The second 3 in 3 weekend of the season for Albany started off well, but home ice was not very kind to them. And when you only score three goals over 3 games, it doesn’t help much either. The result was 2 points out of 6 and not much ground gained in the division.
To start the weekend, it was due east for the Devils only visit to Rhode Island this season to take on the Bruins. After a relatively quiet first period that saw a combined 27 shots on goal (Albany had 14 of them), the hosts got on the board early in the second on a Jordan Caron power play goal. Darcy Zajac would tie the game up midway through the period with his third goal. Scott Timmins would give the Devils the lead late with a power play goal, his 6th. Just as that goal went in, Keith Kinkaid suddenly exited the game due to an equipment issue in favor of Scott Wedgewood, who finished the period with one save on one shot. But Kinkaid would rejoin the game at the start of the third period, and showed no ill effects in stopping all 8 Bruin shots. The Devils staved off a 6 on 4 late in the period to salvage their third straight win. Kinkaid finished with 28 saves in picking up his 7th win. Joe Whitney and both PTOs, Eric Baier and Mike Keenan (in his first appearance), each had assists.
Highlights via AHL Live are here.
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Paul Thompson-Scott Timmins
Graham Black-Tim Sestito-Reid Boucher
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Stefan Matteau
Darcy Zajac-David Wohlberg-Cam Janssen
Extra: Kelly Zajac, Chris McKelvie, Ben Johnson
Defense Pairings:
Mark Fraser/Eric Baier
Brandon Burlon/Joe Faust
Corbin McPherson/Mike Keenan
Extra: Peter Harrold, Dan Kelly, Reece Scarlett, Raman Hrabarenka
It was back to home ice on Saturday afternoon as the Devils faced off against former Lowell/A-Devil Mike McKenna and the Pirates. Tyler Gaudet would get the visitors on the board first late in the first period. But on an early power play in the second, Reid Boucher would tie the game up with his 4th. After that…it was all Portland, much like the November 22nd disaster in Binghamton. Eric Selleck and Evan Oberg would score 1:28 apart midway through the second for a 3-1 advantage. Third period was more of the same, as Corey Trivino, Darian Dziurzynski, and David Schlemko would all score in a 3:39 span to make it a rout. And the Devils simply could not come up with an answer on either side of the puck, and their 5 game point streak came to a screeching halt. Scott Wedgewood drew the start and stopped 21 of 27 shots, but did manage to pick up an assist on Boucher’s goal. And the boxscore, much like two weeks ago, was not pretty, as Mark Fraser, Joe Faust, and Joe Whitney all finished a -3.
Highlights: (again, watch at your own risk)
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Reid Boucher-Graham Black-Tim Sestito
Stefan Matteau-Rod Pelley-Ben Thomson
David Wohlberg-Darcy Zajac-Cam Janssen
Extra: Kelly Zajac, Chris McKelvie, Ben Johnson
Defense Pairings:
Mark Fraser/Eric Baier
Corbin McPherson/Mike Keenan
Brandon Burlon/Joe Faust
Extra: Peter Harrold, Dan Kelly, Reece Scarlett, Raman Hrabarenka
Sunday: After not reporting at all after being sent down on Thursday, Peter Harrold was recalled to New Jersey. And the recently waived Damien Brunner was sent down. Even though New Jersey is working on a trade for him, he will report to Albany for the time being. He last appeared on Thursday night in Toronto, getting an assist in the Devils win over the Maple Leafs. In 17 games he notched 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists).
To finish off the weekend, the Flames came in for their only visit of the season. And after the events of this one, it’s probably fortunate. After a very physical first part of the period (more on that later), Max Reinhart would get one in the corner of the net with 3 minutes remaining in the first for a 1-0 lead. Mark Fraser thought he tied the game on a nice shot from the point, but referee Ryan Murphy called it off due to a high stick that only he saw. Sadly, that was the closest the Devils would get to any kind of offense on the day, as Joni Ortio stopped all 28 shots in picking up the shutout, the third time this season Albany has been whitewashed. Keith Kinkaid played brilliantly but got stuck with the loss, stopping 24 of 25 shots.
Highlights:
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Reid Boucher-Graham Black-Stefan Matteau
Tim Sestito-Rod Pelley-Ben Thomson
Ben Johnson-Darcy Zajac-Cam Janssen
Extra: Kelly Zajac, Chris McKelvie, David Wohlberg, Damien Brunner
Defense Pairings:
Mark Fraser/Eric Baier
Corbin McPherson/Mike Keenan
Brandon Burlon/Joe Faust
Extra: Dan Kelly, Reece Scarlett, Raman Hrabarenka
Pop Quiz: This year’s Devils have already seen 31 different players suit up for at least one game. What Albany AHL season saw the most players make at least one appearance? The answer coming up.
Obligatory Fight of the Week:
So Cam and Trevor Gillies line up next to each other during the first period Sunday. And an instant classic ensues.
My Player of the Week:
For stopping 52 of 54 shots and keeping the Devils in it in both starts (even when he sat out 3 minutes for equipment issues), Keith Kinkaid is a slam dunk choice.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Paul Thompson (11)
Assists: Scott Timmins (13)
Points: Joe Whitney (20)
+/-: Paul Thompson (+10)
Penalty Minutes: Darcy Zajac (51)
Wins: Keith Kinkaid (7)
GAA: Keith Kinkaid (2.19)
Save Percentage: Keith Kinkaid (.923)
ECHL Update:
Myles Bell (Evansville): 18 GP, 8 G, 6 A, 14 Pts, 7 PIM
Alexandre Carrier (Orlando): 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts, 2 PIM
Maxime Clermont (Orlando): 9 GP, 5-3-0, 3.76 GAA, .873 Save Pct.
Injury Update:
No timetables for Kelly Zajac, Chris McKelvie, Reece Scarlett, or Dan Kelly. Raman Hrabarenka is out indefinitely.
This Week’s Schedule:
A very odd schedule this week. It starts on Thursday night, as Albany makes their third visit of the season to Hartford to take on the Wolfpack. Then after having both Friday and Saturday off, it’s one more visit to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Sunday afternoon to face the Phantoms.
Pop Quiz Answer: During the second season of Carolina’s affiliation with Albany, in 2007-08, a total of 62 players saw at least one game in a River Rat uniform. At one point, seven players were sent in from Elmira for a game in Bridgeport, after a good portion of the River Rat roster was suddenly struck by food poisoning (or as they were calling it, “the flu”) after a road trip…in Lowell. Oh the irony. (Side note: the smallest number was in 2000-01, when only 28 players suited up for at least one game for the River Rats.)
Thoughts Inside The Box 