Chris Minard had seven goals in 37 games for the Albany River Rats, then a New Jersey Devils affiliate, during the 2005-06 season.
Tonight, the former Albany winger scored twice in regulation and had the only shootout goal Springfield would need in a 4-3 victory. Minard leads the Falcons with nine goals in 11 games, including five in the last two and seven in the last five.
"He's been excellent," Springfield head coach Rob Daum said. "Obviously, he's been scoring. He's been a real key to our power play. He finds ways to get open and we've been able to get him the puck, and he shoots it a ton."
Minard's linemate, Charles Linglet, assisted on both his goals, giving him two assists in each of the past two games and 10 in 11 games on the season.
"It's just a credit to my teammates, knowing how I play and how they play," Minard said. "I played with Linglet before in the East Coast League up in Alaska, so we have some chemistry together. We know where each other is, and it helps out this early in the season."
Albany managed to rally from a 2-0 deficit early in the second period to tie it at 2-2, and got a late goal from rookie Matt Pistilli -- his second of the night -- to force overtime and earn a point in the standings. Head coach Jeff Daniels was not pleased.
"That's about the only (good) thing was the point. Other than that, I thought we were awful," Daniels said. "It was everything. The effort. That's two games in a row where the effort hasn't been good. It starts by moving our legs. We're getting sloppy turning pucks over trying to be cute. If we play like that tomorrow night, we'll get embarrassed in Hershey. We've got to step it up."
The goals were his first two as a pro for Pistilli, who had 45 in 63 games for Shawinigan in his final junior season.
"It's good," Daniels said. "He had some chances over the last couple weeks, and it's good for him to get his confidence going. He came in here as a goal-scorer and he gets frustrated because he's had these quality chances. Tonight he got two, and hopefully he can build off that."
Minard recalled his short time in Albany, which he earned after skating with ex-Devils centerman Scott Gomez with ECHL Alaska during the 2004-05 NHL owners lockout.
"It does seem like a long time ago," Minard said. "Everyone was asking me if I played here and they're like, 'When did you do that?' I don't know how many years ago it was, but I enjoyed my time here. I have to thank the Devils organization for giving me that opportunity."
Springfield 0 2 1 0 1 -- 4
Albany 0 2 1 0 0 -- 3
Springfield wins shootout, 2-0.
First period -- None. Penalties -- Paiement, Alb (hooking), 10:47.
Second period -- 1, Springfield, Minard 8 (Linglet, Wiseman), 4:07 2, Springfield, Trukhno 1 (penalty shot), 5:37. 3, Albany, Pitsilli 1 (unassisted), 6:22. 4, Albany, Boychuk 4 (Samson, Bellemore), 16:18. Penalties -- Wild, Spg (holding), 7:29; FitzGerald, Alb (tripping), 13:06.
Third period -- 5, Springfield, Minard 9 (Linglet), 9:37 (pp). 6, Albany, Pistilli 2 (Reed), 13:43. Penalties -- Reed, Alb (delay of game), 8:31; Paukovich, Spg (cross-checking), 10:01; McDonald, Spg (hooking), 10:19.
Overtime -- None. Penalties -- None.
Shootout -- Springfield 2 (Minard G, Linglet NG, Potulny G). Albany 0 (Reed NG, Rodney NG, Bowman NG, Boychuk NG).
Shots on goal -- Springfield 9-22-5-1-1 -- 38. Albany 7-11-15-3-0 -- 36.
Goalies -- Springfield, Dubnyk 4-4-0-1 (37 shots-34 saves). Albany, Peters 3-2-0-1 (37-34).
Power-play opportunities -- Springfield 1 of 3. Albany 0 of 3.
A -- 2,422. T -- 2:19.
Referee -- Chris Brown. Linesmen -- Rich Patry, Chris Low.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Springfield at River Rats: 2-2 after two
Despite being outshot by a 31-18 margin, including 22-11 in the second period, the Albany River Rats are tied with the Springfield Falcons, 2-2, after 40 minutes.
Ex-Rats winger Chris Minard opened the scoring for Springfield 4:07 into the second, his team-high eighth goal of the season and sixth in five games, batting in a rebound off a scramble in front of Rats goalie Justin Peters.
Just 90 seconds later, Viacheslav Trukhno was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked from behind on a partial breakaway by Albany rookie defenseman Jamie McBain (though Trukhno was able to get off a shot, and a good one, that Peters turned away). Trukhno made it a 2-0 game by snapping a wrist shot low past Peters' stick for his first goal of the year.
The Rats got on the board at 6:22, after first-year forward Matt Pistilli intercepted a pass from Falcons defenseman Chris Armstrong at center ice. Pistilli skated up the slot, deked a forehand and pulled the puck to his backhand as goalie Devan Dubnyk reached for the pokecheck and lifted a shot upstairs.
Albany rookie winger Zach Boychuk evened the score on a nifty individual effort with3:42 left in the period. Boychuk peeled off the right wing boards, head-faked past Springfield's Johan Motin in the right circle and roofed a wrist shot past Dubnyk's glove from between the faceoff circles.
Attendance for tonight's game has been announced at 2,422.
Ex-Rats winger Chris Minard opened the scoring for Springfield 4:07 into the second, his team-high eighth goal of the season and sixth in five games, batting in a rebound off a scramble in front of Rats goalie Justin Peters.
Just 90 seconds later, Viacheslav Trukhno was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked from behind on a partial breakaway by Albany rookie defenseman Jamie McBain (though Trukhno was able to get off a shot, and a good one, that Peters turned away). Trukhno made it a 2-0 game by snapping a wrist shot low past Peters' stick for his first goal of the year.
The Rats got on the board at 6:22, after first-year forward Matt Pistilli intercepted a pass from Falcons defenseman Chris Armstrong at center ice. Pistilli skated up the slot, deked a forehand and pulled the puck to his backhand as goalie Devan Dubnyk reached for the pokecheck and lifted a shot upstairs.
Albany rookie winger Zach Boychuk evened the score on a nifty individual effort with3:42 left in the period. Boychuk peeled off the right wing boards, head-faked past Springfield's Johan Motin in the right circle and roofed a wrist shot past Dubnyk's glove from between the faceoff circles.
Attendance for tonight's game has been announced at 2,422.
Springfield at River Rats
My apologies for my extended absence. Several issues have kept me away, but I plan to be around more regularly in the coming weeks, as events allow.
Pretty uneventful first period tonight at the former Knickerbocker Arena, with the Albany River Rats and Springfield Falcons in a scoreless tie. There was a total of 16 shots (Springfield, 9-7) and one penalty, on Albany defenseman Jon Paiement for hooking at 10:47.
The Falcons were outshot, 3-0, to that point, but directed three shots at Rats starting goalie Justin Peters during the two-minute advantage, and held a 9-4 edge in the last 8:22.
Albany (5-4) has dropped three of its last four games, outscored 13-8. Springfield (4-4-1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Lowell in its last game on Sunday, behind a hat trick from ex-Rats winger Chris Minard.
Minard and his wife are expecting their first child soon, as is Falcons alternate captain Jake Taylor, whose wife's due date is Saturday. As a precaution, Springfield athletic trainer Brandon Dionne drove Taylor's car to Albany (Taylor took the team bus) in case Taylor needed to get home quickly. Good thinking.
Here are tonight's lineups:
Albany line combinations: Drayson Bowman-Nick Dodge-Pat Dwyer (C); Zach Boychuk-Stefan Chaput-Jerome Samson; Chris Terry-Harrison Reed-Nicolas Blanchard (A); Brad Herauf-Jacob Micflikier-Matt Pistilli.
Defense pairings: Bryan Rodney (A)-Jonathan Paiement; Jamie McBain-Zack FitzGerald; Benn Olson-Brett Bellemore.
Scratches: D Brett Carson, C Mike Angelidis, RW Steve Goertzen.
Springfield line combinations: Viachelsav Trukhno-Ryan Potulny (A)-Colton Fretter; Charles Linglet-Chad Wiseman-Chris Minard; Liam Reddox-Ryan O'Marra-Colin McDonald; Kip Brennan-Geoff Paukovich-Ryan MacMurchy.
Defense pairings: Dean Arsene (C)-Jake Taylor (A); Chris Armstrong-Johan Motin; Cody Wild-Alex Plante.
Scratches: D Matt Nickerson, LW Bryan Lerg.
Pretty uneventful first period tonight at the former Knickerbocker Arena, with the Albany River Rats and Springfield Falcons in a scoreless tie. There was a total of 16 shots (Springfield, 9-7) and one penalty, on Albany defenseman Jon Paiement for hooking at 10:47.
The Falcons were outshot, 3-0, to that point, but directed three shots at Rats starting goalie Justin Peters during the two-minute advantage, and held a 9-4 edge in the last 8:22.
Albany (5-4) has dropped three of its last four games, outscored 13-8. Springfield (4-4-1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Lowell in its last game on Sunday, behind a hat trick from ex-Rats winger Chris Minard.
Minard and his wife are expecting their first child soon, as is Falcons alternate captain Jake Taylor, whose wife's due date is Saturday. As a precaution, Springfield athletic trainer Brandon Dionne drove Taylor's car to Albany (Taylor took the team bus) in case Taylor needed to get home quickly. Good thinking.
Here are tonight's lineups:
Albany line combinations: Drayson Bowman-Nick Dodge-Pat Dwyer (C); Zach Boychuk-Stefan Chaput-Jerome Samson; Chris Terry-Harrison Reed-Nicolas Blanchard (A); Brad Herauf-Jacob Micflikier-Matt Pistilli.
Defense pairings: Bryan Rodney (A)-Jonathan Paiement; Jamie McBain-Zack FitzGerald; Benn Olson-Brett Bellemore.
Scratches: D Brett Carson, C Mike Angelidis, RW Steve Goertzen.
Springfield line combinations: Viachelsav Trukhno-Ryan Potulny (A)-Colton Fretter; Charles Linglet-Chad Wiseman-Chris Minard; Liam Reddox-Ryan O'Marra-Colin McDonald; Kip Brennan-Geoff Paukovich-Ryan MacMurchy.
Defense pairings: Dean Arsene (C)-Jake Taylor (A); Chris Armstrong-Johan Motin; Cody Wild-Alex Plante.
Scratches: D Matt Nickerson, LW Bryan Lerg.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Benefit scheduled for injured local jockey
A benefit for jockey Michael Straight, an East Greenbush native who was seriously injured in a spill at Arlington Park outside Chicago on Aug. 26, will take place Sunday at Philly G's restaurant in Vernon Hills, Ill.
The event will take place from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $50 and includes hors d'oeuvres, live music and entertainment. In addition, a silent auction, raffles, games and cash bar will be offered, with all proceeds going to Straight's medical costs.
Straight, 23, is currently at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He had surgery 24 hours after being involved in the one-horse spill, which left him with four fractured vertebrae.
He and his twin brother, Matthew, graduated a year apart from Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron's North American Riding Academy. An apprentice rider, Michael Straight won with the first mount of his career on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs. In all, he has ridden 39 winners from 372 mounts, with 23 of his wins coming at Arlington.
Reservations can be made at slapshotracing@comcast.net, or are available at the door. Those unable to attend but looking to make a contribution can do so at by sending a check payable to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund in care of Michael Straight, 547 Webford Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60016.
The event will take place from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $50 and includes hors d'oeuvres, live music and entertainment. In addition, a silent auction, raffles, games and cash bar will be offered, with all proceeds going to Straight's medical costs.
Straight, 23, is currently at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He had surgery 24 hours after being involved in the one-horse spill, which left him with four fractured vertebrae.
He and his twin brother, Matthew, graduated a year apart from Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron's North American Riding Academy. An apprentice rider, Michael Straight won with the first mount of his career on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs. In all, he has ridden 39 winners from 372 mounts, with 23 of his wins coming at Arlington.
Reservations can be made at slapshotracing@comcast.net, or are available at the door. Those unable to attend but looking to make a contribution can do so at by sending a check payable to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund in care of Michael Straight, 547 Webford Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60016.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Flyers create room on Phantoms blueline
The Adirondack Phantoms' defense corps got a little less crowded with today's trade of Michael Ratchuk by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In return, the Flyers received right wing Stefan Legein, who was immediately assigned to Adirondack. He is expected to be on the ice for practice on Wednesday.
Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert had been juggling nine defensemen on the roster, often dressing seven with 11 forwards for games. Ratchuk, 21, had one assist and two penalty minutes in five games for Adirondack this season. He played 94 regular-season and playoff games for the Phantoms organization, and is best known for setting up Ryan Potulny's winner in the fifth overtime in Game 5 of the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs against Albany.
