Rats back on playoff track

With the River Rats just one point away from clinching a playoff spot, coach Jeff Daniels talks with the Albany Times Union about prepping for the remainder of the season. 

Dwyer's fire raising Canes

Former Albany captain Pat Dwyer is the centerpiece of an excellent article in his hometown newspaper the Great Falls Tribune. 

Rats weekly

The usual weekly recap is available at the Rats' website.

Rats cage Falcons, 5-1

Post-game coverage:

• Albany cruises past Falcons 5-1, AlbanyRiverRats.com
  
• Rats magic number for playoffs reduced to one, Albany Times Union
  
• Springfield Falcons fall to River Rats, 5-1, MassLive.com
• Falcons fall to River Rats 5-1, FalconsAHL.com
  
• Official scoresheet, TheAHL.com
  

Albany, Devils close to agreement

Sources tell the Troy Record a deal to bring the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils back to Albany is close to being inked. 

UPDATE: Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello says the report is not true and the team's first priority is to stay in Lowell. Read more at Fire & Ice. 

UPDATE: The Troy Record covers the latest. 

Rats crumble Crunch, 5-2

Post-game coverage:

• Dalpe's hat trick leads Albany past Crunch, AlbanyRiverRats.com
  
• River Rats stop Syracuse 5-2, WNYT-13 Albany
  
• Dalpe does trick for Rats, Albany Times Union
  
• Hats off to Dalpe, Schenectady Daily Gazette
  
• Rats bite crunch in last game of rivalry, Syracuse Post-Standard
  
• Crunch fall to Albany, SyracuseCrunch.com
• Official scoresheet, TheAHL.com

News & Notes

• Pistilli chosen as Rats' nominee for 'Man of the Year', Albany Times Union
  
• Rodney strikes for first NHL goal, Raleigh News & Observer
  
• Canes' lineup overflowing with Rats, Raleigh News & Observer
  
• Boychuk now on 'Big & Staal' line, Raleigh News & Observer
  
• Disciplined Sutter having unique season, CarolinaHurricanes.com
  
• Morrison finally getting his shot in Albany, TheAHL.com
  
• Robb pitches in to help Albany attract AHL team, Albany Times Union
  
• Devils close to returning to Albany, Troy Record
• Hurricanes reassign Justin Peters to Albany, AlbanyRiverRats.com
  

Rats pummel Phantoms, 6-2

Post-game coverage:

• Samson's hat trick leads Rats past Phantoms, AlbanyRiverRats.com
  
• Rats a winner with Samson, Albany Times Union
  
• Rats notes 'n quotes: Conboy's return welcomed, Albany Times Union
  
• River Rats rout Phantoms, Troy Record
  
• Rats 6, Phantoms 2: Notes; Samson's first hat trick; fight night, Schenectady Daily Gazette
  
• Albany's Phantom-killers strike again, Glens Falls Post-Star
  
• Official scoresheet, TheAHL.com
  

Bowman gets the call

The Carolina Hurricanes yesterday recalled rookie forward Drayson Bowman from the Albany River Rats.

Canes' forward Tuomo Ruutu is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery and will be out for the remainder of the season.

Bowman returns to Carolina for the second time, having appeared in his first NHL contest on January 16 against the Atlanta Thrashers. 

Bowman has tallied 32 points (17 G, 15 A) in 56 games this season with Albany. 

The Hurricanes play tonight at home against the Washington Capitals.

Q&A with Jeff Daniels

Coach Jeff Daniels talks with Cory Lavalette at Canes Country about the latest influx of talent, the graduation of players to the NHL, and the Rats' hunt for the playoffs. 

Rats reassign Pistilli, McNicoll

The Albany River Rats today reassigned forwards Matthew Pistilli and Cedric LaLonde-McNicoll to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. The Rats' website has the news. 

Rats hit the road

The team chats with Bill Cain at the Schenectady Daily Gazette about preparing for this week's three road games, including tomorrow night's rivalry matchup against Adirondack.