Only one game on the schedule this week before the Devils got a much deserved break for Christmas and…let’s just say the extra point is good!
Back in the Capital Region to kick off a three game homestand, the Devils would welcome in the Senators for the third time in a span of 17 days. Albany would find themselves in a bit of a situation just 3:58 into the contest, after Ben Thomson was given the early exit after a kneeing major along the boards. The Devils were able to kill off the ensuing 5 minute penalty (after a 4 for 4 for the first 2:00), but found themselves in a 1-0 hole after a goal by Jack Rodewald. Less than three minutes later, Kevin Rooney’s seventh goal of the season would tie things up at 1. Rod Pelley would add his sixth late in the first to put Albany ahead 2-1…and everything just went up from there. In the second, Petr Straka would pick up his second 7:35 in for a 3-1 advantage, a goal that would chase Binghamton goaltender Chris Driedger out of the net in favor of Scott Greenham. Brian Gibbons would welcome him to the game by adding a power play marker for a commanding 4-1 lead. In the third…the floodgates opened and the rout was on. First, Jan Mandat would score his third goal of the season less than two minutes in. Then Blake Coleman, who has been on a tear as of late, would score twice in a 3:54 span. The benefactor of all this offense? Ken Appleby, who only had to stop 18 of 19 shots in picking up his team leading 6th win. Carter Camper would finally return to the lineup for the first time in nearly two months and had two shots. Eleven different skaters would register at least one point, with Coleman (2 G, 1 A) and Mandat (1 G, 2 A) leading the way. It was the biggest offensive output of the season, and the most goals scored by a Devil team since February 27, 2015, when they put up 7 against Syracuse.
Lines:
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Blake Pietila-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
Jan Mandat-Kevin Rooney-Petr Straka
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Max Novak
Defense:
Steve Santini/Reece Scarlett
Vojtech Mozik/Yohann Auvitu
Josh Jacobs/Karl Stollery
Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratches: Seth Helgeson, Andrew MacWilliam, Joe Blandisi, Ryan Kujawinski, Scott Wedgewood, Brandon Gormley
Power Play: 1 for 3. Penalty Kill: 3 for 3. Penalty Minutes: 29. Shots on Goal: 25. Shots Allowed: 19.
3 Stars: 1. Blake Coleman; 2. Jan Mandat; 3. Brian Gibbons
Highlight Reel:
Thursday: You may have noticed Seth Helgeson was scratched for Wednesday night’s game. Well, he had a good reason why: he was recalled to New Jersey on Thursday and suited up for the parent Devils’ 4-0 win at The Rock over the Flyers. And…he was quite busy:
My Player of the Week:
We have a repeat winner this week! You cannot help but notice Blake Coleman’s progress as this season has gone on. Still considered a rookie per the AHL, he has recently broke into the league top 10 in rookie scoring (tied for 8th at press time).
Team Leaders:
Goals: Blake Pietila (10)
Assists: John Quenneville (15)
Points: John Quenneville (23)
+/-: Vojtech Mozik/Blake Coleman (+13)
Penalty Minutes: Ben Thomson (52)
Wins: Ken Appleby (6)
GAA: Ken Appleby (1.78)
Save Percentage: Ken Appleby (.929)
Up North With the Thunder:
Before Adirondack went on their holiday break, they first had to hit the road for a pair of games against Elmira and Reading. On Thursday night in western New York, the Thunder would take a 3-0 lead in the first period, only to have the Jackals rally to tie the game late in the third. But with just :04 left in overtime, Greg Wolfe would pick up the game winner and Adirondack escaped with a 4-3 win. Wolfe and Patch Alber each had two assists. Friday night in Pennsylvania, the Thunder would drop a 5-2 decision to the Royals. Wolfe and Alex Wall had assists. After an 8 day layoff, the Thunder will ring in the New Year at home, hosting Reading.
This Week’s Schedule:
Once the Devils get back from Christmas, it’s going to be a busy week heading into the start of 2017. First, a Monday night day after Christmas matchup against Providence. Then Toronto pays their last visit of the regular season on Friday evening. Saturday, the Devils will finish the 2016 portion of the schedule in Connecticut, as they take on Hartford. Finally on Sunday, it’s back on home ice for a special New Year’s Day game against Bridgeport.
Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas! Or whichever holiday you choose to celebrate.
Thoughts Inside The Box 