Legein, 20, played two seasons of junior hockey under Gilbert with the OHL's Mississauga Ice Dogs, from 2004-06, and was an alternate captain on Team Canada's gold-medal winning World Junior Championship team in 2008. He had three points (2g, 1a) in six AHL games for the Syracuse Crunch.
Adirondack hosts Hartford Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center before facing the Albany River Rats on Saturday at the former Knickerbocker Arena.
In return, the Flyers received right wing Stefan Legein, who was immediately assigned to Adirondack. He is expected to be on the ice for practice on Wednesday.
Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert had been juggling nine defensemen on the roster, often dressing seven with 11 forwards for games. Ratchuk, 21, had one assist and two penalty minutes in five games for Adirondack this season. He played 94 regular-season and playoff games for the Phantoms organization, and is best known for setting up Ryan Potulny's winner in the fifth overtime in Game 5 of the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs against Albany.
Legein, 20, played two seasons of junior hockey under Gilbert with the OHL's Mississauga Ice Dogs, from 2004-06, and was an alternate captain on Team Canada's gold-medal winning World Junior Championship team in 2008. He had three points (2g, 1a) in six AHL games for the Syracuse Crunch.
Adirondack hosts Hartford Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center before facing the Albany River Rats on Saturday at the former Knickerbocker Arena.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Rats win streak ends in Worcester
A pair of goals by captain Pat Dwyer was not enough as the Albany River Rats saw their four-game win streak snapped today by the host Worcester Sharks.
Albany (4-2) faced deficits of 2-0 and 4-1 before rallying to within a goal on scores by Dwyer and rookie defenseman Jamie McBain, the latter with 1:11 left in the third period.
Center Andrew Desjardins, who opened the scoring midway through the first period for Worcester, ended it on an empty-net goal with two seconds remaining.
Dwyer scored once unassisted and once on a helper from rookie forward Drayson Bowman. McBain's first goal of the season was assisted by Jerome Samson and Brandon Sutter; Samson now has a point in each of Albany's six games this season (4g, 6a), his 10 points tied for third overall in the AHL.
Forward Nicolas Blanchard returned to action for Albany after missing Saturday's OT win at Adirondack serving a one-game AHL suspension for his hit on Norfolk's Matt Smaby.
Rats first-year goaltender Mike Murphy finished with 27 saves.
Former River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless with two shots for Worcester, while defenseman Nick Petrecki, a Clifton Park native, finished a plus-1.
Albany (4-2) faced deficits of 2-0 and 4-1 before rallying to within a goal on scores by Dwyer and rookie defenseman Jamie McBain, the latter with 1:11 left in the third period.
Center Andrew Desjardins, who opened the scoring midway through the first period for Worcester, ended it on an empty-net goal with two seconds remaining.
Dwyer scored once unassisted and once on a helper from rookie forward Drayson Bowman. McBain's first goal of the season was assisted by Jerome Samson and Brandon Sutter; Samson now has a point in each of Albany's six games this season (4g, 6a), his 10 points tied for third overall in the AHL.
Forward Nicolas Blanchard returned to action for Albany after missing Saturday's OT win at Adirondack serving a one-game AHL suspension for his hit on Norfolk's Matt Smaby.
Rats first-year goaltender Mike Murphy finished with 27 saves.
Former River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless with two shots for Worcester, while defenseman Nick Petrecki, a Clifton Park native, finished a plus-1.
Milestone win for Phantoms
The Adirondack Phantoms bounced back from Saturday's OT loss against arch-rival Albany to post their first road victory of the season this afternoon in Bridgeport.
Several milestones were reached in Adirondack's 4-2 win, which was the Sound Tigers' second in a row after four victories to open the season.
Goaltender Brian Boucher was reassigned by the parent Philadelphia Flyers prior to the game for conditioning, and he met the Phantoms in Bridgeport. Boucher stopped 29 of 31 shots for his 60th win with the AHL franchise.
Adirondack captain Jared Ross scored one goal and set up another, his 199th and 200th points in the AHL. He was named the game's first star. Alternate captain Jason Ward, who last week became a father for the third time, celebrated with an assist and his 100th career AHL goal, the winner with 7:04 left in the second period.
Playing his second straight game, veteran forward Krys Kolanos also chipped in with a goal and an assist for Adirondack, sealing the win on an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Phantoms play next at home on Friday night against Hartford, then head to Albany for Game 2 of 12 in the Time Warner Cable Cup series against the River Rats.
Several milestones were reached in Adirondack's 4-2 win, which was the Sound Tigers' second in a row after four victories to open the season.
Goaltender Brian Boucher was reassigned by the parent Philadelphia Flyers prior to the game for conditioning, and he met the Phantoms in Bridgeport. Boucher stopped 29 of 31 shots for his 60th win with the AHL franchise.
Adirondack captain Jared Ross scored one goal and set up another, his 199th and 200th points in the AHL. He was named the game's first star. Alternate captain Jason Ward, who last week became a father for the third time, celebrated with an assist and his 100th career AHL goal, the winner with 7:04 left in the second period.
Playing his second straight game, veteran forward Krys Kolanos also chipped in with a goal and an assist for Adirondack, sealing the win on an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Phantoms play next at home on Friday night against Hartford, then head to Albany for Game 2 of 12 in the Time Warner Cable Cup series against the River Rats.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rats-Phantoms: The rivalry begins
It's only a matter of hours before the Adirondack Phantoms and Albany River Rats square off before what is expected to be a standing-room-only crowd at the Glens Falls Civic Center in the first of 12 regular-season meetings between the geographic AHL rivals separated by (roughly) 54.3 miles of the Adirondack Northway.
The Rats have beaten Portland, Rochester and Norfolk in succession after dropping their season opener to Manchester, all at home. The Phantoms evened their record at 2-2 with a home victory over defending Calder Cup champion Hershey last night.
Albany and Adirondack took turns beating each other on back-to-back nights in the preseason in hard-fought, physical games that are likely to be the norm, given their frequency and location.
"Judging from the preseason games, i think there's going to be all kinds of different hockey being played," Rats rookie center Zach Boychuk said. "There's going to be some toughness, probably a few fights, and there's going to be some skill out there. I'm really looking forward to the game. The fans should be pretty crazy out there. We've heard all the stories from (Albany assistant coach) Geordie (Kinnear) from when he played back in the day. It's going to be interesting, that's for sure."
The Rats and Adirondack Red Wings were among the AHL's fiercest rivals from 1993, when the Capital District Islanders relocated from Troy, and 1999, when the Detroit Red Wings pulled their top farm team from Glens Falls after two decades and four Calder Cup titles.
Glens Falls hasn't had a full-time AHL team since then, though Albany played several regular-season and playoff "home" games the past few years at the Civic Center.
"We're excited," Albany defenseman and alternate captain Bryan Rodney said. "It's a good little hockey town, the Adirondack-Glens Falls area. I know they're going to support their team well, and I'm sure they'll be roaring in warmup. That's the environment a hockey player wants to get in and play in. Hopefully, we'll bring our 'A' game and get off to a good start against this team, because we know we have them, like, 28 times this year. We want to let them know it's going to be a hard-fought game every time against us."
Albany head coach-GM Jeff Daniels hasn't given tonight's game any extra attention throughout the week.
"To be honest, we haven't talked about it much," he said. 'I think it's more for the fans and that kind of thing. I think the games will be intense just because of that. But, we're not going to change our game just because we play them 12 times. We need to keep doing what we've been doing and get better at it. We're not going to try to put on a show just because it's our big rival. We just want to go and play our game."
Tonight is the middle game of the first three-in-three weekend of the season for Adirondack. Both the Phantoms and Rats are on the road on Sunday.
"When you play a team that many times, obviously you're going to learn a lot about them," Adirondack veteran forward and alternate captain Jason Ward said. "It's going to come down to a lot of strategy and stuff like that. It's always nice to have a team close by for travel and things like that, but when you play a team that many times, you're definitely going to have some hatred on both sides."
********************
Albany will be without three of its veterans in forwards Mike Angelidis and Nicolas Blanchard and defenseman Brett Carson.
Angelidis will miss 3-5 more weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in the season-opening loss to Manchester. Carson broke his left wrist against Portland last Friday and will be out 4-6 weeks.
"We're hoping it's four weeks, but you never know," Daniels said. "He got hit by a pretty big guy and he was far enough away from the boards where he wasn't able to give himself that cushion and went right into the boards. You miss a big horse like Carse who can play a lot of minutes and doesn't seem to drop off, but it's been a group effort in his absence."
Blanchard is wearing the 'A' as alternate captain in Carson's absence, but Blanchard will sit tonight serving a one-game AHL suspension for his hit on Norfolk's Matt Smaby in Wednesday's win. He was given a boarding major on the play and fought Admirals defenseman and East Greenbush native Matt Lashoff after the play.
Smaby did not return to the game. Just prior to the hit, he elbowed Albany forward Steve Goertzen in the head, which went unpenalized and prompted Blanchard to step in. Norfolk coach Darren Rumble submitted a tape of the play to the league, which issued the suspension on Friday as supplemental discipline.
"(Smaby) stepped up on Goertzen and Blanch came over and gave him a shot, like 'That's not going to happen,' " Daniels said. "It was kind of the same situation with Carse where he did get hit and was kind of away from the boards so that when the impact came, he couldn't cushion himself. The puck wasn't there and it was kind of late. (The AHL) obviously wants the guys to play hard, but play within the rules."
********************
Adirondack will welcome the return of two of its veteran players, defenseman and former River Rat Joey Mormina, and Ward. Both missed games last week for the birth of their children.
It was the first for Mormina and third for Ward, who already has sons Eric, 6, and Nathan, 3. They, their mom and newest brother, Lukas Matthew, remain back in Toronto.
"It was pretty tough leaving for camp and not seeing them," Ward said. "It was nice for coach (Greg Gilbert) to give me some extra days with them, which was really appreciated. To be able to spend time with my older boys and, of course, spend some quality time with the new addition was really beneficial for me. We're just trying to find a place to get everybody down here and try to get back in the old routine."
The Rats have beaten Portland, Rochester and Norfolk in succession after dropping their season opener to Manchester, all at home. The Phantoms evened their record at 2-2 with a home victory over defending Calder Cup champion Hershey last night.
Albany and Adirondack took turns beating each other on back-to-back nights in the preseason in hard-fought, physical games that are likely to be the norm, given their frequency and location.
"Judging from the preseason games, i think there's going to be all kinds of different hockey being played," Rats rookie center Zach Boychuk said. "There's going to be some toughness, probably a few fights, and there's going to be some skill out there. I'm really looking forward to the game. The fans should be pretty crazy out there. We've heard all the stories from (Albany assistant coach) Geordie (Kinnear) from when he played back in the day. It's going to be interesting, that's for sure."
The Rats and Adirondack Red Wings were among the AHL's fiercest rivals from 1993, when the Capital District Islanders relocated from Troy, and 1999, when the Detroit Red Wings pulled their top farm team from Glens Falls after two decades and four Calder Cup titles.
Glens Falls hasn't had a full-time AHL team since then, though Albany played several regular-season and playoff "home" games the past few years at the Civic Center.
"We're excited," Albany defenseman and alternate captain Bryan Rodney said. "It's a good little hockey town, the Adirondack-Glens Falls area. I know they're going to support their team well, and I'm sure they'll be roaring in warmup. That's the environment a hockey player wants to get in and play in. Hopefully, we'll bring our 'A' game and get off to a good start against this team, because we know we have them, like, 28 times this year. We want to let them know it's going to be a hard-fought game every time against us."
Albany head coach-GM Jeff Daniels hasn't given tonight's game any extra attention throughout the week.
"To be honest, we haven't talked about it much," he said. 'I think it's more for the fans and that kind of thing. I think the games will be intense just because of that. But, we're not going to change our game just because we play them 12 times. We need to keep doing what we've been doing and get better at it. We're not going to try to put on a show just because it's our big rival. We just want to go and play our game."
Tonight is the middle game of the first three-in-three weekend of the season for Adirondack. Both the Phantoms and Rats are on the road on Sunday.
"When you play a team that many times, obviously you're going to learn a lot about them," Adirondack veteran forward and alternate captain Jason Ward said. "It's going to come down to a lot of strategy and stuff like that. It's always nice to have a team close by for travel and things like that, but when you play a team that many times, you're definitely going to have some hatred on both sides."
********************
Albany will be without three of its veterans in forwards Mike Angelidis and Nicolas Blanchard and defenseman Brett Carson.
Angelidis will miss 3-5 more weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in the season-opening loss to Manchester. Carson broke his left wrist against Portland last Friday and will be out 4-6 weeks.
