Albany Devils Conclude Road Trip with Loss at Rochester

December 19, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Albany Devils four-game road trip ended with a 4-1 loss against the Rochester Americans Saturday. The Amerks used four goals during the first period en route to the victory at Blue Cross Arena.

Brandon Burlon scored for Albany and Scott Wedgewood turned aside all 12 shots he faced in a 40-minute relief effort. Yann Danis, who started the game, made eight saves.

Rochester's goals came from Tim Schaller, Patrick Kaleta, Nick Baptiste and Colby Robak. Netminder Andrey Makarov earned his sixth victory, making 30 saves.

Heading into the Holiday Break, the Devils are 16-8-3-0, while the Americans are 14-12-1-1.

HIGHLIGHTS & GAME NOTES

- Burlon netted his third goal of the season and second in the last five games. All three of his tallies have come since Nov. 27.

- Ryan Kujawinski and Reid Boucher both assisted on Burlon's goal. It was Kujawinski's four assist and sixth point of the season. It was also his first point since posting two assists at Springfield on Nov. 28. The assist was Boucher's eight of the season and 18th point.

- Wedgewood replaced Danis after the first period. In just his third appearance this season, he made eight saves in the third and four in the third.

- Brian O'Neill, who was loaned by the New Jersey Devils Thursday, made his Albany Devils debut. He skated on a line with Joseph Blandisi and Mike Sislo. O'Neill was the 2014-15 AHL MVP, registering a league-leading 80 points and helped Manchester to the Calder Cup Championship. New Jersey acquired the right winger from Los Angeles on Oct. 6 for a conditional 2017 seventh-round draft pick.

TURNING POINT

Coming off a 7-1 win the night before, The Americans couldn't have asked for a better first period. Rochester scored just 3:36 into the game and took control during the second half of the opening frame.

Goals at 11:06, 15:44 and 17:51 gave the home team a 4-0 lead after the first period.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT

Schaller opened the scoring when he got behind the Devils defense and slipped a shot past Danis on a semi-break at 3:35 of the first period.

Less than 10 minutes had passed when Kaleta picked up a loose puck in the slot and fired a shot into the back of the net at 11:06. Moments later, William Carrier stole the puck behind the Devils net and sent a pass to the front for a one-timer, hammered home by Baptiste at 15:44.

Before the end of the period, Rochester forced and offensive-zone turnover and Robak sent a slap shot into the upper right corner at 17:51.

After a scoreless second period, Burlon put the Devils on the board at 2:04 of the third. Kujawinski and Boucher both had attempts on goal and Burlon was atop the crease for the put-back attempt.

NEXT UP

The Devils head to their Holiday Break and return to Times Union Center next Sunday for a 5 pm start against the Providence Bruins.



American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2015


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