Albany: 21-15-1-1, 44 points, .579, 2nd place in North Division
Binghamton: 15-18-2-1, 33 points, .458, tied for 5th in North Division
Senators Leading Scorers/Goaltending:
Phil Varone, 22 points (8 G, 14 A); 2 tied with 16 points
Chris Driedger, 8-5-2, 2.72 GAA; Scott Greenham, 0-1-0, 7.15 GAA
Last Game, Senators: Binghamton defeated Bridgeport 3-2 in overtime at home on Friday.
Latest News/Notes:
The Senators have won 7 out of their last 10, including last night’s win against the Sound Tigers; they are in the middle of a 3 in 3 weekend, with a trip south to Hershey on Sunday afternoon to wrap it up; New Jersey sent forward Nick Lappin down to Albany on Friday, but he likely will not appear in a game until next week; John Quenneville (illness) is expected to return next week, along with Jan Mandat (leg). No timetable available for Joe Blandisi, who had a setback in his recovery.
With the conclusion of Friday’s night overtime loss to Springfield at home, the Devils have officially reached the midpoint of the 2016-17 season. Before we start game #39 and beyond, let’s take a look at how Albany fared during the first 38.
Record: 21-15-1-1, 44 points, .579 percentage. Second place in North Division, 6th place in Eastern Conference, 13th in AHL.
Home: 13-5-1-0
Away: 8-10-0-1
Team Leaders:
(top 3 skaters; x-inactive)
Goals: Blake Pietila/x-Blake Coleman (13), Ben Sexton (11), John Quenneville (10)
Assists: John Quenneville (17), Joe Blandisi (14), Reece Scarlett (13)
Points: John Quenneville (27), Blake Pietila (25), x-Blake Coleman (23)
+/-: x-Blake Coleman (+15), x-Karl Stollery/Vojtech Mozik/x-Seth Helgeson (+11), Jan Mandat (+7)
Penalty Minutes: Andrew MacWilliam (61), Ben Thomson (59), Joe Blandisi (44)
Power Play Goals: John Quenneville/Ben Sexton (5), Blake Pietila/Brian Gibbons (4), Vojtech Mozik (3)
Power Play Assists: John Quenneville (9), Joe Blandisi (8), Reece Scarlett (7)
Reto Berra, 8-6-2, 2.23 GAA; Mike McKenna, 6-7-5, 3.10 GAA
Last Game, Thunderbirds: Springfield lost to Albany 3-2 in overtime at home on Wednesday.
Latest News/Notes:
We’ll call this the alumni edition, as several T-Bird personnel have ties to Albany:
This is the first appearance in the Capital Region for former River Rat Geordie Kinnear as a head coach, he will be making his first visit to the area since 2011 when he was an assistant coach in Charlotte; also on his staff as an assistant is former Rat Michael Ryan (from the Carolina affiliation); forward Graham Black has one goal and one assist in eight appearances, but has been out since November due to injury; Paul Thompson has 15 points in 20 games, and was recalled to the Panthers on December 4th (he actually appeared in Monday’s win against New Jersey at The Rock); goaltender Mike McKenna moved with the team from Portland and has 6 wins in 18 appearances.
On the home side: a third PTO, defenseman Justin Agosta (Manchester), is on the Devil roster.
Reto Berra, 8-6-2, 2.23 GAA; Mike McKenna, 6-7-4, 3.11 GAA
Last Game, Thunderbirds: Springfield lost to Providence 4-1 at home on Saturday.
Latest News/Notes:
Springfield has won 2 of 3 since turning the calendar to 2017; four of their next five games are on home ice, with just Friday’s game in Albany the lone road trip; defenseman Mackenzie Weegar is the lone All Star representative; Karl Stollery and Blake Coleman were summoned to New Jersey on Tuesday as the parent Devils head to western Canada; with just 11 forwards available, the team has brought in two PTOs: forward Tylor Spink from Toledo and Ty Loney from Adirondack.
First, you got a team where everything clicked at home. Then to the (sort of) long road west, later south…and the whistling returned, among other things.