"We're hoping it's four weeks, but you never know," Daniels said. "He got hit by a pretty big guy and he was far enough away from the boards where he wasn't able to give himself that cushion and went right into the boards. You miss a big horse like Carse who can play a lot of minutes and doesn't seem to drop off, but it's been a group effort in his absence."
Blanchard is wearing the 'A' as alternate captain in Carson's absence, but Blanchard will sit tonight serving a one-game AHL suspension for his hit on Norfolk's Matt Smaby in Wednesday's win. He was given a boarding major on the play and fought Admirals defenseman and East Greenbush native Matt Lashoff after the play.
Smaby did not return to the game. Just prior to the hit, he elbowed Albany forward Steve Goertzen in the head, which went unpenalized and prompted Blanchard to step in. Norfolk coach Darren Rumble submitted a tape of the play to the league, which issued the suspension on Friday as supplemental discipline.
"(Smaby) stepped up on Goertzen and Blanch came over and gave him a shot, like 'That's not going to happen,' " Daniels said. "It was kind of the same situation with Carse where he did get hit and was kind of away from the boards so that when the impact came, he couldn't cushion himself. The puck wasn't there and it was kind of late. (The AHL) obviously wants the guys to play hard, but play within the rules."
********************
Adirondack will welcome the return of two of its veteran players, defenseman and former River Rat Joey Mormina, and Ward. Both missed games last week for the birth of their children.
It was the first for Mormina and third for Ward, who already has sons Eric, 6, and Nathan, 3. They, their mom and newest brother, Lukas Matthew, remain back in Toronto.
"It was pretty tough leaving for camp and not seeing them," Ward said. "It was nice for coach (Greg Gilbert) to give me some extra days with them, which was really appreciated. To be able to spend time with my older boys and, of course, spend some quality time with the new addition was really beneficial for me. We're just trying to find a place to get everybody down here and try to get back in the old routine."
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Support your local HS hockey team
The Mohonasen-Schalmont high school varsity ice hockey team needs your help.
As they do every year, players and parents are actively raising money for the upcoming season, which typically runs from mid-November to mid-February.
While it is a varsity program, the hockey team receives only minimal financial support from the two school districts. Players and parents are forced to raise MORE THAN 70 PERCENT of the operating budget (ice time, referees, travel, coaches, etc.), which I'm told is about $30,000.
It is a daunting figure, and task, to be sure, one made even moreso by the fact that the M-S hockey team will have exactly nine players this season. Yes, nine. With five skaters and a goaltender on the ice at any one time, that leaves a bench of, c'mon math wizards, three.
The team has several fundraisers, from pancake breakfasts to bottle drives to raffles. Local businesses can help out by purchasing space in the team's ad book (program), which is available at every home game. Ads range in cost from $20 to $250, depending on size. Monetary donations are also accepted and welcomed, whether from businesses or individuals, of any denomination. All proceeds go directly to the team.
Anyone interested in donating is encouraged to contact Mohonasen-Schalmont Hockey Association president Barb Glasser at (518) 858-8552 or barbglasser@pricechopper.com
Thanks for your support!
As they do every year, players and parents are actively raising money for the upcoming season, which typically runs from mid-November to mid-February.
While it is a varsity program, the hockey team receives only minimal financial support from the two school districts. Players and parents are forced to raise MORE THAN 70 PERCENT of the operating budget (ice time, referees, travel, coaches, etc.), which I'm told is about $30,000.
It is a daunting figure, and task, to be sure, one made even moreso by the fact that the M-S hockey team will have exactly nine players this season. Yes, nine. With five skaters and a goaltender on the ice at any one time, that leaves a bench of, c'mon math wizards, three.
The team has several fundraisers, from pancake breakfasts to bottle drives to raffles. Local businesses can help out by purchasing space in the team's ad book (program), which is available at every home game. Ads range in cost from $20 to $250, depending on size. Monetary donations are also accepted and welcomed, whether from businesses or individuals, of any denomination. All proceeds go directly to the team.
Anyone interested in donating is encouraged to contact Mohonasen-Schalmont Hockey Association president Barb Glasser at (518) 858-8552 or barbglasser@pricechopper.com
Thanks for your support!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Phantoms goal crease becomes less crowded
They began the week with four goaltenders, but the Adirondack Phantoms are down to two with today's reassignment of Jeremy Duchesne to the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings.
A fourth-round Philadelphia Flyers draft pick in 2005, Duchesne, 22, played for Mississippi and South Carolina in the ECHL last season, picking up his first AHL win for the Phantoms, then based in Philly, on March 28. He dressed as the backup to Nic Riopel in a 3-2 season-opening loss to Worcester on Oct. 3.
Riopel remains on Adirondack's roster along with 28-year-old Swedish import Johan Backlund. Michael-Lee Teslak was assigned to ECHL Elmira on Tuesday.
Adirondack hosts Springfield on Friday at the Glens Falls Civic Center, and plays its first road game at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse on Saturday.
A fourth-round Philadelphia Flyers draft pick in 2005, Duchesne, 22, played for Mississippi and South Carolina in the ECHL last season, picking up his first AHL win for the Phantoms, then based in Philly, on March 28. He dressed as the backup to Nic Riopel in a 3-2 season-opening loss to Worcester on Oct. 3.
Riopel remains on Adirondack's roster along with 28-year-old Swedish import Johan Backlund. Michael-Lee Teslak was assigned to ECHL Elmira on Tuesday.
Adirondack hosts Springfield on Friday at the Glens Falls Civic Center, and plays its first road game at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse on Saturday.
Thursday with the Rats: injury means opportunity
In the prolonged absence of alternate captain Mike Angelidis (see our post earlier this week), second-year forwards Harrison Reed and Stefan Chaput will get their chance to make an impact.
Reed will make his season debut when Albany hosts the Portland Pirates on Friday at the former Knickerbocker Arena. Chaput, limited to 15 games by injury as a rookie, was scoreless in the Rats' 6-3 loss last weekend to Manchester.
A third-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Reed, 21, had nine points (5g, 4a) in 70 games last season.
"I think he learned a lot from last year," head coach-GM Jeff Daniels said following today's practice. "The way he's practicing now is very business-like. He's got an NHL shot. He uses it in practice, and I just want to make sure he uses it in a game now. He knows the situation where he's battling for ice time, and every day he's come to the rink and worked.
"You can take it one of two ways, where you sit around and feel sorry for yourself and that doesn't get you in the lineup, or you keep pushing yourself like he has so when he's ready to go, he should be flying."
Daniels chatted for several minutes with Reed on the ice following practice.
"I told him it's just a matter of waiting for your opportunity, and when you get it, you have to take advantage of it," Daniels said. "Now's his chance. It's unfortunate for Angie, but it's a good break for Reeder. It gives him a chance to get his foot in the door."
Reed is looking forward to the opportunity. He was a healthy scratch against Manchester.
"I've been working hard in practices and training camp and eager to get in a game situation," Reed said. "I want to play well in all aspects of the game; defensive zone, offensive zone, and contribute to the team any way I can."
Reed skated with other young players for Carolina's championship entry at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich. that preceded camp. He was not among those invited to a slimmed-down main camp in Raleigh, N.C.
"It was definitely a little bit hard not to go to the main camp," Reed said. "It was somewhat of a wakeup all that you have to work harder. Not everyone gets to go. You have to show them that you're supposed to be there."
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Like Reed, the 21-year-old Chaput played at the prospects tournament but was not in Raleigh, meeting the Rats when they got to Albany.
His ice time will include filling Angelidis' regular shift on one of the two primary penalty-killing units.
"Chappy's a guy that can kill penalties for us," Daniels said. "He did it a bit last year. I used him in the rookie tournament to kill penalties. That's going to be his role, a good two-way hockey player that can kill penalties. He'll get the opportunity to do that."
Chaput scored 11 points (4g, 7a) in 2008-09, and is still considered an AHL rookie by games played. He had back-to-back goals Dec. 3 and 5, his last game. After two months on the injured list, he had season-ending surgery on Feb. 4.
"Chappy had a pretty strong game (in the season opener) after I watched it," Daniels said. "He played hard. For a guy that only played 15 games last year, he's pretty much starting over again. His conditioning is not where it needs to be yet, but the effort was there."
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Reed will make his season debut when Albany hosts the Portland Pirates on Friday at the former Knickerbocker Arena. Chaput, limited to 15 games by injury as a rookie, was scoreless in the Rats' 6-3 loss last weekend to Manchester.
A third-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Reed, 21, had nine points (5g, 4a) in 70 games last season.
"I think he learned a lot from last year," head coach-GM Jeff Daniels said following today's practice. "The way he's practicing now is very business-like. He's got an NHL shot. He uses it in practice, and I just want to make sure he uses it in a game now. He knows the situation where he's battling for ice time, and every day he's come to the rink and worked.
"You can take it one of two ways, where you sit around and feel sorry for yourself and that doesn't get you in the lineup, or you keep pushing yourself like he has so when he's ready to go, he should be flying."
Daniels chatted for several minutes with Reed on the ice following practice.
"I told him it's just a matter of waiting for your opportunity, and when you get it, you have to take advantage of it," Daniels said. "Now's his chance. It's unfortunate for Angie, but it's a good break for Reeder. It gives him a chance to get his foot in the door."
Reed is looking forward to the opportunity. He was a healthy scratch against Manchester.
"I've been working hard in practices and training camp and eager to get in a game situation," Reed said. "I want to play well in all aspects of the game; defensive zone, offensive zone, and contribute to the team any way I can."
Reed skated with other young players for Carolina's championship entry at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich. that preceded camp. He was not among those invited to a slimmed-down main camp in Raleigh, N.C.
"It was definitely a little bit hard not to go to the main camp," Reed said. "It was somewhat of a wakeup all that you have to work harder. Not everyone gets to go. You have to show them that you're supposed to be there."
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Like Reed, the 21-year-old Chaput played at the prospects tournament but was not in Raleigh, meeting the Rats when they got to Albany.
His ice time will include filling Angelidis' regular shift on one of the two primary penalty-killing units.
"Chappy's a guy that can kill penalties for us," Daniels said. "He did it a bit last year. I used him in the rookie tournament to kill penalties. That's going to be his role, a good two-way hockey player that can kill penalties. He'll get the opportunity to do that."
Chaput scored 11 points (4g, 7a) in 2008-09, and is still considered an AHL rookie by games played. He had back-to-back goals Dec. 3 and 5, his last game. After two months on the injured list, he had season-ending surgery on Feb. 4.
"Chappy had a pretty strong game (in the season opener) after I watched it," Daniels said. "He played hard. For a guy that only played 15 games last year, he's pretty much starting over again. His conditioning is not where it needs to be yet, but the effort was there."
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When he found out which player inherited the sweater No. 4 he made famous during his playing days in Albany, assistant coach Geordie Kinnear couldn't help but be pleased.
Worn the past two seasons by the departed Mark Flood, it was issued to newcomer Zack FitzGerald, a rugged defenseman whose playing style strongly resembles Kinnear himself.
Signed as a free agent by Carolina this summer after skating with Calder Cup finalist Manitoba last season, FitzGerald fought Manchester enforcer xxxxxx xxxxxxx last weekend.
"I believed in, obviously, being intense, and he's got that intensity," Kinnear said. "He plays with a lot of sandpaper andn grit. He knew when we needed a spark the other night, and he took on probably the toughest guy in the league and held his own.
"That's what the game's about, doing this for your team and playing with that edge. He definitely has that. He's a character, he loves the game and he's passionate. He wants to get better. Absolutely, I'm very proud that he's wearing the jersey."
FitzGerald was unaware of the legacy of No. 4, and did not know that it was honored -- but still somehow not retired -- by the Rats with a banner that hangs from the arena rafters.
"I know a little bit about his history here, and I really like his coaching so far," FitzGerald said. "He's helped me tremendously in just the last two weeks. I'm happy to be here with that. I'll carry the '4' with pride."
More recently, FitzGerald is reminiscent of ex-Rats defenseman Tim Conboy, a fellow Minnesota native who has earned his way on the Canes roster with his energy and passion.
"I'm here to bring a little bit of that," FitzGerald said. "I really like how Tim plays. He's a monster, man. He hits, he fights, he does everything. I wouldn't mind following in his footsteps."
Though he's not a huge baseball fan, FitzGerald did watch the Minnesota Twins rally past Detroit to make the playoffs, where they lost their opener to well-rested AL East champion New York.
"I'm real proud of my Vikings, but I'm also real proud of the Twins for making it," he said. "Hopefully, they can beat these Yankees, though I don't want to say it too loud around here."
