Devils Complete Weekend Sweep
April 13, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
ALBANY, NY - The Albany Devils unloaded four goals in just over six minutes en route to a 4-0 victory against the Syracuse Crunch Sunday at Times Union Center. Reid Boucher netted a pair and Harri Pesonen setup three of the second period tallies.
"I feel like the first period we kind of struggled," Pesonen, who has five points in the last seven games, said. "We didn't really have any offense going then all of a sudden, the second period, we started to just pop some goals and it felt great. Boucher was our first goal -- kind of a lucky punch for us, but that got us going. We got the momentum, got a few more goals, and that's pretty much the game there."
The Devils, who won all three games during a three-in-three home weekend, improved to 38-23-5-8 overall and an impressive 23-7-2-1 at Times Union Center. They are now just three points away from securing a 2014 Calder Cup Playoff berth.
"Six points, obviously, is what our goal was and to be able to do it," said Head Coach Rick Kowalsky. "The schedule is in our favor at home. After that after some tough weekends and tough losses this team all year has managed to bounce back and they certainly responded this weekend."
Scott Wedgewood earned his 15th victory of the season and sixth in his last nine starts. He made 20 saves for his fourth shutout of the season.
He credited his teammates' willingness to put their bodies on the line.
"It's something we've talked about and the words going around the room," he said. "It's that time of year where every point matters. You have to be a teammate and do those things regardless if it's what you want to do; nobody wants to get in front of that puck like us goaltenders, but when they do make those sacrifices and block shots, it's huge for us."
Offensively, Boucher netted his 20th and 21st goals of the season. Chris McKelvie registered his ninth and Reece Scarlett, who also had an assist, picked up his sixth tally.
Boucher opened the scoring with a breakaway power-play goal off a Syracuse turnover at 12:08. He followed on a fast break setup by Pesonen and Scott Timmins at 15:24.
McKelvie cashed in on a loose puck in the crease at 16:09 and Scarlett capped the scoring with a power-play goal at 18:12.
"They had the momentum and we got a couple good shifts together, sprung loose, and put four in," Boucher said.
The Devils went 2-8 on the power play and 4-4 on the penalty kill.
Next up, the Devils travel to face the Portland Pirates at Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, but will now take place Wednesday at 7 pm. Audio and video can be streamed online or on mobile devices at ahllive.com.
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