Don’t count the Devils out just yet. After a slow start to the week, the team has got their offensive touch back, taking two out of three wins on the week and staying in the race for the final playoff spot.
Game #4 of the homestand came Wednesday, as Albany hosted the Admirals for the first time all season. And much like Sunday, it was another struggle on both sides to get a goal. The Devils did outshoot Norfolk 14-7 in the first, but couldn’t get anything into the net. Second period was more of the same defensive struggle, with the only action being two fights breaking out within 1:24 of each other. But with 3:06 to go in the period, Norfolk struck first, or did they? About 3 Ads were surrounding Scott Clemmensen’s net, and one of them was able to bat the puck in behind him. It looked like goaltender interference, so the referees went to the video…and it was called a good goal (of course they did). Stefan Noesen was given credit for the tally. Albany had a golden opportunity to tie things up with a late period/early third period 5 on 3 opportunity, but could not get the job done. Two more power play opportunities and an empty net situation followed, but still no offense. And the Devils were shutout for a second straight game, extending the scoreless drought to 125 minutes and 3 seconds. Clemmensen played outstanding in the loss, stopping 25 of 26 shots.
Highlights:
Lines:
Reid Boucher-Tim Sestito-Mike Sislo
Stefan Matteau-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Chris McKelvie-Graham Black-Darcy Zajac
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Cam Janssen
Extra: Joe Whitney, Kelly Zajac, David Wohlberg, Matt Lorito
Defense:
Seth Helgeson/Reece Scarlett
Brandon Burlon/Corbin McPherson
Dan Kelly/Raman Hrabarenka
Extra: Joe Faust
Friday: The second ATO of the season has arrived–and the Devils didn’t have to go very far to find him. Union College forward Max Novak, a native of New Jersey, becomes the third UC alum to suit up for the Devils (Keith Kinkaid and Kelly Zajac the other two). In 35 games this season, he notched 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) and had a +3 rating. His most memorable goal came last season, as he scored the game winner in Union’s 7-4 national championship win over Minnesota in Philadelphia. For his four year career, he has a total of 96 points (43 goals, 53 assists) in 141 games.
Saturday: With Mike Cammalleri out due to the flu and Patrik Elias suffering from back spasms, both Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau were recalled under emergency conditions to New Jersey…only to both be scratched for the Devils 3-0 shutout loss to the Islanders. They were both returned to Albany then recalled under regular conditions.
After Norfolk made a quick journey west to Binghamton on Friday (and lost 4-3 to the Senators), it was back to the Capital Region on Saturday for the rematch. And finally, the Devils sleeping offense came to life. Brandon Burlon finally broke Albany’s long scoreless drought early in the first period with his sixth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal for Albany in a span of 127 minutes and 40 seconds. But Chris Wagner would tie it up midway through the period with a power play goal. Then the Devils were forced to play shorthanded yet again as Dan Kelly took a 5 minute major and game misconduct for boarding Norfolk’s Mike Sgarbossa…but Wagner was called for roughing (and also fighting Kelly) on the same incident, creating a 4 on 3/4 on 4/Norfolk major power play situation. And they would capitalize on that, taking a 2-1 lead on a Jaycob Megna goal. The Devils would kill off the rest and mount a rally in the second period. Raman Hrabarenka (6th) and Chris McKelvie (3rd) would score 3:04 apart midway through for a 3-2 Devil lead. But John Kurtz would re-tie the game up just before the second ended. The game remained deadlocked late…until another long drought was broken. Matt Lorito, finally making his pro debut, scored on a power play with 5:21 remaining in regulation to put the Devils ahead 4-3. It was their first power play goal since March 1st, snapping an 0-for-27 drought. Albany survived an extra attacker late and held on for the win, breaking a 3 game winless skid and jumping from 12th to 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. Scott Wedgewood picked up win #10, stopping 24 of 27 shots. It was a balanced offensive attack for the Devils on this day: Burlon and Graham Black added two assists, while McKelvie, Hrabarenka, Seth Helgeson, and Rod Pelley each had helpers.
Highlights:
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Tim Sestito-Matt Lorito-Mike Sislo
David Wohlberg-Rod Pelley-Darcy Zajac
Chris McKelvie-Graham Black-Cam Janssen
Extra: Kelly Zajac, Ben Thomson, Max Novak
Defense:
Dan Kelly/Raman Hrabarenka
Brandon Burlon/Corbin McPherson
Seth Helgeson/Reece Scarlett
Extra: Joe Faust
Sunday: As a result of his major/game misconduct penalty on Saturday, Dan Kelly was given a one game suspension and had to sit out Sunday’s home game against Hartford.