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The injury to Carolina forward Erik Cole should not affect Albany's roster, Daniels said. "(Conboy) jumped in at forward and they still have an extra defenseman up there. They won the game, so I'm sure they'll go with the same lineup on Friday," he said ..... Daniels plans to split goaltending duties this weekend, likely starting veteran Justin Peters vs. Portland and rookie Mike Murphy Saturday night against Rochester, also at home ...... Albany plays the Amerks four times this season, and both home games come this month; the other is on Oct. 23 ..... Rookie forward Matthew Pistilli skated a full week of practice for the first time after being hurt and is available. "It's just a matter of getting his conditioning up," Daniels said. "He won't play tomorrow night, but he'll be an option on Saturday."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Derby winner takes to California
Mine That Bird is apparently enjoying his new surroundings at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
Gearing up for his next start in Saturday's Grade 1 $300,000 Goodwood, the upset Kentucky Derby winner worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, third-fastest of 21 horses at the distance on Tuesday.
"The horse worked really super," trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley said during a national teleconference. "He got off kind of soft, and the early part of the work wasn't really fast, but when he turned for home, he really shifted gears and really, really let out down the lane.
"He worked his last eighth of a mile in :11 and 2. He galloped out in :13 and change. I was looking, he actually galloped out faster than the 10 or 12 there that worked six furlongs today worked in six furlongs. So he looked really super."
The Goodwood will be the first race for Mine That Bird since early August, when he ran third in the Grade 2 $750,000 West Virginia Derby. He was forced to miss the Grade 1 $1 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 29 recovering from minor throat surgery.
"It's a huge concern," Woolley said. "It's going to end up being about 10 weeks since we've run, I guess. That's a big stretch, but the horse is doing good and he's really had some super work. He worked fast when he was back home in New Mexico both times, and had a big work (Tuesday) morning.
"I think fitness with him is not a major concern because he only runs three-eighths of a mile or so, where a lot of horses if you have to go out there and put up some fast numbers, it might really be hard to be fit (with all those races). But with his early running style, he should be able to finish all right."
The 1 1/8-mile Goodwood will be 3-year-old Birdstone gelding Mine That Bird's first try against older horses. Expected to run are 2008 Travers winner Colonel John, Parading, Richard's Kid, Tiago and Tres Borrachos.
It will also be the first try over a synthetic surface for Mine That Bird since he was off the board in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, also over Santa Anita's artificial Pro-Ride. MTB was champion 2-year-old of 2008 in Canada, which also uses the fake stuff.
"The horse just looks like he gets over it super," Woolley said. "If you go back and analyze his Breeders' Cup race from last year, I've told everybody that we got the horse in here a little late and that wasn't really giving him his best shot. But, he also chased the pace almost five wide all the way around there, and really didn't get a real good trip. So we were a little disappointed, but I think with a better trip the horse likes the racetrack okay.
"I think most as you saw with Summer Bird, horses transfer pretty well into the older company. And I feel like he is up for a big race. We'll just see how they stack up, but I think he'll be okay."
Summer Bird won his first try against older horses in last weekend's Jockey Club Gold Cup, after winning the Belmont and Travers. Mine That Bird will be reunited with jockey Calvin Borel, who was aboard for the Derby upset.
Gearing up for his next start in Saturday's Grade 1 $300,000 Goodwood, the upset Kentucky Derby winner worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, third-fastest of 21 horses at the distance on Tuesday.
"The horse worked really super," trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley said during a national teleconference. "He got off kind of soft, and the early part of the work wasn't really fast, but when he turned for home, he really shifted gears and really, really let out down the lane.
"He worked his last eighth of a mile in :11 and 2. He galloped out in :13 and change. I was looking, he actually galloped out faster than the 10 or 12 there that worked six furlongs today worked in six furlongs. So he looked really super."
The Goodwood will be the first race for Mine That Bird since early August, when he ran third in the Grade 2 $750,000 West Virginia Derby. He was forced to miss the Grade 1 $1 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 29 recovering from minor throat surgery.
"It's a huge concern," Woolley said. "It's going to end up being about 10 weeks since we've run, I guess. That's a big stretch, but the horse is doing good and he's really had some super work. He worked fast when he was back home in New Mexico both times, and had a big work (Tuesday) morning.
"I think fitness with him is not a major concern because he only runs three-eighths of a mile or so, where a lot of horses if you have to go out there and put up some fast numbers, it might really be hard to be fit (with all those races). But with his early running style, he should be able to finish all right."
The 1 1/8-mile Goodwood will be 3-year-old Birdstone gelding Mine That Bird's first try against older horses. Expected to run are 2008 Travers winner Colonel John, Parading, Richard's Kid, Tiago and Tres Borrachos.
It will also be the first try over a synthetic surface for Mine That Bird since he was off the board in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, also over Santa Anita's artificial Pro-Ride. MTB was champion 2-year-old of 2008 in Canada, which also uses the fake stuff.
"The horse just looks like he gets over it super," Woolley said. "If you go back and analyze his Breeders' Cup race from last year, I've told everybody that we got the horse in here a little late and that wasn't really giving him his best shot. But, he also chased the pace almost five wide all the way around there, and really didn't get a real good trip. So we were a little disappointed, but I think with a better trip the horse likes the racetrack okay.
"I think most as you saw with Summer Bird, horses transfer pretty well into the older company. And I feel like he is up for a big race. We'll just see how they stack up, but I think he'll be okay."
Summer Bird won his first try against older horses in last weekend's Jockey Club Gold Cup, after winning the Belmont and Travers. Mine That Bird will be reunited with jockey Calvin Borel, who was aboard for the Derby upset.
Phantoms lean on veterans for leadership
There is no shortage of leaders on the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms, as evidenced by head coach Greg Gilbert's selections of the team's captains.
Gilbert chose center Jared Ross to wear the captain's 'C,' served by four alternates: Jon Matsumoto and Sean Curry at home, and Joey Mormina and Jason Ward on the road.
Between them, the five men have 1,868 games of pro experience in the NHL, AHL, ECHL and UHL: Ward 654, Curry 491, Ross 279, Mormina 272, Matsumoto 172.
"We're spreading it around," Gilbert said. "It's creating a little bit bigger leadership group in the dressing room. Those guys, that's their dressing room, and they have to run it appropriately."
Ross succeeds Boyd Kane, who left the Flyers organization after three years to rejoin the Hershey Bears, who he captained to the 2006 Calder Cup.
"I've only known Jared to coach against him," Gilbert said, "but I did a lot of asking questions about people and their character and got some real good feedback from lot of people in the organization that know him, so that obviously helped out quite a bit in the decision making process."
Ross, 27, is in his fourth season with the Flyers/Phantoms. He led last year's AHL farm team in scoring and was named MVP of the AHL All-Star Game in Worcester. Ross did wear the 'C' for nearly a month last season when Kane was hurt.
"We definitely have a lot of older veterans here, and a lot of guys could have worn the 'C.' I'm proud to be wearing it, and I think I can do a good job with it," Ross said. "I've been around; it's my fifth year now so I feel like I have a lot of experience. I'm the type of guy that's going to lead more by example than by (being) verbal, but we still have a lot of other older guys where if I'm not doing enough I'm sure they'll have my back and help me out."
Gilbert chose center Jared Ross to wear the captain's 'C,' served by four alternates: Jon Matsumoto and Sean Curry at home, and Joey Mormina and Jason Ward on the road.
Between them, the five men have 1,868 games of pro experience in the NHL, AHL, ECHL and UHL: Ward 654, Curry 491, Ross 279, Mormina 272, Matsumoto 172.
"We're spreading it around," Gilbert said. "It's creating a little bit bigger leadership group in the dressing room. Those guys, that's their dressing room, and they have to run it appropriately."
Ross succeeds Boyd Kane, who left the Flyers organization after three years to rejoin the Hershey Bears, who he captained to the 2006 Calder Cup.
"I've only known Jared to coach against him," Gilbert said, "but I did a lot of asking questions about people and their character and got some real good feedback from lot of people in the organization that know him, so that obviously helped out quite a bit in the decision making process."
Ross, 27, is in his fourth season with the Flyers/Phantoms. He led last year's AHL farm team in scoring and was named MVP of the AHL All-Star Game in Worcester. Ross did wear the 'C' for nearly a month last season when Kane was hurt.
"We definitely have a lot of older veterans here, and a lot of guys could have worn the 'C.' I'm proud to be wearing it, and I think I can do a good job with it," Ross said. "I've been around; it's my fifth year now so I feel like I have a lot of experience. I'm the type of guy that's going to lead more by example than by (being) verbal, but we still have a lot of other older guys where if I'm not doing enough I'm sure they'll have my back and help me out."
Saratoga Race Course meet getting bigger
And then there were 40.
The New York Racing Association has expanded the 36-day Saratoga Race Course meeting by four days, starting in 2010.
Saratoga will open its doors for racing on Friday, July 23, 2010 and continue each day except Tuesday through Labor Day, Sept. 6. All 40 days are expected to include at least one stakes race.
The Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies is scheduled to be moved to Saratoga's new opening weekend, pending approval from the NYRA Board of Directors. It has been run during Belmont Park's spring-summer meet.
Saratoga's traditional 24-day August meet was expanded to 30 days in 1991 and 34 days in 1994, and has been steady at 36 days since 1997.
"The expansion to four racing days was a measured decision that reflects the overwhelming demand for racing that we have from horsemen in Saratoga," NYRA president and CEO Charlie Hayward said.
"At a time when many tracks in the country had to cut back on racing days, we not only continued to run six days a week at Saratoga, but did so with more horses entered per race as compared to last year.
"This reflects the high demand for quality racing at Saratoga and is a very positive indicator for expanding the 2010 meet."
Average betting interests per race rose 3.1 percent, from 8.13 in 2008 to 8.38 this summer, and total betting interests went from 2,919 in 2008 to 3,058 this year, an increase of 4.8 percent.
Saratoga was down 1.7 percent in all-sources handle to $513.8 million, with slight declines in on-track attendance (-2.1 percent) and handle (-2.2 percent). It is a sharp contrast to the national trend, where wagering was down 12.5 percent in August, according to Equibase.
The New York Racing Association has expanded the 36-day Saratoga Race Course meeting by four days, starting in 2010.
Saratoga will open its doors for racing on Friday, July 23, 2010 and continue each day except Tuesday through Labor Day, Sept. 6. All 40 days are expected to include at least one stakes race.
The Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies is scheduled to be moved to Saratoga's new opening weekend, pending approval from the NYRA Board of Directors. It has been run during Belmont Park's spring-summer meet.
Saratoga's traditional 24-day August meet was expanded to 30 days in 1991 and 34 days in 1994, and has been steady at 36 days since 1997.
"The expansion to four racing days was a measured decision that reflects the overwhelming demand for racing that we have from horsemen in Saratoga," NYRA president and CEO Charlie Hayward said.
"At a time when many tracks in the country had to cut back on racing days, we not only continued to run six days a week at Saratoga, but did so with more horses entered per race as compared to last year.
"This reflects the high demand for quality racing at Saratoga and is a very positive indicator for expanding the 2010 meet."
Average betting interests per race rose 3.1 percent, from 8.13 in 2008 to 8.38 this summer, and total betting interests went from 2,919 in 2008 to 3,058 this year, an increase of 4.8 percent.
Saratoga was down 1.7 percent in all-sources handle to $513.8 million, with slight declines in on-track attendance (-2.1 percent) and handle (-2.2 percent). It is a sharp contrast to the national trend, where wagering was down 12.5 percent in August, according to Equibase.
River Rats lose Angelidis for 4-6 weeks
ROTTERDAM -- Albany River Rats alternate captain Mike Angelidis will miss up to six weeks with an injury to his left shoulder suffered in the second period of a 6-3 season-opening loss to Manchester on Oct. 3.
Angelidis, 24, was hurt after being taken down by Monarchs defenseman Patrick Mullen at the 10:28 mark and crashed heavily into the end boards adjacent to the Manchester net. He was able to skate off the ice on his own, but did not return.
An MRI exam done on Monday confirmed the damage initially diagnosed by team doctors.
"It didn't show anything that we didn't know from when the doctor first looked at him," head coach Jeff Daniels said today. "There's no operation, no surgeries, none of that. It's just a matter of healing.
"He's 4-6 (weeks), they're saying right now. We're hoping it's the four and not the six, but it's one of those things where we'll have to wait and see."
Angelidis had 15 goals and a team-high 142 penalty minutes in 67 games for Albany last season, his third with the club. He fought Manchester's Drew Bagnall at 19:18 of the first period over the weekend.
Angelidis missed 13 games to end last season after separating the same shoulder in a 1-0 shootout victory at Providence on March 20.
