Sens vs. River Rats 2/12/05 Articles: Rats put up valiant effort, but Sens rally
February 26, 2005

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Albany River Rats.com

RATS PUT UP VALIANT EFFORT, BUT SENS RALLY

February 25, 2005 - With WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield dropping the ceremonial puck and signing autographs, the Albany River Rats dropped a 5-3 decision to the Binghamton Senators on Friday, February 25. This was the first loss the Rats suffered after the All-Star Break.

The Senators went ahead 1-0 in a back and forth first period when superstar C Jason Spezza took a give-and-go pass from LW Brandon Bochenski and slipped a past G Ari Ahonen at 4:18. But the Rats tied the score when LW Ahren Nittel scored his trademark right circle one-timer on the power play, with LW Dean McAmmond, who was manning the point, and C Pascal Rheaume getting the assists.

The Spezza-Bochenski combination was back to torment the Rats, this time Spezza feeding Bochenski, who tapped it in from the same spot as the first goal. But Rheaume tied the score at 2-2, taking an elevated pass on the rush from C Zach Parise. D Bobby Allen got the secondary assist. Catching the Rats on a bad line change, the Sens broke in on a 4-on-2, and RW Antoinne Vermette beat Ahonen at 11:08 of the first. Shots on goal after the first period were 16-13 Rats.

After a scoreless second period, D Brian Pothier put the Sens up, 4-2, at the start of the third period. Albany made it a one goal game again when Rheaume deflected a McAmmond point shot with a delayed penalty on the Senators. The Rats stepped up the energy after that as D Steven Spencer laid out Vermette open ice, but couldn’t get the tying goal. LW Denis Hamel added an empty net goal to seal the victory.

The Rats take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers tomorrow night at 7:30. For more information, call 518-487-2244.