Albany-Adirondack Pregame Notes #1

NOTE: Another back to back with an opponent, so it’ll go like this: Normal pregamer today, recap and short preview for the second game on Friday.

A few things you need to know before the Devils and Phantoms take to the Times Union Center ice:

-Season: This is the 10th of 12 meetings between the I-87 rivals, with the Devils holding a 5-4 lead in the quest for the Time Warner Cable Cup. Last meeting was on March 11th in Glens Falls, a 2-1 Devil victory. The two square off 2 more times, on April 1st and 6th in the North Country.

-Standings: The Phantoms begin the day in 8th place in the East Division with a record of 26-36-4-6 and 62 points. They trail Albany by just 3 points. The Devils stand in 7th with a 30-37-1-4 mark and 65 points, 2 points behind 6th place Syracuse.

-Scoring: Leading all Adirondack skaters is veteran Denis Hamel with 40 points (21 G, 19 A), followed by defenseman Danny Syvret with 38 points (9 G, 29 A combined with Adirondack and Syracuse). Lately former River Rat Michael Leighton has been the main starter over Johan Backlund, defeating both Hershey and Wilkes-Barre in a recent weekend stretch. He leads in wins with 11 despite only being in Adirondack since January 4th. On the home side…no changes at the top, Matt Anderson still leads the Devils with 50 points (21 G, 29 A), followed by Adam Henrique with 45 points (23 G, 22 A). Not sure who will be in net with Mike McKenna and Jeff Frazee flip flopping starts and relief stints, but here are a few numbers to share: McKenna has more wins (14-10), minutes (1,832-1,690), and saves (854-759), while Frazee has the lower GAA (2.84-3.50) higher save percentage (.905-.889), and more shutouts (2-1). So with the Devils basically playing out the string and everyone looking to 2011-12, it will be interesting to see who gets more time in net.

Game time: 7 PM. Due to work obligations I will not be in attendance but there will be updates as the night goes on. I promise it’s the last game I miss this season, I plan on being at every remaining home/away game.