"There was a ligament in there that he didn't hurt last time that he hurt this time, something like that," Daniels said. "He said he feels good, but it's just one of those things where he has to take some time.
"He wears a sling for the most part just to keep it from moving around and restricted. He's keeping his legs by riding the bike and that kind of stuff, but as I said last year, it's a big loss for us. He's a huge part of this team."
Second-year forward Harrison Reed will step into the lineup when the Rats host Portland on Friday at the former Knickerbocker Arena. Injured to start the year, rookie Matthew Pistilli is also healthy and available, Daniels said.
Daniels plans to give incumbent No. 1 goaltender Justin Peters and rookie Mike Murphy each a start this weekend. Albany also hosts the Rochester Americans on Saturday night.
Peters and Daniels were in town to tape a segment for an upcoming show to promote the Time Warner Cable Cup series of 12 regular-season matchups between the Rats and Adirondack Phantoms, the first coming Oct. 17 in Glens Falls. The show will air on TW-3 starting next week.
Angelidis, 24, was hurt after being taken down by Monarchs defenseman Patrick Mullen at the 10:28 mark and crashed heavily into the end boards adjacent to the Manchester net. He was able to skate off the ice on his own, but did not return.
An MRI exam done on Monday confirmed the damage initially diagnosed by team doctors.
"It didn't show anything that we didn't know from when the doctor first looked at him," head coach Jeff Daniels said today. "There's no operation, no surgeries, none of that. It's just a matter of healing.
"He's 4-6 (weeks), they're saying right now. We're hoping it's the four and not the six, but it's one of those things where we'll have to wait and see."
Angelidis had 15 goals and a team-high 142 penalty minutes in 67 games for Albany last season, his third with the club. He fought Manchester's Drew Bagnall at 19:18 of the first period over the weekend.
Angelidis missed 13 games to end last season after separating the same shoulder in a 1-0 shootout victory at Providence on March 20.
"There was a ligament in there that he didn't hurt last time that he hurt this time, something like that," Daniels said. "He said he feels good, but it's just one of those things where he has to take some time.
"He wears a sling for the most part just to keep it from moving around and restricted. He's keeping his legs by riding the bike and that kind of stuff, but as I said last year, it's a big loss for us. He's a huge part of this team."
Second-year forward Harrison Reed will step into the lineup when the Rats host Portland on Friday at the former Knickerbocker Arena. Injured to start the year, rookie Matthew Pistilli is also healthy and available, Daniels said.
Daniels plans to give incumbent No. 1 goaltender Justin Peters and rookie Mike Murphy each a start this weekend. Albany also hosts the Rochester Americans on Saturday night.
Peters and Daniels were in town to tape a segment for an upcoming show to promote the Time Warner Cable Cup series of 12 regular-season matchups between the Rats and Adirondack Phantoms, the first coming Oct. 17 in Glens Falls. The show will air on TW-3 starting next week.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Phantoms reassign goalie to ECHL
GLENS FALLS -- With the return of Johan Backlund from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Adirondack Phantoms sent goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak to the ECHL's Elmira Jackals today.
Teslak dressed as the backup to Nic Riopel for Adirondack's season-opening 3-2 loss to the Worcester Sharks on Oct. 3. He was 17-9-4, 2.83, .904 in 32 games for Elmira last season.
Backlund, 28, is making his North American debut this season after parts of five years in the Swedish Elite League.
"I'm sure it's going to be an adjustment for him," Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert said today. "It's a different game than the European game. He's going to have to get used to people crowding his crease, driving the net and going for loose pucks. But, he's shown he's up to the task thus far, and he's only going to improve. He's got the skills and the ability. He's a good goaltender."
Teslak dressed as the backup to Nic Riopel for Adirondack's season-opening 3-2 loss to the Worcester Sharks on Oct. 3. He was 17-9-4, 2.83, .904 in 32 games for Elmira last season.
Backlund, 28, is making his North American debut this season after parts of five years in the Swedish Elite League.
"I'm sure it's going to be an adjustment for him," Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert said today. "It's a different game than the European game. He's going to have to get used to people crowding his crease, driving the net and going for loose pucks. But, he's shown he's up to the task thus far, and he's only going to improve. He's got the skills and the ability. He's a good goaltender."
Former River Rats enforcers find new homes
Trevor Gillies and Brett Clouthier, who represented different eras of Albany River Rats enforcers, will have new AHL addresses this season.
Gillies, 30, attended the Rochester Americans training camp on a tryout, but could not agree to terms with the Western Conference team. Instead, he was signed to an AHL deal by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Monday.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Gillies spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes-affiliated Rats, netting two points (1g, 1a) and picking up 237 penalty minutes in 81 games. He was limited to 30 games in 2008-09, and did not play after suffering a concussion in a pre-Christmas fight with Paul Bissonnette of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Clouthier (6-5, 225), 29, played 221 games for Albany, then a New Jersey Devils affiliate, from 2001-05, with 22 points (11g, 11a) and 619 PIM. After a year with the Binghamton Senators, he played from 2006-08 in England. Clouthier was signed by the AHL's Providence Bruins over the weekend.
Gillies, 30, attended the Rochester Americans training camp on a tryout, but could not agree to terms with the Western Conference team. Instead, he was signed to an AHL deal by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Monday.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Gillies spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes-affiliated Rats, netting two points (1g, 1a) and picking up 237 penalty minutes in 81 games. He was limited to 30 games in 2008-09, and did not play after suffering a concussion in a pre-Christmas fight with Paul Bissonnette of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Clouthier (6-5, 225), 29, played 221 games for Albany, then a New Jersey Devils affiliate, from 2001-05, with 22 points (11g, 11a) and 619 PIM. After a year with the Binghamton Senators, he played from 2006-08 in England. Clouthier was signed by the AHL's Providence Bruins over the weekend.
Phantoms get reinforcements
Goaltender Johan Backlund and defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon were returned to the Adirondack Phantoms on Monday after starting the season with the parent Philadelphia Flyers.
Both are rookies, though Backlund, 28, skated the last four seasons in the Swedish Elite League. Making his North American debut, he will lend some much-needed experience to a young goaltending corps.
In place of injured Brian Boucher, Backlund dressed as the backup to Ray Emery as the Flyers opened the season with a pair of road wins, beating Carolina and New Jersey.
Bourdon, 20, traveled with the team but did not dress for either NHL game. Philadelphia's third-round pick in 2008, he was summoned when Ole-Kristian Tollefson was placed on the 7-day injured reserve list.
Adirondack opened the season with a gut-wrenching 3-2 loss to Worcester last weekend, on a power-play goal with 11.4 seconds left in the third period. The Phantoms host Springfield Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Both are rookies, though Backlund, 28, skated the last four seasons in the Swedish Elite League. Making his North American debut, he will lend some much-needed experience to a young goaltending corps.
In place of injured Brian Boucher, Backlund dressed as the backup to Ray Emery as the Flyers opened the season with a pair of road wins, beating Carolina and New Jersey.
Bourdon, 20, traveled with the team but did not dress for either NHL game. Philadelphia's third-round pick in 2008, he was summoned when Ole-Kristian Tollefson was placed on the 7-day injured reserve list.
Adirondack opened the season with a gut-wrenching 3-2 loss to Worcester last weekend, on a power-play goal with 11.4 seconds left in the third period. The Phantoms host Springfield Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sharks bite Phantoms in season debut
Forward Jamie McGinn deflected a shot by defenseman Danny Groulx for a power-play goal with under a minute to play in regulation as the Worcester Sharks edged the Adirondack Phantoms, 3-2, tonight at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
It was the AHL season opener for both teams and marked the return of a full-time AHL team to Glens Falls since the departure of the Adirondack Red Wings in 1999.
After falling behind, 1-0, before a standing room only crowd of 5,411, Adirondack rallied on goals by Andreas Nodl and Patrick Maroon to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period.
Steven Zalewski tied it for Worcester on the power play at 12:04 of the third, setting the stage for McGinn's heroics, which came with Phantoms forward Jonathon Kalinski in the penalty box for hooking.
Rookie Nic Riopel got the start in goal for Adirondack and stopped 26 shots.
Worcester rookie defenseman Nick Petrecki, a native of Clifton Park, wore No. 27 and finished without a point or a shot and had no penalty minutes. Ex-Albany River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless and minus-1 with one shot and two penalty minutes.
Center Jared Ross, who led the Flyers top affiliate last season when it was located in Philadelphia, wore the captain's 'C' for Adirondack. Former Rats defenseman Joey Mormina and defenseman Sean Curry dressed as alternate captains.
Worcester 1 0 2 - 3
Adirondack 0 1 1 - 2
1st Period-1, Worcester, Desjardins 1 (DaSilva, Groulx), 3:08. Penalties-Laliberte Adk (cross-checking), 11:18; McCarthy Wor (interference), 13:44.
2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Nodl 1 (Kalinski), 9:09. Penalties-Curry Adk (cross-checking), 5:32; Wilson Wor (slashing), 6:28; Mashinter Wor (roughing, fighting), 10:41; Clackson Adk (roughing), 10:41; Klotz Adk (fighting), 10:41; Strong Wor (cross-checking), 16:04.
3rd Period-3, Adirondack, Maroon 1 (Laliberte), 2:27. 4, Worcester, Zalewski 1 (Couture, Wilson), 12:04 (pp). 5, Worcester, McGinn 1 (Groulx, Joslin), 19:49 (pp). Penalties-Helminen Wor (holding the stick), 6:09; Moore Wor (hooking), 7:47; Matsumoto Adk (holding the stick), 10:14; Groulx Wor (tripping), 16:04; Kalinski Adk (hooking), 18:55.
Shots on Goal-Worcester 12-7-10-29. Adirondack 8-11-11-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 2 of 4; Adirondack 0 of 6.
Goalies-Worcester, Stalock 1-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Adirondack, Riopel 0-1-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-5,411.
Referee-Terry Koharski. Linesmen-Jim Briggs, Frank Murphy.
It was the AHL season opener for both teams and marked the return of a full-time AHL team to Glens Falls since the departure of the Adirondack Red Wings in 1999.
After falling behind, 1-0, before a standing room only crowd of 5,411, Adirondack rallied on goals by Andreas Nodl and Patrick Maroon to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period.
Steven Zalewski tied it for Worcester on the power play at 12:04 of the third, setting the stage for McGinn's heroics, which came with Phantoms forward Jonathon Kalinski in the penalty box for hooking.
Rookie Nic Riopel got the start in goal for Adirondack and stopped 26 shots.
Worcester rookie defenseman Nick Petrecki, a native of Clifton Park, wore No. 27 and finished without a point or a shot and had no penalty minutes. Ex-Albany River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless and minus-1 with one shot and two penalty minutes.
Center Jared Ross, who led the Flyers top affiliate last season when it was located in Philadelphia, wore the captain's 'C' for Adirondack. Former Rats defenseman Joey Mormina and defenseman Sean Curry dressed as alternate captains.
Worcester 1 0 2 - 3
Adirondack 0 1 1 - 2
1st Period-1, Worcester, Desjardins 1 (DaSilva, Groulx), 3:08. Penalties-Laliberte Adk (cross-checking), 11:18; McCarthy Wor (interference), 13:44.
2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Nodl 1 (Kalinski), 9:09. Penalties-Curry Adk (cross-checking), 5:32; Wilson Wor (slashing), 6:28; Mashinter Wor (roughing, fighting), 10:41; Clackson Adk (roughing), 10:41; Klotz Adk (fighting), 10:41; Strong Wor (cross-checking), 16:04.
3rd Period-3, Adirondack, Maroon 1 (Laliberte), 2:27. 4, Worcester, Zalewski 1 (Couture, Wilson), 12:04 (pp). 5, Worcester, McGinn 1 (Groulx, Joslin), 19:49 (pp). Penalties-Helminen Wor (holding the stick), 6:09; Moore Wor (hooking), 7:47; Matsumoto Adk (holding the stick), 10:14; Groulx Wor (tripping), 16:04; Kalinski Adk (hooking), 18:55.
Shots on Goal-Worcester 12-7-10-29. Adirondack 8-11-11-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 2 of 4; Adirondack 0 of 6.
Goalies-Worcester, Stalock 1-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Adirondack, Riopel 0-1-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-5,411.
Referee-Terry Koharski. Linesmen-Jim Briggs, Frank Murphy.
Manchester doubles River Rats in season opener
ALBANY -- Rookie Andrei Loktionov scored three goals and set up a fourth to power the Manchester Monarchs past the Albany River Rats, 6-3, tonight at the former Knickerbocker Arena in the AHL season opener for both teams.
