A little of everything this week for the Devils…seesaw battles on both sides, a sour ending, but then an exciting finish for a 1-0-0-1 record.
10/17 at Bridgeport: 5-4 L (SO)
Friday the Devils traveled south to start a weekend home and home series against an opponent they will be seeing quite a bit of during the first half of the season, the Sound Tigers. And things got started in a hurry, as Steve Bernier scored just 21 seconds into the game for a quick 1-0 lead. Johan Sundstrom would tie the game up just as the period was coming to a close. Scott Timmins would take the lead back just 1:34 into the second period with his first goal of the season. Bridgeport would answer with a power play goal by Anders Lee 34 seconds later. Raman Hrabarenka would steal the lead back again with his first of the year 15 seconds later. Of course the Sound Tigers would answer again with another tying goal 6 minutes later. Hrabarenka would respond again with his second of the day on a power play late in the second for a 4-3 Devils game. But in the third, Griffin Reinhart, in his first game with Bridgeport since being sent down by the Islanders, would tie the game again with his first goal. It was on to overtime and the first chance to see the new OT rules in actual game action. Both teams started out 4 on 4, but just before the whistle to signal the start of 3 on 3 action, Paul Thompson would get called for goaltender interference, creating a 4-on-3 advantage for Bridgeport. The Devils survived the kill and made it to the new 3 round shootout. Mike Sislo would score in the first round, but Reid Boucher and Thompson were both denied. Keith Kinkaid would only stop 1 of 3 Sound Tiger shooters to give the hosts the extra point, something that looked improbable during regulation. The Devils blew leads of 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and 4-3, survived overtime, but could not come up big in the shootout (sound familiar?). Kinkaid finished with 29 saves (against 33 shots). Five Devils would contribute assists.
Sound Tigers TV has the highlight reel.
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Reid Boucher-Kelly Zajac-Mike Sislo
Stefan Matteau-Tim Sestito-Steve Bernier
Ben Thomson-Darcy Zajac-Cam Janssen
Extra: Rod Pelley, Chris McKelvie, Ben Johnson, Graham Black, David Wohlberg
Defense Pairings:
Seth Helgeson/Corbin McPherson
Brandon Burlon/Peter Harrold
Dan Kelly/Raman Hrabarenka
Extra: Reece Scarlett, Joe Faust
For the first time since round 1 of the playoffs back in late April, it was back on home ice as the Devils tried to put the defeat the night before behind them. Scooter Vaughan would give Bridgeport the lead with under 6 minutes to go in the first period. But like the night before, the home team would respond shortly thereafter. Paul Thompson would score his fifth 2 minutes later to tie things up at 1. John Persson would give the Sound Tigers the 2-1 lead early in the third, but less than two minutes later, a Ben Thomson shot deflected into the Bridgeport net to tie the game at 2. Who actually got credit for the goal? Cam Janssen, who much like his stint in New Jersey last season, just happened to be in the right place at the right time. It was his first AHL goal since March 2013. As the end of regulation neared, Joe Whitney was sent to the box on a very questionable cross checking call, causing the Devils to be shorthanded through the end of the third. But Thompson would come to the rescue, stealing the puck, broke away shorthanded, and scored his second of the night with just 44 seconds remaining in regulation to give Albany the win in their 2014-15 home debut. Scott Wedgewood played well in his first start of the season, picking up the win and stopping 24 of 26 shots. Four Devils each had an assist.
Highlights:
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Rod Pelley-Tim Sestito-Steve Bernier
Reid Boucher-Mike Sislo-Kelly Zajac
Cam Janssen-Darcy Zajac-Ben Thomson
Extra: Stefan Matteau, Chris McKelvie, Ben Johnson, Graham Black, David Wohlberg, Myles Bell
Defense Pairings:
Raman Hrabarenka/Dan Kelly
Peter Harrold/Reece Scarlett
Seth Helgeson/Corbin McPherson
Extra: Brandon Burlon, Joe Faust
Pop Quiz: Who was the last A-Devil to win a game with an overtime goal? Stay tuned for the answer.
Obligatory Fight of the Week:
You could say Ben Thomson had a memorable pro debut Friday night…
My Player of the Week:
Seriously, where would this team be without Paul Thompson right now? I had said the first day of training camp that him, Joe Whitney, and Scott Timmins on one line was a good idea. Honorable mention to Raman Hrabarenka for a 2 goal, 2 assist week.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Paul Thompson (6)
Assists: Joe Whitney (4)
Points: Paul Thompson (7)
+/-: Seth Helgeson (+4)
Penalty Minutes: Dan Kelly (17)
Wins: Keith Kinkaid/Scott Wedgewood (1)
GAA: Scott Wedgewood (2.00)
Save Percentage: Keith Kinkaid (.926)
This Week’s Schedule:
Three games on tap this week. Tuesday night the Devils host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins first visit to the Capital Region since the 2012-13 season (both home games last season were in Atlantic City). Friday and Saturday is a home and home–and the first 2 of 10 matchups–against Hartford, Friday night in Connecticut and back on home ice Saturday afternoon.
Pop Quiz Answer: Joe Whitney was the last A-Devil to win a game in overtime. It happened way back on January 6, 2012, in Norfolk against the Admirals.
Thoughts Inside The Box 