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Herauf, Weston Lead Albany To 2-1 Win In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Rookie forwards Brad Herauf and Ryan Weston each scored goals in the third period as the Albany River Rats came from behind to beat the Philadelphia Phantoms 2-1 Saturday night at Wachovia Spectrum.

There was no sign of weariness from the River Rats, who had to travel more than 300 miles after last night’s loss in Norfolk. Albany out-played the Phantoms in the opening period, dishing out crunching body checks and throwing lots of pucks on goaltender Scott Munroe’s net. However, Munroe played a solid first period and the Rats had nothing to show for their pressure as the frame ended scoreless.

Albany continued its assault on Munroe in the second period, but the Phantoms’ netminder was equal to all of the shots he faced. Against the run of play Philadelphia got on the board when Josh Beaulieu scored his first goal of the season at 6:51, poking the puck into the River Rats net while goaltender Daniel Manzato was down on the ice. Albany maintained the pressure, but found themselves baffled by Munroe and trailing 1-0 after forty minutes.

Time began to tick away on the River Rats in the third period, but the visitors did not relent on their pressure. The breakthrough finally came from an unlikely source as rookie call-up Brad Herauf scored his first career AHL goal at 11:05, assisted by Josef Melichar and recent call-up Matt Auffrey, tying the game at 1-1. Another River Rats rookie was responsible for giving Albany the lead as four minutes later Ryan Weston skated down the right wing and snapped a wrist shot passed the catching glove of Munroe and into the top right corner of the net. Weston’s fifth goal of the season gave the Rats a 2-1 lead at 15:20, assisted by Joe Jensen, and turned out to be the game-winning goal. The Phantoms pulled Munroe with 90 seconds remaining, but Manzato held his ground for Albany’s first road win at the Spectrum since November 3, 2007.

Daniel Manzato made 26 saves on 27 shots to record his 11th win of the season as Albany improved to 20-23-3-2 on the year. Scott Munroe blocked 26-of-28 shots in the losing effort as the Phantoms fell to 26-20-1-1 this season. The River Rats out-shot Philadelphia 28-27 in the game and went 0-for-7 on the power play; the Phantoms were 0-for-4 on the man-advantage.

Albany now has a week before their next game, as they will host the Portland Pirates on Saturday, February 7th for a 5:00 pm face off at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

River Rats flex ticket packages and individual game tickets are on sale now at the River Rats office and the Times Union Center Box Office. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.


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