Albany rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game at 3 just 1:52 into the third period, but allowed three unanswered goals in a span of 7:18. The Rats are now 7-8-3 all-time in their first game of the season, 2-3 at home.
"We were very flat-footed, whether that was nerves or inexperience," head coach Jeff Daniels said. "They came at us hard and we didn't respond ot it. Once we started skating, we were a different team out there. We battled back to tie the game up and had some mental breakdowns in the (defensive) zone.
"They've got some good young skill players. You give them some room and they'll make plays. That's what happened in the first period, where we kind of sat back on our heels and watched them sakte and move around. You need to take away time and space and we didn't do that."
Rookie Drayson Bowman scored Albany's first goal, a slap shot from the left point through the screen of Stefan Chaput at 16:43 of the first period to make it a 2-1 game.
"I just got on the ice and the puck was rimmed around the boards," Bowman said. "I just picked it up and tried to put it on net, and it worked out. For sure, I wanted it to be in a victory, but it's nice to get the first one out of the way, not let it go too long before you get the first one and hopefully focus on getting some more."
Defenseman and alternate captain Brett Carson made it a 3-2 game with 0.4 seconds left in the second period. A falling rookie Zach Boychuk was able to sweep the loose puck to Carson at the blue line, and he fired a shot high inside the left post.
"We started off slow and got behind, and that's obviously not what we wanted to do," Carson said. "The first game, you're always going to be a little bit rusty. We're disappointed in the way we played, but there waas some flashes of what we can do. Our young guys showed the skill they have. We've got to take the positives out of it. Obviously there wasn't many, but we know we can play good hockey. That's the way we've got to look at it."
Rookie Chris Terry had the other goal for Albany, a power-play tally early in the third period that tied the game.
"It's going to be a learning curve," Daniels said. "As much as people are excited about these young kids, they're kids. As you saw out there tonight, they've got some junior habits still where they think they have a little more time than they do. They've got to do things quicker. It's something we'll harp on all week. It's probably a good thing we only had one game this week. We'll have a lot of time to practice, and we've got a lot of stuff to work on. It was a good wakeup call for these guys so they see this is a good league and it's not going to be easy."
The opening-night crowd was 6,507, a drop from the 7,039 of 2008. Albany plays next at home against Portland on Friday, Oct. 9.
"The fans were great," Daniels said. "Unfortunately, we didn't give them a good performance out there tonight. Hopefully, they'll come back Friday night and we'll be better."
Rats alternate captain Mike Angelidis was lost for the game when he was checked into the boards by Manchester defenseman Patrick Mullen with 9:32 left in the second period.
After the game, Angelidis wore a sling on his left shoulder, the same one he separated at the end of last season and had surgically repaired over the summer. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday and is out indefinitely.
"I think his stick caught my left leg and I went awkardly into the boards," Angelidis said. "We'll take all the precautions and see what happens on Monday.
"I felt good in the first period. I got in my first fight and had my legs going pretty god out there. It's just a bad year for me right now. Two shoulder separations and a bus crash. It's tough."
Manchester 3 0 3 -- 6
Albany 1 1 1 -- 3
First period -- 1, Manchester, Segal 1 (Loktionov), 5:18. 2, Manchester, Loktionov 1 (Bagnall, Parse), 10:46. 3, Albany, Bowman 1, 16:43. 4, Manchester, Loktionov 2 (Moller), 17:49. Penalties -- Westgarth, Mch major (fighting), 10:49; Fitzgerald, Alb major (fighting), 10:49; Bagnall, Mch major (fighting), 19:18; Angelidis, Alb major (fighting), 19:18.
Second period -- 5, Albany, Carson 1 (Boychuk), 19:59. Penalties -- Mullen, Mch (hooking), :57; Cliche, Mch (tripping), 7:51; Voynov, Mch (hooking), 11:14; Dwyer, Alb (tripping), 12:18.
Third period -- 6, Albany, Terry 1 (Samson), 1:52 (pp). 7, Manchester, Piskula 1 (Elkins, Westgarth), 6:12. 8, Manchester, Loktionov 3 (Mullen, Parse), 9:58. 9, Manchester, Gauthier 1 (Westgarth, Bagnall), 13:30. Penalties -- Segal, Mch (cross-checking), 1:38; Mullen, Mch (interference), 14:26; Bagnall, Mch (delay of game), 14:35.
Shots on goal -- Manchester 16-4-11 -- 31. Albany 8-14-16 -- 38.
Goalies -- Manchester, Bernier 1-0 (31 shots-28 saves). Albany, Peters 0-1 (38-32).
Power-play opportunities -- Manchester 0 of 1. Albany 1 of 6.
A -- 6,507. T -- 2:22.
Referee -- Chris Brown. Linesmen -- Mike Emanatian, Bob St. Lawrence.
Albany rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game at 3 just 1:52 into the third period, but allowed three unanswered goals in a span of 7:18. The Rats are now 7-8-3 all-time in their first game of the season, 2-3 at home.
"We were very flat-footed, whether that was nerves or inexperience," head coach Jeff Daniels said. "They came at us hard and we didn't respond ot it. Once we started skating, we were a different team out there. We battled back to tie the game up and had some mental breakdowns in the (defensive) zone.
"They've got some good young skill players. You give them some room and they'll make plays. That's what happened in the first period, where we kind of sat back on our heels and watched them sakte and move around. You need to take away time and space and we didn't do that."
Rookie Drayson Bowman scored Albany's first goal, a slap shot from the left point through the screen of Stefan Chaput at 16:43 of the first period to make it a 2-1 game.
"I just got on the ice and the puck was rimmed around the boards," Bowman said. "I just picked it up and tried to put it on net, and it worked out. For sure, I wanted it to be in a victory, but it's nice to get the first one out of the way, not let it go too long before you get the first one and hopefully focus on getting some more."
Defenseman and alternate captain Brett Carson made it a 3-2 game with 0.4 seconds left in the second period. A falling rookie Zach Boychuk was able to sweep the loose puck to Carson at the blue line, and he fired a shot high inside the left post.
"We started off slow and got behind, and that's obviously not what we wanted to do," Carson said. "The first game, you're always going to be a little bit rusty. We're disappointed in the way we played, but there waas some flashes of what we can do. Our young guys showed the skill they have. We've got to take the positives out of it. Obviously there wasn't many, but we know we can play good hockey. That's the way we've got to look at it."
Rookie Chris Terry had the other goal for Albany, a power-play tally early in the third period that tied the game.
"It's going to be a learning curve," Daniels said. "As much as people are excited about these young kids, they're kids. As you saw out there tonight, they've got some junior habits still where they think they have a little more time than they do. They've got to do things quicker. It's something we'll harp on all week. It's probably a good thing we only had one game this week. We'll have a lot of time to practice, and we've got a lot of stuff to work on. It was a good wakeup call for these guys so they see this is a good league and it's not going to be easy."
The opening-night crowd was 6,507, a drop from the 7,039 of 2008. Albany plays next at home against Portland on Friday, Oct. 9.
"The fans were great," Daniels said. "Unfortunately, we didn't give them a good performance out there tonight. Hopefully, they'll come back Friday night and we'll be better."
Rats alternate captain Mike Angelidis was lost for the game when he was checked into the boards by Manchester defenseman Patrick Mullen with 9:32 left in the second period.
After the game, Angelidis wore a sling on his left shoulder, the same one he separated at the end of last season and had surgically repaired over the summer. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday and is out indefinitely.
"I think his stick caught my left leg and I went awkardly into the boards," Angelidis said. "We'll take all the precautions and see what happens on Monday.
"I felt good in the first period. I got in my first fight and had my legs going pretty god out there. It's just a bad year for me right now. Two shoulder separations and a bus crash. It's tough."
Manchester 3 0 3 -- 6
Albany 1 1 1 -- 3
First period -- 1, Manchester, Segal 1 (Loktionov), 5:18. 2, Manchester, Loktionov 1 (Bagnall, Parse), 10:46. 3, Albany, Bowman 1, 16:43. 4, Manchester, Loktionov 2 (Moller), 17:49. Penalties -- Westgarth, Mch major (fighting), 10:49; Fitzgerald, Alb major (fighting), 10:49; Bagnall, Mch major (fighting), 19:18; Angelidis, Alb major (fighting), 19:18.
Second period -- 5, Albany, Carson 1 (Boychuk), 19:59. Penalties -- Mullen, Mch (hooking), :57; Cliche, Mch (tripping), 7:51; Voynov, Mch (hooking), 11:14; Dwyer, Alb (tripping), 12:18.
Third period -- 6, Albany, Terry 1 (Samson), 1:52 (pp). 7, Manchester, Piskula 1 (Elkins, Westgarth), 6:12. 8, Manchester, Loktionov 3 (Mullen, Parse), 9:58. 9, Manchester, Gauthier 1 (Westgarth, Bagnall), 13:30. Penalties -- Segal, Mch (cross-checking), 1:38; Mullen, Mch (interference), 14:26; Bagnall, Mch (delay of game), 14:35.
Shots on goal -- Manchester 16-4-11 -- 31. Albany 8-14-16 -- 38.
Goalies -- Manchester, Bernier 1-0 (31 shots-28 saves). Albany, Peters 0-1 (38-32).
Power-play opportunities -- Manchester 0 of 1. Albany 1 of 6.
A -- 6,507. T -- 2:22.
Referee -- Chris Brown. Linesmen -- Mike Emanatian, Bob St. Lawrence.
Summer Bird makes history in Gold Cup
Fresh off his victory in the $1 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course, Summer Bird took on older horses for the first time in today's Grade 1 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup on a wet and sloppy afternoon at Belmont Park.
Despite having to check early and then getting challenged late by record-setting Grade 1 winner and fellow 3-year-old Quality Road, Summer Bird flew to a one-length victory in 2:02.51 for 1 1/4 miles.
It was the third consecutive Grade 1 win for Summer Bird, who became the first horse since Easy Goer in 1989 to win the Belmont Stakes, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Trained by Tim Ice and favored at 8-5, Summer Bird ($4.50) raced five wide along the backstretch, closing the gap on leader Quality Road on the far turn. The two drew even at the quarter pole when Quality Road and jockey John Velazquez drifted to the right, floating Summer Bird out wider.
Summer Bird and jockey Kent Desormeaux surged to the lead at the eighth pole and dueled with Quality Road until pulling clear in the final 70 yards on a main track turned to soup by heavy rains.
"When Kent swung him to the outside, I knew he had the spot he wanted," Ice said. "He had said in the paddock the inside wasn't that good, so he wanted him about four or five off the rail. When Summer Bird took the lead, I was very confident that no one was goign to get in front of him.
"Summer Bird was hanging a little bit on him. Kent said it was easier than it looked. He was in no doubt he was going to win the race. He's that kind of racehorse. He's going to dig back in. I was feeling pretty confident."
Ice opted to keep Summer Bird in New York for the Gold Cup rather than take him to California for the Goodwood next weekend at Santa Anita, where the Breeders' Cup Classic will be run over the artificial Pro-Ride surface on Nov. 7.
Other 3-year-olds to win the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club are Man o'War (1920), Twenty Grand (1931), One Count (1951), Gallant Man (1957), Sword Dancer (1959), Damascus (1967), Arts and Letters (1969) and Temperence Hill (1980).
"I think this puts him in an elite group," Ice said. "He should be named (champion) 3-year-old colt."
Tizway, a 23-1 long shot trained by Jim Bond, finished third, followed by Macho Again, Dry Martini, Sette E Mezzo and Asiatic Boy.
Owned by Roger and Joyce Locks of Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa native Jim Cutbush through West Point Thoroughbreds, Macho Again had run second in the Grade 1 Whitney to Bullsbay and Grade 1 Woodward to Rachel Alexandra in his last two starts. He won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster and Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap this year.
Despite having to check early and then getting challenged late by record-setting Grade 1 winner and fellow 3-year-old Quality Road, Summer Bird flew to a one-length victory in 2:02.51 for 1 1/4 miles.
It was the third consecutive Grade 1 win for Summer Bird, who became the first horse since Easy Goer in 1989 to win the Belmont Stakes, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Trained by Tim Ice and favored at 8-5, Summer Bird ($4.50) raced five wide along the backstretch, closing the gap on leader Quality Road on the far turn. The two drew even at the quarter pole when Quality Road and jockey John Velazquez drifted to the right, floating Summer Bird out wider.
Summer Bird and jockey Kent Desormeaux surged to the lead at the eighth pole and dueled with Quality Road until pulling clear in the final 70 yards on a main track turned to soup by heavy rains.
