Quick Hits:
-Albany begins the week on a 5 game losing streak (0-3-2-0), their record 23-11-6-0…good for 52 points and a .650 percentage. They remain in second place in the North Division, 18 points behind first place Toronto.
-With two defensemen out sick, Marc Andre Gragnani was recalled under emergency conditions on Tuesday, and Sergey Kalinin was sent down as a paper transaction to make room. But Gragnani never got in to New Jersey’s 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh, as both Adam Larsson and David Schlemko were able to play.
-And with New Jersey starting its All Star break last night…Gragnani, Seth Helgeson, Reid Boucher and Joe Blandisi were all sent down Wednesday morning, with Kalinin being recalled.
-Injury update: Matt Lorito (ankle) is expected back in the lineup this week after sitting out both St. John’s games on Friday and Saturday. Max Novak (hand/ankle) is doubtful.
Wednesday, 1/27 vs. Hershey
Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.
When: 7:00 PM.
Season Series: First meeting of 2. Future matchup: March 26th @ Hershey
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 22-13-2-6, 52 points, .605 pct, 3rd place in Atlantic Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Chris Bourque, 42 points (20 G, 22 A); Paul Carey, 29 points (13 G, 16 A); 2 with 26 points; Dan Ellis, 13-6-3, 2.59 GAA; Justin Peters, 9-6-5, 2.99 GAA
Notes: The Bears spent the weekend snowed in, as 30 inches of snow in the area postponed games on Saturday (rescheduled for Monday) against the Phantoms and Sunday vs. the Sound Tigers; Hershey has won 4 of their last 6, including a shutout against Binghamton on Friday; former Devil Scott Gomez signed a pro tryout on January 15th and has a goal and 4 assists in 4 games; defenseman Connor Carrick and forward Chris Bourque are the Bears All Star representatives; the Bears lead the league in shootouts with 8, going 2-6 with the most recent loss to Lehigh Valley on Monday in the makeup game from Saturday.
Listen: AHL Live, Fox Sports 1460
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @TheHersheyBears
Friday, 1/29 vs. Utica
Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.
When: 7:00 PM.
Season Series: Albany leads 3-1.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 18-17-3-3, 42 points, .512 pct, 5th place in North Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Hunter Shinkaruk, 31 points (16 G, 15 A); 2 tied with 21 points; Richard Bachman, 7-7-3, 2.54 GAA; Joe Cannata, 10-9-2, 2.65 GAA
Notes: The Comets have dropped their last two after being swept by the Marlies in Toronto over the weekend, being outscored 11-3 in the process; forward Darren Archibald will miss Friday’s matchup after being suspended one game by the AHL on Monday for a boarding call in Sunday’s game; the Comets host Rochester on Saturday before starting the All Star break.
Listen: AHL Live, K-Rock 94.9 FM
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @UticaComets, @CometsInGame
Saturday, 1/30 @ Bridgeport
Where: Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT.
When: 7:00 PM.
Season Series: Tied at 1.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 20-19-2-1, 43 points, .512 pct, 6th place in Atlantic Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Joe Whitney, 33 points (14 G, 19 A); Bracken Kearns, 32 points (13 G, 19 A); Taylor Beck, 19 points (11 G, 8 A); Christopher Gibson, 11-8-3, 2.36 GAA; Jean-Francois Berube, 1-1-0, 2.30 GAA; Parker Milner, 1-2-0, 3.05 GAA
Notes: Like the Bears, the Sound Tigers full weekend slate was snowed out, their last game an overtime victory over St. John’s at home on Wednesday; they host Springfield on Wednesday and travel north to Hartford on Friday; Joe Whitney is out for the remainder of the season after getting injured on January 15th, yet still leads the team in scoring and is still in the league top 20…he had been selected as one of two Bridgeport All Star representatives (the other defenseman Ryan Pulock).
Listen: AHL Live
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @TheSoundTigers, @fornabaioctp
Thoughts Inside The Box 