The week began with the third visit of the season from the IceCaps, who were in the midst of a long 10 game divisional road swing. Much like the last two games, it was the Devils getting off to a quick start, as Carter Camper finally scored his first goal of the season just 1:14 into the contest for a 1-0 lead. Blake Coleman would double the lead 33 seconds into the middle period with his 11th goal of the season. The IceCaps would find their way onto the scoresheet 3:25 in on a Nikita Scherbak goal, only to have Brian Gibbons score his 9th 36 seconds later for a 3-1 lead. On the first power play opportunity for either side, Blake Pietila took advantage and picked up his 13th goal for a 3 goal advantage. Thirty-five seconds after that goal, the IceCaps would answer with Brett Lernout’s first goal of the season to make it 4-2. However, Coleman would come through with his second goal of the period for a 5-2 Devil lead, chasing IceCap starter Charlie Lindgren in favor of former Devil Yann Danis. The Devil scoring wasn’t quite finished…Ben Sexton would cap off a 5 goal second period with his 9th on a power play to give Albany a 6-2 lead. Ken Appleby would be the benefactor of all this offense, as he only needed to stop 20 of 22 shots to pick up win #8 and a fourth straight victory for Albany. Nine Devil skaters would pick up at least one point, lead by Coleman’s three: Gibbons, Sexton, Pietila, and Camper would finish with one goal/one assist, while Max Novak, John Quenneville, Reece Scarlett, and Yohann Auvitu added one assist each.
Lines:
Blake Pietila-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Ryan Kujawinski-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Brian Ward
Defense:
Reece Scarlett/Yohann Auvitu
Karl Stollery/Vojtech Mozik
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratches: Seth Helgeson, Joe Blandisi, Jan Mandat, Scott Wedgewood, Brandon Gormley, Petr Straka
Power Play: 2 for 4. Penalty Kill: 3 for 3. Penalty Minutes: 6. Shots on Goal: 32. Shots Allowed: 22.
A three game road trip began down the Thruway on Friday night, as the Devils traveled to Utica to take on a struggling Comets team that was winless in their last 9 games. With Josh Jacobs serving a double minor for a high stick (his second high stick in a span of 3:24), Colby Robak would give the home team a 1-0 lead in the first with a power play goal. Max Novak would match that later in the period with his fourth of the season just as the man advantage was about to expire. Alexandre Grenier would put Utica ahead 2-1 in the second with his 9th goal of the season. Just 14 seconds after the puck dropped to begin the third, Curtis Valk would put the Comets ahead 3-1 with his 11th goal of the season. Blake Coleman continued his hot play as of late, scoring his 13th with 8:06 remaining to cut the Comet lead to 3-2. Wacey Hamilton would put the final nail in the coffin late with an empty netter, bringing the Albany win streak to a halt at four games. Mackenzie Blackwood would end up with the loss in net, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Coleman and three other Devils would have one assist each.
Lines:
Blake Pietila-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Ryan Kujawinski-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Ben Thomson/Rod Pelley
Defense:
Reece Scarlett/Yohann Auvitu
Karl Stollery/Vojtech Mozik
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Jacob MacDonald
Mackenzie Blackwood/Ken Appleby
Scratches: Joe Blandisi, Jan Mandat, Scott Wedgewood, Brandon Gormley, Petr Straka, Brian Ward
Power Play: 1 for 4. Penalty Kill: 7 for 8. Penalty Minutes: 18. Shots on Goal: 24. Shots Allowed: 32.
The week finished off in Allentown, as the Devils finally faced their old North Country rivals (that they never see anymore) the Phantoms. It would be a battle of two very good rookie goaltenders, Alex Lyon for Lehigh Valley and Ken Appleby for Albany. Appleby would be tested late in the first period after Jordan Weal was awarded a penalty shot, but the Phantoms All Star forward would be denied by the goalpost. The Phantoms would find their way onto the scoreboard midway through the second, as just seconds after Ryan Kujawinski was whistled for an elbowing penalty, Greg Carey would pick up his 17th goal of the season to put the home team ahead 1-0. Late in the period, during a Devils power play, Reece Scarlett would turnover the puck, which landed on the stick of Scott Laughton. He would proceed on a break and score, doubling the Phantom lead. Albany did manage to outshoot Lehigh Valley 10-7 in the third, and had a late 6 on 4 opportunity, but the offense was simply unable to get anything past Lyon, who picked up his second shutout of the season. Appleby played well despite the loss, stopping 31 of 33 shots.
Lines:
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Blake Pietila-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
Ryan Kujawinski-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Brian Ward-Rod Pelley-Ben Thomson
Defense:
Karl Stollery/Vojtech Mozik
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Reece Scarlett/Jacob MacDonald
Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratches: Joe Blandisi, Jan Mandat, Scott Wedgewood, Brandon Gormley, Petr Straka
Power Play: 0 for 7. Penalty Kill: 4 for 5. Penalty Minutes: 20. Shots on Goal: 31. Shots Allowed: 33.
