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Albany River Rats Notebook

The Albany River Rats have won three of their last four games and are 10-4-1-0 in their last 15. News, notes and storylines heading into this week's action:

*The River Rats are 18-14-2-0 (.559) for 38 points after 34 games, a 16-point improvement over last season (10-22-0-2). They begin the week in fourth place in the East Division, 13 points in back of third-place Norfolk but with two games in hand and eight head-to-head meetings with the Admirals over the final 46 games of the regular season. Albany enters the week with an eight-point advantage over fifth-place Bridgeport.

*The River Rats recorded their 18th victory December 31 with a 7-3 win at Bridgeport in their 34th game - the fastest the club has reached 18 wins since 1998-99 (29th game). The River Rats did not record their 18th win last season until their 50th game.

*At 18-14-2-0, the River Rats are four games above .500 for the first time since the 1998-99 season. The last time the River Rats were as many as four games above .500 gas prices were 1.03 per gallon, Saving Private Ryan was the top grossing movie, the Titanic rose and Paul Simon's Broadway play Capeman sank faster than the legendary ship.

*Goaltender Tyler Weiman has a current six-game winning streak dating to November 25. He has gone 10-1-0 with a 2.13 goals-against average and .928 save percentage since November 3, stopping 346 of 371 shots faced. The third-year pro has recorded eight of the club's 10 road wins.

*Left wing Ryan Bayda registered a career-high, four points (three goals, one assist) December 31 at Bridgeport. It was the second career hat trick for Bayda (October 13, 2003 vs. Worcester) and his first multiple-goal effort since January 29, 2006 at Hamilton, a span of 50 games.

*Right wing Shane Willis accrued a franchise record-tying five points (two goals, three assists) December 31 at Bridgeport. He has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his last eight games. Willis leads the River Rats in goals (13) and is tied with Pat Dwyer for the club lead in first goals (four).

*Center Ben Guite earned points in 12 of 13 games in December, recording a team-leading 17 points (five goals, 12 assists). He tied for eighth in assists and 11th in points in the AHL during the month.

*Defenseman Johnny Boychuk has scored seven goals in his last 10 games after going the first 24 games of the season without scoring. His seven goals are a new career high, surpassing the six he scored last season while playing for Lowell (AHL). The third-year pro has compiled the second best plus/minus rating in the AHL (+15) since November 3.

*Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey, recalled December 28 by Colorado, made his NHL debut January 1 in the Avalanche's 5-3 win at Nashville. The 20-year-old first-year pro played 22 shifts totaling 11:13 of ice time (9:04 even strength, 2:09 power play), recording a blocked shot and a plus-1 rating.

ALBANY RIVER RATS UPCOMING GAMES

Albany River Rats vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

When: Friday, January 5 at Times Union Center, 7 p.m.

Radio/Internet: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM (WTMM) & B2 Networks.

Promotions: Total Tan Night. One lucky person will win FREE tanning for an entire year!

Season Series: River Rats lead 2-0-0-0; 0-0-0-0 at Times Union Center.

Last Meeting: Albany won 7-3 December 31 at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

Noteworthy: The Sound Tigers enter the week in fifth place in the East Division with 30 points (13-16-1-3), eight behind fourth-place Albany...Bridgeport has lost four straight games and seven of its last eight, scoring a mere 15 goals while allowing 35 over that stretch...LW Jeff Tambellini, a first-round pick by Los Angeles in 2003, leads the Sound Tigers in goals (17), points (32), power play goals (five) and plus/minus (+6)...C Frans Nielsen has a current nine-game point (4-8-12) dating to December 16. He ranks second on the club in goals (10) and is tied for third in points (23)...D Jamie Fraser, who recently joined the team from South Carolina (ECHL), is the nephew of NHL referee Kerry Fraser...G Michael Mole (1-5-0, 3.78 GAA and .885 SPCT) has started each of the Sound Tigers last four games and six of their last seven.

Albany River Rats vs. Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

When: Saturday, January 6 at Times Union Center, 7 p.m.

Radio/Internet: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM (WTMM) & B2 Networks.

Promotions: Showstopper Saturday! Post-game autograph session with the entire team!

Season Series: River Rats lead 1-0-0-0; 0-0-0-0 at Times Union Center Last Meeting: Albany won 3-2 November 11 at Van Andel Arena.

Notes: The Griffins make their first-ever visit to the Capital Region as they complete a two-game season series with the River Rats...Grand Rapids enters the week in fourth place in the North Division with 36 points (15-15-4-2), seven points in back of third-place Manitoba and just three points in front of fifth-place Toronto, and is coming off back-to-back shutout wins over Hamilton and Rochester after posting just one win over a seven-game stretch December 15-29 (1-4-2-0)...The Griffins have allowed only one goal in their last 183:49 of regulation time, and two goals in the last 186.49 overall...C Kip Miller has recorded points (5-6-11) in seven of his last nine games and leads Grand Rapids in goals (15), points (39) and power play goals (eight)...D Jonathan Ericsson, a ninth-round pick by Detroit in 2002, is having a solid rookie season with 17 points (3-14-17) and a team-leading plus-10 rating in 33 games...G Jimmy Howard (12-12-1, 2.89 GAA, .912 SPCT) has seen the bulk of the action between the pipes, appearing in 28 of the club's 36 games.