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Albany Devils Can't Fend off Hershey Bears

February 28, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


HERSHEY, PA -- Despite early goals from Joe Whitney and Stefan Matteau, the Albany Devils lost, 4-2, against the Hershey Bears Saturday at Giant Center. Hershey scored four unanswered goals to improve to 14-1-1-1 in its last 17 games.

Dan Kelly had a hand in both Albany tallies and Tim Sestito also picked up an assist. In goal, Maxime Clermont made 22 saves on 26 shots.

Chris Conner led the Bears with a goal and two helpers. Tim Kennedy and Garrett Mitchell both registered a goal and an assist. Joel Broda was responsible for the team's fourth goal late in the third period. Netminder Pheonix Copley earned the win, making 24 stops on 26 attempts.

Hershey Completes The Comeback

After erasing a 2-0 deficit, Mitchell netted the game-winning tally at 5:09 of the third period. Skating out of his own zone, Conner moved the puck into the Devils end, went behind the net and found Mitchell in front. The Bears assistant captain flipped a backhand that deflected off Clermont's blocker and trickled over the goal line.

The goal, which was Mitchell's third of the season, helped extend Hershey's winning streak to four games, keeping them near the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 34-14-5-2 mark. The Devils, who are 2-2-0-0 in their last four outings, own a 24-23-4-5 record.

Two For You, Two For Me

The Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead, starting with Whitney's 18th tally of the season. Sestito won the puck in the right corner and sent a pass to the front of the net. Whitney accepted the puck on his backhand, spun and sent a shot along the ice past Copley at 16:22 of the first.

After the intermission break, Kelly fed Matteau high in the slot. The 21-year-old walked toward the goal and found the lower-right corner 46 seconds into the period. The goal was his sixth of the season and second in as many outings. Additionally, he extended his point streak to three games (2g-1a).

Hershey's comeback began when Kennedy snapped a wrister atop the crease at 12:30 of the second period. Five seconds later, Conner scored on an odd-man rush off the neutral-zone faceoff to tie the game.

Notables

The Devils unloaded 16 shots in the first period -- the most they've taken in the opening frame this season ... Whitney scored his first goal since Jan. 29 at Lehigh Valley ... Clermont suffered his first setback of the season. He is now 5-1-0 ... Seth Helgeson (3 games, 1g-4a) and Reid Boucher (2 games, 3a) both had their point streaks halted ... Albany went 6-6 on the penalty kill.

Next Up

On Sunday, the Devils return to Times Union Center for the first time since Feb. 15. The team hosts the Binghamton Senators for a 3 pm tilt. Fans can purchase tickets at the Times Union Center Box Office or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Fans can also buy tickets via charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

Those not in attendance can follow the action online or on mobile devices at ahllive.com.



American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2015


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