The Weekly Primer, Issue 6

Quick Hits:

-The Devils begin the week with a record of 6-3-2-0, 14 points, and a .636 percentage.  They sit in second place in the North Division, 4 wins and 6 points behind first place Toronto.

-Forward Blake Coleman was suspended one game by the AHL on Tuesday for an “illegal check to the head” of an opponent during Friday’s game in Syracuse.  He will sit out Friday’s game in Providence.

-On the injury front: Paul Thompson is expected to return to the lineup at some point this weekend after sitting out since being boarded on October 25th.  Jim O’Brien, Marc Andre Gragnani, and Scott Wedgewood remain out.

Friday, 11/13 at Providence

Where: Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI.

When: 7:05 PM.

Season Series: First meeting of 6.  Future matchups: December 26th @ Albany; January 15th & February 5th @ Providence; February 9th & March 16th @ Albany

Know Your Opponent:

Record: 3-6-3-0, 9 points, .375 pct, 8th place in Atlantic Division

Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Alexander Khokhlachev, 13 points (4 G, 9 A); Tommy Cross, 7 points (0 G, 7 A); 4 tied with 6 points; Zane McIntyre, 2-2-3, 3.12 GAA; Malcolm Subban, 1-3-0, 4.27 GAA

Notes: The Bruins have dropped four straight entering the weekend, including a 4-3 loss to Bridgeport on Wednesday; Providence is without its top two scorers, rookie Frank Vatrano (on recall to Boston) and Alexander Khokhlachev (hand surgery); Max Talbot has a goal and 4 assists in 4 games since being sent down on October 28th; former River Rat Brett Bellemore has one assist in 12 games.

Listen: AHL Live

Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @AHLBruins

Saturday, 11/14 at Lehigh Valley

Where: PPL Center, Allentown, PA.

When: 7:05 PM.

Season Series: First meeting of 2.  Future matchup: January 9th @ Albany

Know Your Opponent:

Record: 5-8-0-0, 10 points, .385 pct, 7th place in Atlantic Division

Leading Scorers/Goaltending: 2 players tied with 11 points; Anthony Stolarz, 4-3-0, 2.02 GAA; Jason Labarbera, 1-5-0, 4.15 GAA

Notes: The Phantoms broke a 3 game losing skid with a win in Binghamton on Wednesday; they host Rochester on Friday evening before wrapping up a brief 2 game homestand; this is Albany’s only visit to Allentown of the season; former Union defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has 8 points in 13 games.

Listen: AHL Live, Fox Sports 1470 AM

Tweet: @AlbanyDevils, @LVPhantoms, @TonyAndrock_TCG

Sunday, 11/15 at Springfield

Where: Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA.

When: 5:00 PM.

Season Series: First meeting of 6.  Future matchups: November 20th @ Albany; November 28th & February 26th @ Springfield; March 22nd & April 2nd @ Albany

Know Your Opponent:

Record: 4-5-1-0, 9 points, .450 pct, 5th place in Atlantic Division

Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Dustin Jeffrey, 12 points (5 G, 7 A); 2 tied with 7 points; Louis Domingue, 3-2-1, 2.34 GAA; Tyler Beskorowany, 0-2-0, 3.55 GAA; Nicklas Treutle, 1-1-0, 3.00 GAA

Notes: After a 0-4-1-0 start to the season, the Falcons have won 4 out of their last 5 going into this week; Springfield is finishing up a 3 in 3 weekend, hosting Utica on Friday and traveling to Binghamton on Saturday; Falcons leading scorer Dustin Jeffrey was recently sent down by the Coyotes after appearing in 1 game, picking up an assist against Anaheim on Monday.

Listen: AHL Live, WHYN 560 AM

Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @TheFalconsAHL, @KatyLovesHockey