The long homestand finally came to an end on Sunday afternoon, as the Devils played host to the Wolfpack. After a physical start, the visitors got on the board late in the first on a very lucky bounce off the stick of Joey Crabb for a 1-0 lead. Carl Klingberg would double the lead late in the second period, and the way things were going for Albany it looked like another blow to their fading playoff hopes. But then the third period happened. Paul Thompson would get Albany on the board just 1:02 in with a power play tally (yes another one!), then exactly one minute later Mike Sislo would tie it up. On another power play opportunity later, Scott Timmins would put the Devils ahead with his 8th goal. Just 1:04 later, Raman Hrabarenka would add another power play goal for a 4-2 lead. Oscar Lindberg would make things interesting late with a goal to put Hartford within one, but Tim Sestito would finish it off with an empty netter. Lost in the comeback and tying a franchise record with 5 goals in a period was another good outing from Scott Clemmensen, who only needed to stop 15 of 18 shots to pick up the win. 10 Devil skaters had at least one point, with Sislo’s one goal/two assist performance leading the way.
Highlights:
Lines:
Joe Whitney-Scott Timmins-Paul Thompson
Tim Sestito-Matt Lorito-Mike Sislo
David Wohlberg-Rod Pelley-Ben Thomson
Chris McKelvie-Graham Black-Cam Janssen
Extra: Kelly Zajac, Darcy Zajac, Max Novak
Defense:
Brandon Burlon/Corbin McPherson
Seth Helgeson/Joe Faust
Reece Scarlett/Raman Hrabarenka
Extra: Dan Kelly
Conference Standings:
After Sunday’s action, here’s where everything stands in the East:
8. Springfield–75 points
9. Worcester–74
10. Albany–69
11. St. John’s–69
12. Lehigh Valley–65
13. Binghamton–64
The magic number to clinch stands at 32, while the tragic number is 17.
Pop Quiz: It’s a 2 part question this week. Who holds the Albany AHL record for the best plus/minus rating for one season? And who has the worst? Both answers are coming up.
Obligatory Fight of the Week:
Two for the price of one this week, because finally there’s video proof! First up, Dan Kelly from Wednesday evening’s festivities:
Not long after that, it was Chris McKelvie’s turn in the ring, so to speak.
My Player of the Week:
The last two days have given quite a few candidates to choose from, so this week it’s being split. Good to see Chris McKelvie break out with a goal and two assists, and both Brandon Burlon and Raman Hrabarenka had good offensive showings from the blue line. Honorable mention to Matt Lorito for producing the game winner in his pro debut, hopefully the first of many goals to come.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Paul Thompson (26)
Assists: Joe Whitney (27)
Points: Paul Thompson (46)
+/-: Graham Black (+11)
Penalty Minutes: Dan Kelly (123)
Wins: Scott Wedgewood (10)
GAA: Scott Clemmensen (2.53)
Save Percentage: Scott Clemmensen (.906)
ECHL Update:
Myles Bell (Evansville): 41 GP, 10 G, 9 A, 19 Pts, -22, 25 PIM
Eric Baier (Orlando): 45 GP, 7 G, 11 A, 18 Pts, +8, 20 PIM
Mike Keenan (Orlando): 36 GP, 0 G, 10 A, 10 Pts, +4, 30 PIM
Ben Johnson (Orlando): 8 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts, +7, 0 PIM
Maxime Clermont (Orlando): 18 GP, 9-6-0, 2.96 GAA, .900 Save Pct.
Injury Update: The only questions right now are the brothers Zajac, as Kelly is still nursing a nagging lower body injury. Darcy sat out Sunday’s win and was the only player not in attendance for the team postgame autograph session, so not sure of his status.
This Week’s Schedule: A quick two game schedule for the Devils this week. Just a ten hour bus ride to Norfolk awaits them, that’s all. Friday and Saturday evening they close out their March slate by making their last trip ever to Virginia to take on the Admirals. And if the two games this week were any indication…buckle up boys and girls.
Pop Quiz Answer: This week we’re looking at plus/minus ratings in Albany history. The best belongs to Scott Pellerin, who was a +43 for the 1995-96 River Rats. The worst is actually a tie: Jiri Bicek and Joel Bouchard both finished a -30 for the 2001-02 River Rats.
Thoughts Inside The Box 