It was off to Canada for the weekend, as the Devils took on a new divisional neighbor north of the border, looking to break through into the win column. And not a bad weekend, getting that first win and taking 3 of a possible 4 points.
Yann Danis drew the start in net, while Dan Kelly, Ben Thomson and Matt Lorito each made their season debuts. Hitting the Ricoh Coliseum ice for the first time in nearly four years, both teams traded goals in the first period. Corey Tropp scored his first off of a tip in of a Dan Kelly shot 7:48 into the contest. 2014 1st rounder William Nylander would tie the game up late in the period for the home team. Barely two minutes into the second period, Mike Sislo would score on the power play for a 2-1 Devil lead. And with the strong play of Yann Danis in net, it looked like a Devil team may finally end up in the win column. Well…not so fast. The Marlies took over the game pace, outshooting Albany 14-3 in the third period. And with goaltender Antoine Bibeau pulled for a 6th attacker, Toronto would tie it up with 1:57 to go in regulation on a Byron Froese goal. It was on to the first 3 on 3 overtime of the season, where the Marlies would continue to dominate in their offensive zone, finishing off the comeback with 1:22 to go in the extra frame on a T.J. Brennan goal to stay undefeated. Despite the hard luck loss, Danis played well for a second straight bad luck start, stopping 34 of 37 shots. Matt Lorito (in his first appearance of the season), Kelly, and Brandon Burlon all contributed helpers.
The Lineup:
Matt Lorito-Jim O’Brien-Paul Thompson
Ryan Kujawinski-Joe Blandisi-Mike Sislo
Blake Pietila-Blake Coleman-Corey Tropp
Chris McKelvie-Rod Pelley-Ben Thomson
Brandon Burlon/Dan Kelly
Marc-Andre Gragnani/Reece Scarlett
Seth Helgeson/Corbin McPherson
Yann Danis/Doug Carr
Out: Scott Wedgewood (inj), Max Novak (healthy), Graham Black (inj), Vojtech Mozik (inj), Raman Hrabarenka (healthy?), Pierre-Luc Leblond (healthy/vet rule)
Power Play: 1 for 5. Penalty Kill: 3 for 3. Penalty Minutes: 15. Shots on Goal: 21. Shots Allowed: 37.
Highlights:
About 21 hours later, it was back on ice as the Devils looked to get that first win and split the set with the Marlies. Vojtech Mozik made his North American debut on defense, while Graham Black made his first appearance. After a scoreless first period the Devils would get things going early in the second period. While on the penalty kill, Jim O’Brien would score his first as a Devil shorthanded for a 1-0 advantage. Thanks to a miscommunication between Yann Danis and Marc Andre Gragnani behind the Devil net, Matt Frattin would score easily to tie the game up at 1. Kasperi Kapanen would get a no doubter just over a minute later and suddenly it’s 2-1 Toronto. But Albany wasn’t done just yet…on a power play with 6 minutes to go in the period, Mike Sislo would score his second goal in as many days to re-tie the game. Then early in the third, Blake Pietila would score his first as a professional to give the Devils the lead back. Toronto had a golden opportunity to pull off what they did the day before, having a 6 on 4 for the last 1:30 of the contest, but Danis and the Devils would not allow it to happen, clinching their first victory of 2015-16. Danis had another strong performance in net, stopping 26 of 28 shots. Four Devils would contribute assists.
The Lineup:
Paul Thompson-Jim O’Brien-Matt Lorito
Mike Sislo-Joseph Blandisi-Corey Tropp
Blake Pietila-Graham Black-Max Novak
Chris McKelvie-Rod Pelley-Ben Thomson
Raman Hrabarenka/Marc-Andre Gragnani
Dan Kelly/Brandon Burlon
Seth Helgeson/Vojtech Mozik
Yann Danis/Doug Carr
Out: Scott Wedgewood (inj), Blake Coleman, Ryan Kujawinski, Reece Scarlett, Pierre-Luc Leblond, Corbin McPherson (healthy)
Power Play: 1 for 5. Penalty Kill: 6 for 6. Penalty Minutes: 12. Shots on Goal: 31. Shots Allowed: 28.
Highlights:
You can find them here courtesy of Leafs TV.
My Player of the Week:
The nod goes to Mike Sislo this week, for scoring twice on the power play in back to back days. Honorable mention to Blake Pietila for making his first pro goal a game winning one.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Mike Sislo (2)
Assists: 3 tied with 2
Points: 4 players tied with 2
+/-: Dan Kelly (+2)
Penalty Minutes: Corey Tropp (13)
Wins: Yann Danis (1)
GAA: Yann Danis (2.94)
Save Percentage: Yann Danis (.907)
The Vault:
This week’s throwback video features a pair of Devils during their college days. Here’s a big night for both Mike Sislo and Paul Thompson, playing for UNH against Vermont in December 2010 (with a cameo by former Devil Phil DeSimone as a bonus).
Up North with the Thunder:
Adirondack kicked off their inaugural ECHL season with a 4-1 win in Elmira on Friday. Ken Appleby had a strong pro debut in net, stopping 29 of 30 shots in picking up the win, while Joe Faust contributed an assist. The Thunder travel to Brampton on Friday before a home and home set with Manchester on Saturday (home) and Sunday (road).
The Week Ahead:
It’s the ever popular 3 in 3 weekend! Friday night the Devils wrap up their road trip in Portland, before finally opening the home season on Saturday against the Pirates. Sunday afternoon Binghamton comes in for their first visit of the season.
Thoughts Inside The Box 