"When Kent swung him to the outside, I knew he had the spot he wanted," Ice said. "He had said in the paddock the inside wasn't that good, so he wanted him about four or five off the rail. When Summer Bird took the lead, I was very confident that no one was goign to get in front of him.
"Summer Bird was hanging a little bit on him. Kent said it was easier than it looked. He was in no doubt he was going to win the race. He's that kind of racehorse. He's going to dig back in. I was feeling pretty confident."
Ice opted to keep Summer Bird in New York for the Gold Cup rather than take him to California for the Goodwood next weekend at Santa Anita, where the Breeders' Cup Classic will be run over the artificial Pro-Ride surface on Nov. 7.
Other 3-year-olds to win the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club are Man o'War (1920), Twenty Grand (1931), One Count (1951), Gallant Man (1957), Sword Dancer (1959), Damascus (1967), Arts and Letters (1969) and Temperence Hill (1980).
"I think this puts him in an elite group," Ice said. "He should be named (champion) 3-year-old colt."
Tizway, a 23-1 long shot trained by Jim Bond, finished third, followed by Macho Again, Dry Martini, Sette E Mezzo and Asiatic Boy.
Owned by Roger and Joyce Locks of Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa native Jim Cutbush through West Point Thoroughbreds, Macho Again had run second in the Grade 1 Whitney to Bullsbay and Grade 1 Woodward to Rachel Alexandra in his last two starts. He won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster and Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap this year.
River Rats: Back in Black
Sharply dressed in black, the Albany River Rats begin their 17th American Hockey League season tonight against the Manchester Monarchs at the former Knickerbocker Arena.
The special sweaters with matching helmets, pants and socks were created years ago under the old New Jersey Devils regime but never allowed to be used by Albany's former parent club. They were modified to reflect the Carolina Hurricanes affiliation and brought out for the opener.
Albany is 7-7-2 all-time in season openers, including 2-2 on home ice, winning in 1995 and 2004, and losing in 1999 and 2008.
Right wing Nicolas Blanchard is in the starting lineup for Albany, his first game since being seriously injured in the team's Feb. 19 bus crash.
Two members of the Rats' 1995 Calder Cup title team are in the house, both behind the bench as assistant coaches: Geordie Kinnear (Albany) and Scott Pellerin (Manchester).
To the game. Veteran goaltender Justin Peters is getting the start in goal for the Rats, opposed by Manchester's Jonathan Bernier.
Albany's line combinations: Zach Boychuk-Brandon Sutter-Pat Dwyer (C); Chris Terry-Nick Dodge-Jerome Samson; Drayson Bowman-Mike Angelidis (A)-Nicolas Blanchard; Brad Herauf-Stephan Chaput-Steve Goertzen.
Defense pairings: Bryan Rodney-Brett Carson (A); Jonathan Paiement-Jamie McBain; Zack Fitzgerald-Brett Bellemore.
Scratches: Benn Olson, Matt Pistilli; Harrison Reed.
Manchester line combinations: John Zeiler-Corey Elkins-Kevin Westgarth; David Meckler-Gabe Gauthier-MarcAndre Cliche (A); Bud Holloway-Justin Azevedo-Brandon Segal; Scott Parse (A)-Oscar Moller-Andrei Loktionov.
Defense pairings: Viatcheslav Voynov-Thomas Hickey; Joe Piskula-Drew Bagnall (A); David Kolomatis-Patrick Mullen.
Scratches: Andrew Campbell, Geoff Walker, Juraj Mikus.
The special sweaters with matching helmets, pants and socks were created years ago under the old New Jersey Devils regime but never allowed to be used by Albany's former parent club. They were modified to reflect the Carolina Hurricanes affiliation and brought out for the opener.
Albany is 7-7-2 all-time in season openers, including 2-2 on home ice, winning in 1995 and 2004, and losing in 1999 and 2008.
Right wing Nicolas Blanchard is in the starting lineup for Albany, his first game since being seriously injured in the team's Feb. 19 bus crash.
Two members of the Rats' 1995 Calder Cup title team are in the house, both behind the bench as assistant coaches: Geordie Kinnear (Albany) and Scott Pellerin (Manchester).
To the game. Veteran goaltender Justin Peters is getting the start in goal for the Rats, opposed by Manchester's Jonathan Bernier.
Albany's line combinations: Zach Boychuk-Brandon Sutter-Pat Dwyer (C); Chris Terry-Nick Dodge-Jerome Samson; Drayson Bowman-Mike Angelidis (A)-Nicolas Blanchard; Brad Herauf-Stephan Chaput-Steve Goertzen.
Defense pairings: Bryan Rodney-Brett Carson (A); Jonathan Paiement-Jamie McBain; Zack Fitzgerald-Brett Bellemore.
Scratches: Benn Olson, Matt Pistilli; Harrison Reed.
Manchester line combinations: John Zeiler-Corey Elkins-Kevin Westgarth; David Meckler-Gabe Gauthier-MarcAndre Cliche (A); Bud Holloway-Justin Azevedo-Brandon Segal; Scott Parse (A)-Oscar Moller-Andrei Loktionov.
Defense pairings: Viatcheslav Voynov-Thomas Hickey; Joe Piskula-Drew Bagnall (A); David Kolomatis-Patrick Mullen.
Scratches: Andrew Campbell, Geoff Walker, Juraj Mikus.
Petrecki leads Sharks into Glens Falls
Clifton Park native Nick Petrecki is less than an hour away from making his regular-season professional hockey debut with the Worcester Sharks at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by San Jose prior to his freshman season at Boston College, Petrecki and Co. will be facing the Adirondack Phantoms, marking the return of AHL hockey to the city of Glens Falls after a 10-year absence.
"I'm real excited," Petrecki said by phone this week. "I moved away from home at an early age and I've been traveling all around everywhere. I played two years out west and I know it was tough on my parents; they couldn't really get out to watch a lot of games.
"The last two years were better for them because it was within driving range. They came to every game. Now to be able to be here in Worcester where a lot of family and friends can see me play, it's pretty special."
A hulking 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman, Petrecki played three NHL preseason games for San Jose and one for Worcester. He signed an entry-level contract in the spring but decided to finish his sophomore year at school before turning pro. The Eagles won the NCAA championship in 2008.
"My first year (at BC) was a great year. Second year was kind of an up and down year for me personally and the team, Petrecki said. "It was defnitely tough to leave school. You're in your comfort zone there. You're at college, you're with all your friends, having a good time and stuff like that. It goes back to the ultimate goal to play pro hockey. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I believe it was definitely the right decision. Hopefully, I'll be up in San Jose at some point, but I'm in a great situation here to learn and get better."
Drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by San Jose prior to his freshman season at Boston College, Petrecki and Co. will be facing the Adirondack Phantoms, marking the return of AHL hockey to the city of Glens Falls after a 10-year absence.
"I'm real excited," Petrecki said by phone this week. "I moved away from home at an early age and I've been traveling all around everywhere. I played two years out west and I know it was tough on my parents; they couldn't really get out to watch a lot of games.
"The last two years were better for them because it was within driving range. They came to every game. Now to be able to be here in Worcester where a lot of family and friends can see me play, it's pretty special."
A hulking 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman, Petrecki played three NHL preseason games for San Jose and one for Worcester. He signed an entry-level contract in the spring but decided to finish his sophomore year at school before turning pro. The Eagles won the NCAA championship in 2008.
"My first year (at BC) was a great year. Second year was kind of an up and down year for me personally and the team, Petrecki said. "It was defnitely tough to leave school. You're in your comfort zone there. You're at college, you're with all your friends, having a good time and stuff like that. It goes back to the ultimate goal to play pro hockey. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I believe it was definitely the right decision. Hopefully, I'll be up in San Jose at some point, but I'm in a great situation here to learn and get better."
Friday, October 2, 2009
Macho Again ready for Gold Cup
No horse has beaten superfilly Rachel Alexandra since last year. The closest anyone has come was in the Grade 1 Woodward last month at Saratoga Race Course, when 4-year-old colt Macho Again fell a neck short.
Co-owned by Roger and Joyce Locks of Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa native Jim Cutbush through the West Point Thoroughbreds syndicate, Macho Again returns to action on Saturday in the Grade 1 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Most of the pre-race talk has been about a pair of 3-year-olds, Belmont and Travers winner Summer Bird and record-setting Grade 1 winner Quality Road, and Asiatic Boy, who has more than $3 million in career earnings but has yet to win a race in North America.
"Macho's doing good, and we're ready to rumble," Joyce Locks said early this evening. The Lockses arrived on Long Island for tomorrow's race around 4:30 this afternoon.
"[A win] would mean an awful lot for us. To win two Grade 1 races in the second half of the year would be absolutely phenomenal. Maybe he'd get a little more respect, which we feel he deserves. He's a great horse.
"If you look at the polls in the Racing Form, I think we come in third, but our opinion is, Macho is pretty much the best older horse out there. We're excited."
Trained by Dallas Stewart, Macho Again won the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap in March and the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in June. He was a closing second to long shot Bullsbay in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 8 at Saratoga before running into Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward.
"He came so close," Joyce Locks said. "It's good and bad that he came in second in the Woodward. We wanted to win. It would have been great for us. It was great for racing that she won because it really helps the fan base and they were all backing her. But, we were right there with her. If it was here at Belmont, more than likely we would have surpassed her.
"He's developed into a phenomenal older horse. He's proved himself. He's coming out of these races really well and been moving forward in a very short period of time. This is a long stretch (at Belmont) and that's what he's good at. Give him that long stretch, and he's like a bullet. It could be a phenomenal race. We're always in it to win it."
Macho Again has six wins and six seconds from 20 lifetime starts, winning the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga as a 3-year-old. He's the third choice in the Jockey Club at odds of 7-2.
"It's a horse race, so anythingn can happen," Joyce Locks said. "I feel good about Macho, and feel good about the race. I think we have a great chance."
Co-owned by Roger and Joyce Locks of Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa native Jim Cutbush through the West Point Thoroughbreds syndicate, Macho Again returns to action on Saturday in the Grade 1 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Most of the pre-race talk has been about a pair of 3-year-olds, Belmont and Travers winner Summer Bird and record-setting Grade 1 winner Quality Road, and Asiatic Boy, who has more than $3 million in career earnings but has yet to win a race in North America.
"Macho's doing good, and we're ready to rumble," Joyce Locks said early this evening. The Lockses arrived on Long Island for tomorrow's race around 4:30 this afternoon.
"[A win] would mean an awful lot for us. To win two Grade 1 races in the second half of the year would be absolutely phenomenal. Maybe he'd get a little more respect, which we feel he deserves. He's a great horse.
"If you look at the polls in the Racing Form, I think we come in third, but our opinion is, Macho is pretty much the best older horse out there. We're excited."
Trained by Dallas Stewart, Macho Again won the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap in March and the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in June. He was a closing second to long shot Bullsbay in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 8 at Saratoga before running into Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward.
"He came so close," Joyce Locks said. "It's good and bad that he came in second in the Woodward. We wanted to win. It would have been great for us. It was great for racing that she won because it really helps the fan base and they were all backing her. But, we were right there with her. If it was here at Belmont, more than likely we would have surpassed her.
"He's developed into a phenomenal older horse. He's proved himself. He's coming out of these races really well and been moving forward in a very short period of time. This is a long stretch (at Belmont) and that's what he's good at. Give him that long stretch, and he's like a bullet. It could be a phenomenal race. We're always in it to win it."
Macho Again has six wins and six seconds from 20 lifetime starts, winning the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga as a 3-year-old. He's the third choice in the Jockey Club at odds of 7-2.
"It's a horse race, so anythingn can happen," Joyce Locks said. "I feel good about Macho, and feel good about the race. I think we have a great chance."
Flyers return goalie to Adirondack
Goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak, recalled by the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, was returned to the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms today.
The 23-year-old Teslak practiced with the NHL team yesterday before the team left for their season opener in Raleigh, N.C. against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.
Adirondack's roster stands at 25 players for its season opener Saturday night against the Worcester Sharks at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Goaltenders: Michael-Lee Teslak, Jeremy Duchesne, Nic Riopel.
Defensemen: Joonas Lehtivuori, Joey Mormina, Kevin Marshall, Randy Jones, Oskars Bartulis, Michael Ratchuk, Sean Curry, Logan Stephenson.
Forwards: David Laliberte, Jon Matsumoto, Garrett Klotz, Andreas Nodl, Matt Clackson, Patrick Maroon, Jason Ward, Jared Ross, Ryan Dingle, Josh Beaulieu, Lukas Kaspar, Rob Bellamy, Krys Kolanos, Jonathon Kalinski.
The 23-year-old Teslak practiced with the NHL team yesterday before the team left for their season opener in Raleigh, N.C. against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.
