Devils Weekly

Published on April 20, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


The Lowell Devils came away victorious in their first-ever Calder Cup Playoff game, winning, 3-2, over the Worcester Sharks on Wednesday at the DCU Center. The Sharks would counter by taking the next two contests on Thursday and Saturday, also by the score of 3-2. The back-to-back wins give Worcester the 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Devils and Sharks resume the series on Tuesday with Game 4 at the Tsongas Center and Game 5 will take place the following night in Lowell. If necessary, the Atlantic Division Semifinal will return to Worcester for Game 6 and 7 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Rewind:

Wednesday, Devils 3 vs. SHARKS 2

Alexander Vasyunov recorded a goal and two assists as Lowell never trailed in a 3-2 win over Worcester at the DCU Center. The line of Vasyunov, Brad Mills (1g-1a) and Nick Palmieri (2a) combined for six points and +6 plus/minus rating. Mills opened the scoring with 4:44 left in the first to give his team the lead. Dan DaSilva would even the score on the power play in the second, but Ben Walter would respond a short time later during a 5-on-3 advantage. John McCarthy allowed Worcester to knot the score a second time at 14:53, but Vasyunov's goal with 1:27 until the second intermission would stand as the game-winner. Mike McKenna made 34 saves to help Lowell to their first ever postseason victory.

Thursday, Devils 2 vs. SHARKS 3 (OT)

Ryan Vesce's tally with 56.2 seconds left in overtime gave Worcester a 3-2 victory at the DCU Center to tie the series, 1-1. The Sharks established a 2-0 lead after one period thanks to markers by defensemen Derek Joslin and Danny Groulx. Held off the scoreboard for most of the game, the Devils needed only nine seconds to even things up. Tyler Eckford beat Alex Stalock at 15:29 of the third and Patrick Davis quickly followed at 15:38 for the fastest two goals in Lowell Devils history. Mike McKenna took the loss with 32 saves on 35 shots.

Saturday, DEVILS 2 vs. Sharks 3

For the second straight game, Worcester was able to establish an early cushion and the Devils could never catch up in a 3-2 loss at the Tsongas Center. Dan DaSilva broke a scoreless tie at 5:24 of the first and T.J. Trevelyan added to the Sharks' lead on the power play with four minutes left in the frame. David McIntyre's first professional playoff goal would cut Worcester's lead in half at 17:52 of the second, but Derek Joslin would help the Sharks to regain their two-goal edge just over a minute later. Lowell completed the scoring late in the third on Matt Taormina's goal during a 5-on-4 advantage,

Around the Horns

All three games of the Atlantic Division Semifinal have been decided by a 3-2 margin. The last time a Calder Cup Playoff series had its first three games decided by the same score was last year's West Division Semifinal between Milwaukee and Rockford when the final results were all 3-1...Matt Taormina is tied for second among rookies and defensemen with four points in the postseason (1g-3a)...Brad Mills' goal on Wednesday night versus Worcester was the first playoff marker in Lowell Devils history. David McIntyre's power play goal on Saturday was the first Devils postseason goal on home ice.

Playoff Series Notes

The team that has scored the first goal has won all 13 games this season including the playoffs...The Devils were fourth best in the AHL during the regular season with just 58 goals allowed in the first period, but have seen Worcester score four in the opening frame over the last two games....Lowell has outscored Worcester in the series, 3-0, in the third period.

Leaders for Lowell

- Goals: Seven players (1)

- Assists: Matt Taormina (3)

- Points: Matt Taormina (4)

- PIM: Louis Robitaille (18)

- Plus/Minus: Three players (+2)

- Wins: Mike McKenna (1)

- GAA: Mike McKenna (2.42)

- Save %: Mike McKenna (.922)

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American Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2010


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