffs.<br />Rats goalie Justin Peters stopped nine of 10 shots faced and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Neuvirth</span> made seven stops in the period.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-79613832239062422712010-04-25T16:52:00.002-04:002010-04-25T17:22:09.739-04:00Chaput returns to Rats lineup for Game 2HERSHEY, Pa. --- River Rats center Stefan Chaput returned to action just in time for Game 2 of the East Division final series against the Hershey Bears.<br />Chaput is back in the lineup after left wing Jiri Tlusty left with an injury in the first period of Game.<br />After missing the final five games of the regular season, Chaput sat out the first five Calder Cup playoff games as well.<br />As they enter Game 2, the River Rats have truly been living on the edge of late, but its nothing new for the club.<br />Dating back to the regular season, nine consecutive games have been decided by one goal or by one goal plus an empty-net tally.<br />Albany is 6-3 over this stretch, including 4-1 in the playoffs, but looks to get even today against the Hershey Bears in Game 2 of the East Division final at 5 p.m.<br />With the Bears' 4-3 comeback victory in overtime on Saturday the Rats lost for the first time in the postseason this year.<br />Just like in Game 1, Albany will look to defy history as it has won only one of six playoffs series in which it lost the opening game.<br />Yet the Rats can take solace in the fact that in their only other previous playoff series against Hershey, the Bears won first game, with the Rats prevailing in Game 2 in Pennsylvania.<br />After tonight, the series shifts back to Albany for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Thursday, both at 7 p.m.<br />Albany scratches for Game 1: Defensemen Zack Fitzgerald, Jonathan Paiement, Kyle Lawson and Michal Jordan again sitting out, along with left wing Brad Herauf.<br />Hershey scratches: Forwards Simon Ferguson, Michael Dubuc, Anton Gustafsson and Cody Eakin; and defensemen Patrick McNeill, Grant Lewis and Grant McNeill.<br />Albany goalie Justin Peters (4-1, 2.51, .924) faces Michal Neuvirth (4-0, 1.92, .915) again.<br />ALBANY<br />Forwards<br />Jerome Samson/Stefan Chaput/Zach Boychuk<br />Chris Terry/Nick Dodge/Steven Goertzen<br />Oskar Osala/Mike Angelidis/Drayson Bowman<br />Nicolas Blanchard/Zac Dalpe/Jacob Micflikier<br />Defensemen<br />Bryan Rodney/Jamie McBain<br />Jay Harrison/Brett Bellemore<br />Casey Borer/Tim Conboy<br />HERSHEY<br />Forwards<br />Alexandre Giroux/Keith Aucoin/Andrew Gordon<br />Chris Bourque/Jay Beagle/Mathieu Perreault<br />Boyd Kane/Andrew Jourdrey/Steve Pinizzotto<br />Ashton Rome/Kyle Wilson/Francois Bouchard<br />Defensemen<br />Bryan Helmer/Dylan Yeo<br />Zach Miskovic/Karl Alzner<br />Patrick Wellar/Johann KrollOn The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-81135194847210892582010-04-24T22:32:00.000-04:002010-04-24T23:54:58.401-04:00Bears rally past Rats to win in OT, 4-3HERSHEY, Pa. --- The Albany River Rats continue to live dangerously and it caught up to them in the opening game of the East Division semifinal series.<br />Center Kyle Wilson scored on a rebound midway through overtime as Hershey rallied past Albany, 4-3 on Saturday night before a spirited crowd of 7,651 at the Giant Center.<br />Right wing Jerome Samson provided the Rats with a 3-2 advantage with a goal at 7:13 of the third period, but the Bears drew even as former Albany captain Keith <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aucoin</span> finished off a pass from behind the net from Andrew Gordon at 13:16 to beat goalie Justin Peters.<br />Wilson followed with the game winner by converting on a rebound at 10:41 of overtime.<br />Gordon each finished with two goals and an assist for reigning Calder Cup champion Hershey and Samson scored twice for Albany.<br />Goalie Michal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Neuvirth</span> made 25 saves to remain unbeaten in the playoffs.<br />Peters stopped 44 of 48 shots faced to suffer his first loss in five starts in the postseason.<br />Hershey hosts Game 2 today at 5 and then the series shifts to Albany for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Thursday, both at 7 p.m.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836272457833941032.post-89992842470707231602010-04-24T21:38:00.001-04:002010-04-24T21:38:47.520-04:00Rats, Bears tied 3-3, headed to overtimeHERSHEY, Pa. --- The Albany River Rats and Hershey Bears are tied 3-3 and headed to overtime in Game 1 of their East Division final series.<br />Jerome Samson scored the go-ahead goal on a long-range drive from just inside the left faceoff circle to beat goalie Michal Neuvirth 7:13 into the third period.<br />It was the second goal of the night for Samson and former Rat Keith Aucoin followed with the tying goal by firing in a rebound at 13:16.<br />Albany was out shot 37-25 in regulation, including 16-4 in the third stanza.On The Flyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676702631547278002noreply@blogger.com0