Adirondack's roster stands at 25 players for its season opener Saturday night against the Worcester Sharks at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Goaltenders: Michael-Lee Teslak, Jeremy Duchesne, Nic Riopel.
Defensemen: Joonas Lehtivuori, Joey Mormina, Kevin Marshall, Randy Jones, Oskars Bartulis, Michael Ratchuk, Sean Curry, Logan Stephenson.
Forwards: David Laliberte, Jon Matsumoto, Garrett Klotz, Andreas Nodl, Matt Clackson, Patrick Maroon, Jason Ward, Jared Ross, Ryan Dingle, Josh Beaulieu, Lukas Kaspar, Rob Bellamy, Krys Kolanos, Jonathon Kalinski.
Saratoga riding champion reaches milestone
Ramon Dominguez, who came off record-setting meets at Aqueduct and Belmont Park to capture his first Saratoga Race Course riding title this summer, added another milestone to his breakout 2009 season.
Dominguez won today's fifth race at Belmont aboard Bon Marie, his 300th victory in New York this year. In doing so, Dominguez became only the fifth rider to reach that plateau in the Empire State in a calendar year.
The others are Steve Cauthen (433 wins in 1977), Angel Cordero Jr. (340 in 1982; 309 in 1983), Mike Smith (330 in 1991; 313 in 1993), and Eibar Coa (303 in 2006).
Bon Marie is trained by Anthony Dutrow for owners Michael Dubb and Robert Joscelyn.
"It feels great," Dominguez said. "When the year starts, you don't target anything like this. The days roll along and you start winning races and you hit 300. It's something to be proud of, especially in New York."
Dominguez set a modern-day record with 98 wins at Belmont's spring-summer meet that preceded Saratoga, where he edged defending champ Alan Garcia for the crown in his first full year in New York after dominating the Mid-Atlantic circuit.
He is 300-for-1,229 in New York this year with $11.8 million in purses. He ranks second nationally in wins and first in purses ($13.5 million).
"I'm very excited, especially with this being my first time year-round here," Dominguez said. "I couldn't have dreamed of it."
Dominguez won today's fifth race at Belmont aboard Bon Marie, his 300th victory in New York this year. In doing so, Dominguez became only the fifth rider to reach that plateau in the Empire State in a calendar year.
The others are Steve Cauthen (433 wins in 1977), Angel Cordero Jr. (340 in 1982; 309 in 1983), Mike Smith (330 in 1991; 313 in 1993), and Eibar Coa (303 in 2006).
Bon Marie is trained by Anthony Dutrow for owners Michael Dubb and Robert Joscelyn.
"It feels great," Dominguez said. "When the year starts, you don't target anything like this. The days roll along and you start winning races and you hit 300. It's something to be proud of, especially in New York."
Dominguez set a modern-day record with 98 wins at Belmont's spring-summer meet that preceded Saratoga, where he edged defending champ Alan Garcia for the crown in his first full year in New York after dominating the Mid-Atlantic circuit.
He is 300-for-1,229 in New York this year with $11.8 million in purses. He ranks second nationally in wins and first in purses ($13.5 million).
"I'm very excited, especially with this being my first time year-round here," Dominguez said. "I couldn't have dreamed of it."
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Familiar faces to lead River Rats
ALBANY -- Albany River Rats head coach Jeff Daniels said today that forward Pat Dwyer will reprise his role as team captain this season.
Dwyer, 26, is in his fourth season with the Rats, and will have worn the captain's 'C' in parts of three of them. Current assistant coach Geordie Kinnear is the only Albany player to be captain for three full seasons (1996-99).
"It's an honor and it's something I strive to be, a leader on this team," Dwyer said following practice this morning. "At the same time, in developing these kids, I have to make sure I just play my game and go out there and do what I do and lead by example. I'm not a huge overly vocal guy so I'm just trying to show these kids what it takes to be a professional."
Forward Mike Angelidis will be Dwyer's full-time alternate; defenseman Brett Carson (home games) and Bryan Rodney (road games) will share alternate's duties.
"They set the tone for practice every day," Daniels said. "They lead by example more. They're not big rah-rah guys, and that's what I told them. I don't want them to change what they do and how they play. I picked them because of the example they set every day. They're very professional. The off-ice part of it, their fitness and the way they stay on top of things. Hopefully, the young guys can look up to those guys and learn from them."
Like Dwyer, Angelidis is in his fourth season with Albany. He also wore an 'A' last year.
"I'm comfortable with it," Angelidis said. "Regardless of how young we are, I think we have some mature young players on the team and us older guys have to help them out and show them how to play certain situations and guide them through living away from home and little things like that in the transition, diet and getting rest and not partying all hours the day and night. Just be there to help the guys out."
Rodney and Carson were both given long looks in Carolina Hurricanes training camp before being returned to Albany, where they lead a solid defensive unit that will be the Rats' foundation until the young offensive guys get going.
"Anytime you get recognized as one of the leaders, it's a good feeling," Carson said. "We've got a young group in here, so I think for us older guys it's a little more important to kind of show the way and make them feel comfortable, and at the same time to push them a little bit at times and make sure they know it's not going to be easy this year. Hopefully I'll do a good job with it."
Said Rodney: "I guess a little bit more responsibility is always nice. I take it as a challenge. We've got a young group here so to be looked upon as one of the leaders is a real honor. It's not going to change the way I handle myself. I always took it as a responsibility of mine to help the young guys coming through because we were all young guys at one point starting out and I had those guys that were there for me along the way. I like to pass that on and hopefully they do the same when they're in my shoes."
********************
Line combinations from practice today were: Zach Boychuk-Brandon Sutter-Pat Dwyer; Drayson Bowman-Mike Angelidis-Nicolas Blanchard; Chris Terry-Nick Dodge-Jerome Samson; Steve Goertzen/Brad Herauf-Stefan Chaput-Harrison Reed.
Defensemen Jamie McBain, Benn Olson, Zack Fitzgerald, Brett Carson, Jonathan Paiement, Bryan Rodney and Brett Bellemore rotated through their pairings.
********************
Players have been breaking in the black pants and helmets they will wear on opening night, to go along with a special black sweater. The black uniforms are a modification of an earlier design that dates back to the Rats days as a New Jersey Devils affiliate. The Devs wouldn't allow Albany to wear an alternate jersey, so they were sold as souvenirs instead ..... In addition to the gaudy yellow charity auction sweaters the Rats will wear again this season, a special edition for games with the rival Adirondack Phantoms is also in the works ..... Injured forward Matthew Pistilli remains sidelined indefinitely. "I have two extra guys, one extra forward and one extra 'D', so from a body standpoint, we're all set for this weekend," Daniels said. "He's just day to day. He tried to skate today but he didn't feel great, so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him."
Dwyer, 26, is in his fourth season with the Rats, and will have worn the captain's 'C' in parts of three of them. Current assistant coach Geordie Kinnear is the only Albany player to be captain for three full seasons (1996-99).
"It's an honor and it's something I strive to be, a leader on this team," Dwyer said following practice this morning. "At the same time, in developing these kids, I have to make sure I just play my game and go out there and do what I do and lead by example. I'm not a huge overly vocal guy so I'm just trying to show these kids what it takes to be a professional."
Forward Mike Angelidis will be Dwyer's full-time alternate; defenseman Brett Carson (home games) and Bryan Rodney (road games) will share alternate's duties.
"They set the tone for practice every day," Daniels said. "They lead by example more. They're not big rah-rah guys, and that's what I told them. I don't want them to change what they do and how they play. I picked them because of the example they set every day. They're very professional. The off-ice part of it, their fitness and the way they stay on top of things. Hopefully, the young guys can look up to those guys and learn from them."
Like Dwyer, Angelidis is in his fourth season with Albany. He also wore an 'A' last year.
"I'm comfortable with it," Angelidis said. "Regardless of how young we are, I think we have some mature young players on the team and us older guys have to help them out and show them how to play certain situations and guide them through living away from home and little things like that in the transition, diet and getting rest and not partying all hours the day and night. Just be there to help the guys out."
Rodney and Carson were both given long looks in Carolina Hurricanes training camp before being returned to Albany, where they lead a solid defensive unit that will be the Rats' foundation until the young offensive guys get going.
"Anytime you get recognized as one of the leaders, it's a good feeling," Carson said. "We've got a young group in here, so I think for us older guys it's a little more important to kind of show the way and make them feel comfortable, and at the same time to push them a little bit at times and make sure they know it's not going to be easy this year. Hopefully I'll do a good job with it."
Said Rodney: "I guess a little bit more responsibility is always nice. I take it as a challenge. We've got a young group here so to be looked upon as one of the leaders is a real honor. It's not going to change the way I handle myself. I always took it as a responsibility of mine to help the young guys coming through because we were all young guys at one point starting out and I had those guys that were there for me along the way. I like to pass that on and hopefully they do the same when they're in my shoes."
********************
Line combinations from practice today were: Zach Boychuk-Brandon Sutter-Pat Dwyer; Drayson Bowman-Mike Angelidis-Nicolas Blanchard; Chris Terry-Nick Dodge-Jerome Samson; Steve Goertzen/Brad Herauf-Stefan Chaput-Harrison Reed.
Defensemen Jamie McBain, Benn Olson, Zack Fitzgerald, Brett Carson, Jonathan Paiement, Bryan Rodney and Brett Bellemore rotated through their pairings.
********************
Players have been breaking in the black pants and helmets they will wear on opening night, to go along with a special black sweater. The black uniforms are a modification of an earlier design that dates back to the Rats days as a New Jersey Devils affiliate. The Devs wouldn't allow Albany to wear an alternate jersey, so they were sold as souvenirs instead ..... In addition to the gaudy yellow charity auction sweaters the Rats will wear again this season, a special edition for games with the rival Adirondack Phantoms is also in the works ..... Injured forward Matthew Pistilli remains sidelined indefinitely. "I have two extra guys, one extra forward and one extra 'D', so from a body standpoint, we're all set for this weekend," Daniels said. "He's just day to day. He tried to skate today but he didn't feel great, so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him."
Veteran Jones arrives in Glens Falls
Defenseman Randy Jones, who cleared NHL waivers at noon Monday, has reported to the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms.
Jones, 28, arrived in Glens Falls on Wednesday night and was at the Glens Falls Civic Center today, though he didn't take part in practice.
"He wasn't on the ice because his skates didn't come with him when he left Philly," Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert said. "He will be on the ice with us tomorrow."
Never drafted, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Jones has played 217 NHL games for the Philadelphia Flyers since leaving Clarkson University following the 2002-03 season. The New Brunswick native also has 147 AHL games for their former farm team in Philadelphia.
His addition lends some much-needed experience to a mostly young defensive corps that includes highly regarded rookies Kevin Marshall and Marc-Andre Bourdon and second-year pro Michael Ratchuk.
"He's a good kid, and he's a good player," Gilbert said. "He's down here to work to get back to where he used to be. We expect some leadership out of him, and I'm sure he's going to provide that."
Adirondack opens the season at home on Saturday night against Worcester.
********************
There were several roster moves today. Forward Tomas Sinisalo was released from his training camp tryout, and defenseman David Sloane was reassigned to the Flyers' ECHL affliliate, the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings.
In addition, the Flyers recalled Bourdon and goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak from Adirondack, leaving the AHL roster at 24 players. Goalie Johan Backlund was summoned to Philadelphia earlier this week.
Jones, 28, arrived in Glens Falls on Wednesday night and was at the Glens Falls Civic Center today, though he didn't take part in practice.
"He wasn't on the ice because his skates didn't come with him when he left Philly," Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert said. "He will be on the ice with us tomorrow."
Never drafted, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Jones has played 217 NHL games for the Philadelphia Flyers since leaving Clarkson University following the 2002-03 season. The New Brunswick native also has 147 AHL games for their former farm team in Philadelphia.
His addition lends some much-needed experience to a mostly young defensive corps that includes highly regarded rookies Kevin Marshall and Marc-Andre Bourdon and second-year pro Michael Ratchuk.
"He's a good kid, and he's a good player," Gilbert said. "He's down here to work to get back to where he used to be. We expect some leadership out of him, and I'm sure he's going to provide that."
Adirondack opens the season at home on Saturday night against Worcester.
********************
There were several roster moves today. Forward Tomas Sinisalo was released from his training camp tryout, and defenseman David Sloane was reassigned to the Flyers' ECHL affliliate, the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings.
In addition, the Flyers recalled Bourdon and goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak from Adirondack, leaving the AHL roster at 24 players. Goalie Johan Backlund was summoned to Philadelphia earlier this week.
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