After the mid week drama…the show must go on.
And it was a mixed showing for the Devils in their brief two game week, going 1-1 in two very different performances.
The three game road swing ended on Friday night in Rochester, as the Devils visited the Amerks for the second time this season. The visitors would get off to a quick start less than 4 minutes into the contest, as Yohann Auvitu made a triumphant return to the lineup by scoring his first AHL goal for a 1-0 lead. Rochester responded with a goal from Tim Kennedy less than 4 minutes later to tie things up at 1. In the second, on the Devils only power play chance of the evening, Vojtech Mozik would pick up his 6th goal to put Albany ahead 2-1. From there, the defense would shut down the Amerks completely, only allowing 19 shots on goal for the full 60 minutes. Mackenzie Blackwood would get the nod in goal, only needing to make 18 saves in his 8th win of the season. Joe Blandisi assisted on both Devil goals, with Brian Gibbons and Jacob MacDonald getting the other helpers.
Lines:
Joe Blandisi-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Nick Lappin
Ryan Kujawinski-Kevin Rooney-Jan Mandat
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Max Novak
Defense:
Vojtech Mozik/Yohann Auvitu
Jacob MacDonald/Brandon Gormley
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Mackenzie Blackwood/Ken Appleby
Scratches: Seth Helgeson, Steve Santini, Karl Stollery, Brandon Baddock, Ben Sexton, Blake Pietila, Reece Scarlett, Scott Wedgewood, Petr Straka, Justin Agosta
Power Play: 1 for 1. Penalty Kill: 2 for 2. Penalty Minutes: 9. Shots on Goal: 36. Shots Allowed: 19.
3 Stars: 1. Vojtech Mozik; 2. Joe Blandisi; 3. Tim Kennedy.
Highlight Reel:
Less than 24 hours later, both teams would meet again, this time on Albany’s ice. And at first glance, it looked like Rochester forgot there was an afternoon game, as the Devils simply dominated in the first. In a span of 7:03, Blake Coleman (14), Yohann Auvitu (2nd in 2 days) and Nick Lappin (2) would all score on Linus Ullmark for a 3-0 lead. As for the Amerks, they could only muster 3 shots for the entire period. Then something like this happened:
The Americans found their game and would rally. It only took 3:56 for Daniel Muzito-Bagenda, Vaclav Karabacek, and Cole Schneider to tie the game up at 3. They would outshoot Albany 10-6 for the middle period. The carnage continued into the third, as the Amerks would finish the improbable comeback. Tim Kennedy would put Rochester ahead 4-3 midway through the period, then Justin Bailey would add an insurance goal late. The Devils could only muster 4 shots in the final 20 minutes. So if you’re keeping track: Albany outshot Rochester 16-3 after 20, the Amerks would outshoot the Devils 21-10 in the final 40. It was an uncharacteristic off day for Ken Appleby in net, as he was only able to stop 19 of 24 shots. Auvitu and four others would have one assist each.
Lines:
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Nick Lappin
Joe Blandisi-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
Ryan Kujawinski-Kevin Rooney-Jan Mandat
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Max Novak
Defense:
Seth Helgeson/Brandon Gormley
Vojtech Mozik/Yohann Auvitu
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratches: Steve Santini, Karl Stollery, Brandon Baddock, Ben Sexton, Blake Pietila, Reece Scarlett, Petr Straka, Scott Wedgewood
Power Play: 0 for 2. Penalty Kill: 5 for 5. Penalty Minutes: 22. Shots on Goal: 26. Shots Allowed: 24.
3 Stars: 1. Tim Kennedy; 2. Cole Schneider; 3. Yohann Auvitu.
Highlight Reel:
My Player of the Week:
This was a pretty easy choice this week. Two games, two goals. A nice return from injury for Yohann Auvitu. Where he will be come next week is the next question.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Blake Coleman (14)
Assists: John Quenneville (19)
Points: John Quenneville (29)
+/-: Blake Coleman (+15)
Penalty Minutes: Andrew MacWilliam (72)
Wins: Ken Appleby (12)
GAA: Ken Appleby (2.05)
Save Percentage: Ken Appleby (.920)
Up North with the Thunder:
A solid week for the other team in red, as they went 2-1 on home ice. The Thunder began the week with a 3-2 shootout win over Reading on Tuesday. Greg Wolfe scored the tying goal late in the third period, and picked up a goal in the shootout round. Reading would return on Friday and got revenge with a 5-1 win, as Gunnar Hughes broke up the Royals shutout bid early in the third. Adirondack would rebound nicely on Saturday with an 8-2 thrashing of Elmira. Patch Alber picked up 4 points, including his first goal in over two years. Brian Ward scored twice and added an assist, Alex Wall had three assists, and Ty Loney and Wolfe added one goal and one helper each.
After finishing the month of January in Elmira on Sunday, the Thunder kick off February with a 3 game set against Norfolk, starting in Virginia on Wednesday followed by a home set on Friday and Saturday.
This Week’s Schedule:
Thanks to a team wide illness, no one is going to Allentown for All Star festivities, meaning everyone gets a few days off. But it’s back to work starting Thursday night, as Syracuse comes in. Friday night Lehigh Valley comes in for their lone appearance of the season. Then Saturday it’s off to Binghamton to take on the Senators.
And stay tuned on Tuesday as I’ll have a wrapup of events in Pennsylvania from All Star skills and the challenge on Monday.
Thoughts Inside The Box 