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Albany Devils Weekly

October 16, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS WEEK

The Albany Devils are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Manchester Monarchs Saturday at Times Union Center. They will be in search of their first win when the Syracuse Crunch come to the Capital Region on Friday at 7 pm. The next night, the Devils hit the road for the first time with a game against the Worcester Sharks at DCU Center at 7 pm. The Crunch opened their season with a 6-5 shootout loss at Rochester Friday and a 4-3 win against Hershey Saturday. The Sharks began with a 4-3 loss and a 4-3 shootout loss at Norfolk Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Capital Region native Jay Leach was named team captain for Opening Night. The responsibility isn't that foreign to Leach, who served as the Devils captain during the 2008-09 season before being claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks organization. Other captains in team history include Alex Brooks and Dan McGillis (2006-07), Stephen Gionta (2007-08, 2009-12) and Pascal Rheaume (2008-09). Tim Sesito and Adam Henrique serve as assistant captains.

Adam Larsson, Bobby Butler, Harri Pesonen and Raman Hrabarenka all made their Albany Devils debuts Saturday. Hrabarenka found his way on the scoresheet, assisting on Chad Wiseman's goal, which came at 8:18 of the first period.

The Devils are taking time this week to get out into the community. Monday, Brandon Burlon, Phil DeSimone, Raman Hrabarenka and Chris McKelvie participated in an after-school program with the Albany Police Athletic League. Tuesday, team members are venturing to Habitat for Humanity and Wednesday players will be visiting the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society.

Friday night at Times Union Center includes the return of "SEFCU College Night." With proper identification, college students can purchase a $10 ticket and receive a voucher for $1 hot dog and $1 soda. Additionally, a Happy Hour for all fans 21-and-older is between 6-7 pm with domestic drafts for $2. Also, the first 500 fans to arrive will receive an Albany Devils t-shirt, courtesy of Times Union.

The Devils began the season with a goal in the opening minutes, but surrendered two power-play goals, falling to the Manchester Monarchs, 2-1, Saturday in front of 5,072 fans at Times Union Center. Chad Wiseman netted the first goal of the season off a rebound at 8:18, but the Devils lost the lead before the end of the first period.

Devils newcomer Raman Hrabarenka and returnee Alexander Urbom assisted on Albany's goal. Urbom found Hrabarenka, who carried the puck into the offensive end near the right half wall. His shot deflected off Manchester netminder Martin Jones' pads and found Wiseman's stick.

The Monarchs responded 29 seconds later when David Kolomatis scored his first of two power-play goals. The first tally came at 8:47 and the second followed at 14:10.

Second-year pro Keith Kinkaid made 25 saves on 27 shots, while Jones earned the victory with 22 saves on 23 tries.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS

Fri., Oct. 19 vs. Syracuse (Times Union Center)

The Syracuse Crunch earned three out of four points during their first weekend with a 6-5 shootout loss at Rochester Friday and a 4-3 victory against Hershey Saturday. The Crunch changed affiliations over the summer and are now associated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The previous Lightning affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, won the 2012 Calder Cup.

During the opening weekend, last year's AHL MVP and Rookie of the Year Cory Conacher had two goals and three assists to lead the league with five points. Monday, he was named the AHL Player of the Week. Tyler Johnson, who finished third on the team in scoring and second among all rookies last year, netted three goals.

Jon Cooper is in his third season as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning AHL affiliate. Cooper led his team to a league best 55-18-1-2 record, including a record-breaking 28 game winning streak, on the way to winning the Calder Cup. He was awarded the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award for Coach of the Year.

Sat., Oct. 20 at Worcester (DCU Center)

Worcester, who finished fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 31-33-4-8 record last season, went 0-1-0-1 during opening weekend with a pair of games at Norfolk. Friday, the Sharks lost, 4-2, and followed Saturday with a setback, 4-3, in a shootout.

James Sheppard, who played four rehab games for Worcester last year, paced the team in scoring this past weekend with a goal and two assists. Returning defenseman Matt Irwin, who led all Worcester defensemen with 42 points (11g-31a) last season, registered three assists.

Head Coach Roy Sommer returns for his 15th season behind the bench for the San Jose Sharks top affiliate. He is currently the longest tenured coach in the AHL. Sommer is just the fourth coach all time to top 1,000 games coached and 500 wins. Sommer's 509 wins are fourth all time and he trails Fred "Bun" Cook by 127 wins for most in AHL history.

Upcoming Milestones

Matt Anderson - 24 games away from 300 career AHL games

Jeff Frazee - 1 shutout away from 10 career AHL shutouts

Jay Leach - 10 games away from 450 career AHL games

Tim Sestito - 24 games away from 300 career AHL games; 5 points away from 100 career AHL points

Steve Zalewski - 8 points away from 200 career AHL points

Recent Milestones

Matt Anderson - 100th career AHL assist; vs. PRO (Apr. 14)

Steve Zalewski - 300th career AHL game; at NOR (Mar. 23)

Darcy Zajac - 100th career AHL game; at SYR (Mar. 9)

Dan Kelly - 100th career AHL game; vs. BRI (Mar. 2)

DEVILS NOTABLES

- The Devils opening-night roster included 32 players, including three goaltenders, nine defenseman and 20 forwards.

- The Devils begin their road schedule Saturday at Worcester. Albany went 13- 21-2-2 away from Times Union Center last season. The Devils experienced their best season on the road in 2009-10, going 19-15- 3-3.

- Last Friday, Albany loaned goaltender Scott Wedgewood and right-winger Alexandre Carrier to Trenton (ECHL). Wedgewood made his professional debut in a 6-2 win at Reading Saturday. He made 31 saves on 33 shots. Carrier did not dress in Trenton's first two outings.

- Chad Wiseman netted his 169th career AHL goal when he registered the first goal of the season Saturday. Wiseman, who is in his 12th professional season, has amassed 418 career AHL points, including 249 assists in 568 games.

- Keith Kinkaid was the Devils opening- night goaltender. He made 25 saves on 27 attempts, surrendering two power-play goals. He is in his second professional season after going 17-20-3 with a 2.94 goals- against average and a .904 save percentage. Jeff Frazee also dressed during Saturday's game. In his sixth year, Frazee has posted a 65-73-11 career record with a 2.73 goals- against average and a .912 save percentage.

- The Devils roster includes players from Belarus (1) Canada (10), Finland (1), Sweden (4) and the United States (16). New York state is well represented with seven players.

- Head Coach Rick Kowalsky is in his third season with Albany after spending four seasons as head coach of the ECHL's Trenton franchise. He is joined by returning assistant coach Tommy Albelin, who is in his third season with Albany and fifth year as a member of the organization's coaching staff. Dave Caruso, who played for the organization for four seasons, was named the team's goaltending coach in September.

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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.

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