3 Stars: 1. Alex Lyon; 2. Scott Laughton; 3. Greg Carey.
Highlight Reel:
My Player of the Week:
Again, another great week from Blake Coleman, adding three more goals and two more assists to his comeback season. Still considered a rookie by AHL rules, he has joined teammate John Quenneville in the top 10 among league rookies in scoring, ranks third among rookies in goals (13), and is tied for first in the league in game winning goals with 4.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Blake Pietila/Blake Coleman (13)
Assists: John Quenneville (17)
Points: John Quenneville (27)
+/-: Blake Coleman (+15)
Penalty Minutes: Andrew MacWilliam (57)
Wins: Ken Appleby (8)
GAA: Ken Appleby (1.86)
Save Percentage: Ken Appleby (.929)
Up North with the Thunder:
Much like the Devils, the Thunder also went 1-2 on the week, with all three games away from Glens Falls. Adirondack would start the trip with a 4-2 loss against Norfolk on Wednesday night. Ty Loney picked up his 13th goal in the third period in the loss. On Friday, the Thunder would pick up a 4-2 win against Reading, as Loney scored his 14th and Alex Wall added a goal and an assist. The Royals would get their revenge on Saturday with a 4-3 win.
The Thunder return home next week for a pair of games, hosting Elmira on Wednesday and Manchester on Friday, then they travel to New Hampshire on Saturday for the middle game of a three game set with the Monarchs.
This Week’s Schedule:
Three games coming up for the Devils this week. On Wednesday, Albany finishes off a three game road trip in Springfield, starting a home and home set against the Thunderbirds. After returning home on Friday to face the T-Birds, it’s off to Binghamton on Saturday night to take on the Senators.
Also coming up this week: the official midpoint of the season hits on Friday! Expect my annual halfway stat review to be up sometime on Saturday.
Albany: 20-14-0-1, 41 points, .586, 2nd place in North Division
Lehigh Valley: 21-9-2-0, 44 points, .688, 2nd place in Atlantic Division
Phantoms Leading Scorers/Goaltending:
Jordan Weal, 32 points (11 G, 21 A); T.J. Brennan, 29 points (10 G, 19 A); Greg Carey, 24 points (16 G, 8 A)
Alex Lyon, 14-6-2, 2.77 GAA; Anthony Stolarz, 6-3-0, 2.35 GAA
Last Game, Phantoms: Lehigh Valley lost to Hartford 2-1 on the road on Friday.
Latest News/Notes:
After a five game winning streak before the holiday break, the Phantoms have dropped three of their last four outings (1-2-1-0); goaltender Anthony Stolarz got his first start since returning from the Flyers on Friday night, where while filling in for the injured Michal Neuvirth he went 2-0 in 4 games; defenseman T.J Brennan and forwards Jordan Weal and Taylor Leier were selected to the AHL All Star roster on Thursday; with two more points last night, Blake Coleman has 6 points (4 G, 2 A) in his last three games and has jumped to seventh in the AHL in rookie scoring with 23 points, and is tied with Blake Pietila for the team lead in goals (13).
Thatcher Demko, 7-8-3, 3.00 GAA; Richard Bachman, 3-6-1, 3.24 GAA
Last Game, Comets: Utica lost 6-3 at home against Rochester on Saturday night.
Latest News/Notes:
The Comets are in a tailspin, going winless in their last 9 contests (o-4-4-1), their last win coming on December 7th against Toronto; goaltender Richard Bachman returned to the lineup last weekend after sitting out since November due to injury; this is the beginning of a 3 in 3 weekend for Utica, who will embark on a two game Pennsylvania swing: Hershey on Saturday, Lehigh Valley on Sunday; Seth Helgeson was recalled to New Jersey on Thursday, while Brandon Gormley officially returned to the roster after his Spengler Cup stint. Jacob MacDonald, a defenseman from the Toledo Walleye, has been signed to a PTO; John Quenneville and Joe Blandisi were selected to represent the Devils in the AHL All Star Classic in Allentown later this month.
Charlie Lindgren, 13-8-1, 2.62 GAA; Yann Danis, 4-2-2, 3.17 GAA
Last Game, IceCaps: St. John’s lost to Syracuse 7-5 in central New York on Saturday night.
Latest News/Notes:
The IceCaps are in game 8 of a 10 game road trip, all against North Division opponents, and are 4-2-1-0 during the extended swing; former Devil Bobby Farnham was recalled by Montreal on Sunday; the IceCaps lead the AHL in average penalty minutes per game (18.36), Albany ranks fourth (17.70); Yohann Auvitu was sent down on Monday after Reid Boucher was claimed back on waivers from Nashville; Boucher was then placed on waivers again Tuesday, but was picked up by Vancouver earlier today.
