Devils Find Answer Late, Defeat Bears
December 29, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Albany Devils News Release
HERSHEY, PA - The Albany Devils wrapped up the calendar year with a 3-2 victory Saturday against the Hershey Bears at Giant Center. Playing three games in three nights, the Devils earned four-out-of-a-possible-six points. Netminder Keith Kinkaid made 34 saves in his eighth win of the season and seventh during December.
Bobby Butler and Harri Pesonen each registered a goal and an assist and Jacob Josefson posted a pair of helpers. The trio had a hand in the game-winning goal, which came at 11:58 of the third period. On a fast break, Josefson fired a shot from the slot and Butler sent a follow-up try off the right post. Pesonen arrived at the top of the crease at the same time as the puck, banging in his fifth goal of the season and second during the team's three game stretch.
Butler continued his assault on opposing goaltenders. He now has a team-leading 21 points and 14 goals. In the last 13 games, he has registered 18 points with 12 goals and six assists. During the three-in-three, he has posted six points with four goals and two assists.
Josefson, who leads the team with a plus-9 rating, moved his season totals to 20 points, including 12 assists. He has points in three straight games with four assists.
After Hershey's Jon DiSalvatore opened the scoring at 8:06, Tim Sestito notched his third goal of the year by tipping an Eric Gelinas shot at 12:18 of the second period. Mike Hoeffel was credited with the second assist.
Albany grabbed its first lead of the night when Butler skated from behind the goal line and roofed an in-tight shot, shortside past Braden Holtby at 2:53 of the third.
The Bears answered 45 seconds later thanks to a Zach Hamill rebound goal at 3:38, allowing Pesonen to play the hero later in the period.
The Devils, who have only won one other time at Giant Center, were outshot, 36-29. Both teams went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
Next up, Albany hosts the Falcons Saturday for a 5 pm contest. The game is part of Pucks & Paws Night - fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to Times Union Center. For more information visit thealbanydevils.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2012
- Monsters Rebound with Shutout Win over Former Goalie - Cleveland Monsters
- Falcons Snowed In By Whale - Springfield Falcons
- Crunch Fall to IceCaps 5-4 - Syracuse Crunch
- Texas Takes Down Charlotte 3-1 - Texas Stars
- IceCaps Stage Huge Comeback Win - St. John's IceCaps
- Toronto Rallies to Split Weekend Set in Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Toronto Defeats Grand Rapids 3-1 - Toronto Marlies
- Wolves Burned by Heat, 3-2 - Chicago Wolves
- Backman Leads Sound Tigers Past Monarchs 4-1 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Checkers' Point Streak Ends at Texas - Charlotte Checkers
- San Antonio Slips By Houston Aeros 2-1 In Overtime - Houston Aeros
- Monsters Scare Bulldogs 4-0 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Monarchs Take Step Back-Man - Manchester Monarchs
- Amerks See Three-Game Home Win Streak Halted in 2-1 Loss to B-Sens - Rochester Americans
- Phantoms Clipped in Snowy Lewiston - Adirondack Phantoms
- Penguins Fall to Admirals in Overtime - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Sharks Mash Bruins Late for 3-2 Win - Worcester Sharks
- Maroon Nets Overtime Winner as Admirals Top Penguins - Norfolk Admirals
- Devils Hold on to Defeat Bears in Final Game of 2012 - Hershey Bears
- Whale defeat Falcons - Connecticut Whale
- B-Sens Top Amerks, 2-1 - Binghamton Senators
- Devils Find Answer Late, Defeat Bears - Albany Devils
- Bruins Fall to Sharks 3-2 - Providence Bruins
- Oilers Re-Assign Cornet & Martindale to Stockton - Oklahoma City Barons
- Sound Tigers Sign Jackson to PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Defensemen Niemi, Delisle Reassigned to ECHL Greenville - Connecticut Whale
- Youth Jersey Night Tonight as Hogs Host Ads - Rockford IceHogs
- American Hockey League Announces Suspensions - AHL
- Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Connecticut, Game #29 - Springfield Falcons
- Local Author and Reporter Christie Casciano to Drop Ceremonial Puck - Syracuse Crunch
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.