Devils Complete Sweep of Phantoms

Published on January 29, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ALLENTOWN, PA -- Scott Wedgewood's 35 saves helped the Albany Devils to a 4-1 win and complete the season series sweep of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Thursday at PPL Center. Joe Whitney, Mike Sislo, Ben Thomson and Brandon Burlon each scored.

Albany extended its point streak to seven games (5-0-2-0) and improved to to 21-14-4-5, including a 4-0-0-0 mark against Lehigh Valley. The Phantoms moved to 20-17-4-1.

Burlon and Tim Sestito led all scorers with two points each. Burlon had a goal and an assist and Sestito, who was playing in his first AHL game since Dec. 26, registered a pair of helpers. Defensively, Wedgewood was busy during the second half of the game, making 29 saves during the second and third periods.

Mike Keenan, who signed an AHL contract Wednesday, took a big hit to start the breakout that lead to the game's first goal. Whitney received a pass from the Devils defenseman.The puck moved to Sestito and Paul Thompson before returning to Whitney, who snapped a wrister past Rob Zepp's blocker at 3:41 of the first.

In the second, Sislo had time and space high in the Phantoms zone. He fired a wrister shot just below the crossbar to give the Devils a 2-0 advantage at 5:40.

Moments later, Darcy Zajac's shot deflected off Thomson and Lehigh Valley''s Robert Hagg to make it a 3-0 score at 7:02.

In the third, Lehigh Valley's Zack Stortini redirected Brandon Manning's shot at 10:48 on the power play to spoil Wedgewood's shutout bid. The Devils responded with Burlon's empty-net goal at 18:16 to seal the win.

Game Notes

Brandon Burlon picked up his fourth and fifth points (2g-3a) in the last five contests ... Joe Whitney registered his 16th goal of the season, giving him a team-leading 38 points. He extended his point streak to four games (3g-1a). In the last 14 games, he has 18 points (9g-9a) ... Mike Sislo netted his ninth goal, giving him five points (1g-4a) in the last five outings ... Ben Thomson notched his sixth tally and second in four games ... Tim Sestito returned to Albany's lineup for the first time since Dec. 26. He missed 14 games while on recall with New Jersey ... With an assist, Paul Thompson posted his 37th points, which rank second on the team ... Darcy Zajac registered his fifth point (1g-4a) in the last eight games ... The Devils improved to 31-23-6-4 all-time against the Phantoms, including a 12-16-3-1 road record.

Next Up

The Devils begin a two-game series against the St. John's IceCaps Friday with a 7 pm outing at Times Union Center. As part of "SEFCU College Night" student tickets are just $10. Fans not in attendance can follow the action online at ahllive.com or over the airwaves at 104.5 "The Team" ESPN Radio.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2015


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