If not for a run in with a perfect goalie, the Devils start to 2017 would be just that…perfect. A three game winning streak to finish off the week puts Albany in a position to claim the North Division lead back as we inch closer to the halfway point of the season.
Back on the ice the day after Christmas, the Devils continued their homestand against a hot Bruins team, while forced to go with an 11 F/7 D lineup thanks to injuries for several forwards. After a scoreless first period, Albany would get off to a good start in the middle period. While Josh Jacobs was serving a hooking penalty, Max Novak would pick up a shorthanded goal, his third of the season, 1:09 in for a 1-0 lead. Providence would answer about three and a half minutes later on a Justin Hickman tally to tie things up at 1. Jake DeBrusk would add a power play goal midway through to put the Bruins ahead 2-1. The Devils would rally early in the third to tie the game at 2 on Brian Gibbons’ eighth goal of the season. But, a shot from the corner off the stick of Bruins captain Tommy Cross would find the corner of the net just over Ken Appleby’s shoulder with 8:58 to go would put Providence ahead for good. Colby Cave would seal the win late with an empty netter. Otherwise, a solid evening for Appleby in net despite the loss, as he stopped 28 of 31 shots. Three different Devils would have one assist each.
Lines:
Brian Gibbons-Blake Coleman-Petr Straka
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Jan Mandat-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-
Defense:
Reece Scarlett/Yohann Auvitu
Karl Stollery/Steve Santini
Andrew MacWilliam/Vojtech Mozik
Josh Jacobs
Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratches: Seth Helgeson, Joe Blandisi, Blake Pietila, Luke Gazdic, Ryan Kujawinski, Scott Wedgewood
Power Play: 0 for 4. Penalty Kill: 2 for 3. Penalty Minutes: 11. Shots on Goal: 26. Shots Allowed: 32.
3 Stars: 1. Tommy Cross; 2. Justin Hickman; 3. Max Novak
The home portion of 2016 came to a close on Friday evening, as the Devils hosted the Marlies for the fourth time this season. And it wasn’t long before the visitors found themselves in the lead, as a Colin Greening goal would put Toronto up 1-0 just 2:48 into the contest. But Albany would answer on their second power play opportunity of the night, as John Quenneville would score his 9th to tie the game up at 1. It appeared the Devils had taken the lead late, but the goal was waved off due to what the referees saw as goaltender interference, not to mention the goal had cleared the line just before the net was dislodged. A three goal barrage in a 1:59 span late in the second would set the tone for the night, though…with 3:59 remaining, while on a power play, Andrew Nielsen would put the Marlies ahead 2-1. But that lead would last just 57 seconds, as Ben Sexton would score his 6th to tie the game up at 2. Quenneville would follow up 52 seconds later with his second of the night and 10th of the season to put the Devils ahead for good 3-2. Blake Pietila would add an empty netter just as the clock was about to hit zero in the final period. A much needed good night between the pipes for Mackenzie Blackwood, as he stopped 22 of 24 shots in win #6 for the rookie. Carter Camper matched his season output in one night, dishing out three assists. Reece Scarlett added two helpers of his own.
Lines:
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Jan Mandat-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
Blake Pietila-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Brian Ward
Defense:
Seth Helgeson/Steve Santini
Andrew MacWilliam/Vojtech Mozik
Karl Stollery/Reece Scarlett
Mackenzie Blackwood/Ken Appleby
Scratches: Joe Blandisi, Josh Jacobs, Ryan Kujawinski, Petr Straka, Scott Wedgewood
Power Play: 1 for 4. Penalty Kill: 4 for 5. Penalty Minutes: 10. Shots on Goal: 35. Shots Allowed: 24.
3 Stars: 1. John Quenneville; 2. Carter Camper; 3. Andrew Nielsen.
To finish off the 2016 portion of the schedule, it was off to the capital of Connecticut to face off against a struggling Wolfpack. And it didn’t take long to get things started…just 32 seconds after the puck dropped, Jan Mandat would score his fourth of the season for a 1-0 Devil lead. Hartford thought they tied the game up midway through the second, but the goal was waved off. The Wolfpack would then get their equalizer just seconds later, off the stick of Nicklas Jensen during a power play. A goaltending duel between Ken Appleby and Magnus Hellberg would emerge soon after, as both teams were having trouble getting that go ahead score. But Ben Sexton would come through in the clutch, picking up his 7th goal with 4:14 remaining in regulation to put the Devils ahead 2-1. Blake Pietila would follow with his second straight empty net goal and 12th on the year with less than a minute remaining to top off 2016 with their second straight victory. Appleby would pick up win #7 and stop 24 of 25 Hartford shots. Pietila and three others would have one assist each.
