Week 7 Primer

Devils Quick Hits:

-Albany begins the week at 7-4-1-3, good for 18 points and a third place tie with Hartford in the Northeast Division (and 6th in the Eastern Conference).

-There’s going to be a different looking team for this weekend’s slate compared to last week:

On Monday, a switch in goal, as Scott Clemmensen was recalled to New Jersey and Keith Kinkaid was sent down.  Clemmensen played well in his near 2 week stint, going 1-2-1 with a 2.18 GAA and one shutout.  Kinkaid made two relief appearances during his recall, going 0-1-0 with a 2.22 GAA.  Also, defenseman Peter Harrold was recalled for insurance during New Jersey’s western Canada trip.

Tuesday the AHL announced a pair of suspensions stemming from Saturday night’s loss in Portland.  Mark Fraser was handed a 3 game sentence for a check to the head call, while Paul Thompson received two games for a goalie interference incident after running full speed into Pirates goaltender Louis Domingue during the second period.  Both will serve their sentences this weekend, with Thompson returning on Sunday.

11/21, Game #16 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.

When: 7:00 PM.

Season Series: Albany leads 1-0.

Standings:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: 10-7-1-0, 21 points, 1st place in East Division

Penguins Leading Scorers/Goaltending:

Andrew Ebbett, 13 points (5 G, 8 A); 3 tied with 11 points

Jeff Zatkoff, 4-4-0-1, 2.22 GAA; Matt Murray, 4-3-1-1, 2.37 GAA

Notes:

-The Penguins rebounded from a 1-2 weekend to pick up a shutout win at home Wednesday night against Portland.

-Two of the top 5 PIM leaders in the league are Penguins: former Devil/River Rat Pierre-Luc Leblond and Bobby Farnham, who played a role in Darcy Zajac’s suspension the last time the two teams met.

-It’s the annual Word of Life night at the TU Center.  You’ve been warned, everyone.  But in all seriousness, this will mark the first home game with the chance for a substantial crowd, which may be a factor.

Listen: AHL Live, WILK 103.1

Twitter: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @nafsnep, @WBSPenguins

11/22, Game #17 at Binghamton

Where: Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, NY.

When: 7:00 PM.

Season Series: First meeting of 4.  Future matchups: March 1st and April 4th @ Albany; April 10th @ Binghamton

Standings:

Binghamton: 5-8-2-0, 12 points, tied for 4th place in East Division

Senators Leading Scorers/Goaltending:

Chris Wideman, 17 points (8 G, 9 A); Jean-Gabriel Pageau, 10 points (4 G, 6 A); Matt Puempel, 9 points (4 G, 5 A)

Andrew Hammond, 3-8-2-0, 3.49 GAA; Scott Greenham, 2-0-0-0, 2.14 GAA

Notes:

-The Senators are coming off a weekend split in Norfolk, winning 5-2 on the 14th and losing 3-2 on Saturday.  They will host Manchester on Friday night.

-Leading scorer Chris Wideman was named the AHL Player of the Month for October after an 11 point  (6 G, 5 A) in 9 game stretch.

-Local ties: Former A-Devil Brad Mills is listed on the roster, but has yet to make an appearance due to injury and a 20 game suspension issued in late October for violating the AHL’s substance abuse policy.

Listen: AHL Live, Oldies 96.9

Twitter: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @BSens_Hockey, @PSBSens, @PPPShow

11/23, Game #18 vs. Bridgeport

Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.

When: 3:00 PM.

Season Series: Bridgeport leads 4-1.

Standings:

Bridgeport: 10-4-0-1, 21 points, tied for 1st place in Northeast Division

Sound Tigers Leading Scorers/Goaltending:

2 players tied with 16 points

Kevin Poulin, 7-2-1-0, 2.23 GAA; David Leggio, 3-2-0-0, 3.02 GAA

Notes:

-The Sound Tigers are coming off a 2-1 weekend, sweeping Hartford in a home and home before losing to Springfield on home ice Sunday afternoon.  They travel to Springfield Friday and Hartford on Saturday.

-Bridgeport leads the AHL in goals per game with an even 4.00.  They also lead the league in first period goals (21) and are tied with Worcester for first in third period goals (22).

Listen: AHL Live

Twitter: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @TheSoundTigers