Lines:
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Jan Mandat-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
Blake Pietila-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Brian Ward
Defense:
Karl Stollery/Reece Scarlett
Seth Helgeson/Vojtech Mozik
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratches: Joe Blandisi, Ryan Kujawinski, Scott Wedgewood, Petr Straka, Steve Santini
Power Play: 0 for 1. Penalty Kill: 4 for 5. Penalty Minutes: 19. Shots on Goal: 30. Shots Allowed: 25.
3 Stars: 1. Ben Sexton; 2. Nicklas Jensen; 3. Ken Appleby.
Highlight Reel:
Sunday: You may have noticed Steve Santini was a late scratch from Saturday’s game in Hartford. Sunday we learned why: he was recalled to New Jersey after John Moore was hurt in Saturday’s loss to the Capitals.
To kick off 2017, it was back to home ice to host the Sound Tigers for the first time this season. Much like the night before in Hartford, the Devils got off to a fast start. Ben Sexton would pick up his 8th goal and third in 3 games this weekend just 1:32 into the contest for a 1-0 lead. Then on their first power play opportunity midway through the period, Vojtech Mozik would score his third to double the lead, chasing Sound Tiger starter Eamon McAdam in favor of Stephon Williams (Jaroslav Halak did not travel). Blake Coleman would add a power play goal of his own, his 10th, early in the second period for a 3-0 lead. At that point, it appeared Mackenzie Blackwood and the Devils would cruise easily, despite being outshot. Then the Sound Tigers decided to make things interesting with less than five minutes remaining in the contest. In a span of 3:11, former Devil Steve Bernier (on a power play) and Andrew Rowe would score to cut the Devil lead to one. But Albany would hold on in the end, finishing off a perfect 3 in 3 weekend and starting off 2017 on a positive note. Blackwood picked up his second win of the week, stopping 30 of 32 shots. Mozik and Karl Stollery added two assists, while two other Devils had one helper each. Ryan Kujawinski returned to the lineup for the first time since mid-November.
Lines:
John Quenneville-Carter Camper-Ben Sexton
Blake Pietila-Blake Coleman-Brian Gibbons
Ryan Kujawinski-Kevin Rooney-Max Novak
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Brian Ward
Defense:
Karl Stollery/Reece Scarlett
Seth Helgeson/Vojtech Mozik
Andrew MacWilliam/Josh Jacobs
Mackenzie Blackwood/Ken Appleby
Scratches: Joe Blandisi, Jan Mandat, Scott Wedgewood, Petr Straka
Power Play: 2 for 3. Penalty Kill: 3 for 4. Penalty Minutes: 13. Shots on Goal: 19. Shots Allowed: 32.
Do I really have to pick just one? There are quite a few candidates to choose from this week: 9 Devils had at least two points. So I will do a three player split between Blake Pietila (2 G, 2 A), Karl Stollery (4 assists) and Ben Sexton (3 goals in 3 straight and two fights).
Team Leaders:
Goals: Blake Pietila (12)
Assists: John Quenneville (16)
Points: John Quenneville (26)
+/-: Blake Coleman (+14)
Penalty Minutes: Ben Thomson (52)
Wins: Ken Appleby/Mackenzie Blackwood (7)
GAA: Ken Appleby (1.83)
Save Percentage: Ken Appleby (.929)
Up North with the Thunder:
After an extended break, Adirondack returned to home ice on New Year’s Eve for their lone game of the week, and despite outshooting Reading 42-26, they would drop a 5-2 decision to the Royals. Ty Loney picked up his 12th goal, while Patch Alber added one assist. The Thunder will start the 2017 portion of the schedule on a three game road trip, starting in Norfolk on Wednesday before going north to Reading on Friday and Saturday for a two game set against the Royals.
This Week’s Schedule:
Three games on tap for the first week of 2017. Wednesday the Devils will host St. John’s, then they hit the road for the next two. Friday night it’s back to Utica to take on the Comets, then a test on Saturday as they face a very good Lehigh Valley team in Allentown.
Last Game, Sound Tigers: Bridgeport lost to Hershey on the road 6-2 on Friday night.
Latest News/Notes:
The Sound Tigers may have the services of veteran goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who cleared waivers on Saturday and was reassigned to Bridgeport by the Islanders; Bridgeport is the only team in the AHL undefeated when going into overtime, winning 5 during 3 on 3 play and 3 in the shootout; former Devil Steve Bernier is tied for third on the team in scoring; another former Devil, Eric Boulton, made his season debut on Wednesday, notching one assist against Springfield.
