Devils Dethrone Monarchs, 5-1
February 16, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
LOWELL, Mass. - Nicklas Bergfors scored two goals and Dave Caruso made 31 saves to lead the Lowell Devils to a 5-1 win over the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday afternoon at the Tsongas Arena. The victory allowed the Devils to sweep the home-and-home series against the Monarchs and raise their head-to-head record to 6-1-0-0.
Holding onto a 2-1 edge entering the final frame, Lowell exploded for three goals to pull away from the opposition. Patrick Davis initially gave his team some breathing room at 6:26 of the period, intercepting a pass at his own blueline and taking the puck end-to-end before beating Erik Ersberg with a backhander to the top right corner. The unassisted tally was Davis' sixth goal of the year.
Bergfors made it a two-goal cushion for the Devils at 12:54 of the third with his second goal of the contest. While skating on the power play, Petr Vrana hit Bergfors in the slot for a quick wrister that rocketed inside the near post. Ivan Khomutov completed the scoring and his three-point night (1g, 2a) 36 seconds later with his eighth goal of the year.
Recalled by Lowell on February 14, Caruso was making his second AHL start of the season. The rookie goaltender was stellar; stopping all but one of the 32 shots he faced to record his first win for Lowell.
The Devils took a 2-1 lead with 1:17 left in the second period thanks to a five-minute high-sticking major assessed to Paul Crosty. Grant Marshall sent a slapshot wide of the net, but Ivan Khomutov was there to pick up the rebound off the wall and send a backhand pass to a wide-open Barry Tallackson for his 17th marker of the year.
Bergfors gave Lowell a 1-0 lead 4:35 into the match thanks to a nifty pass by Khomutov. The play started when Khomutov cut in behind the net and fed a reverse feed to the near post for Bergfors, who knocked it easily by Ersberg.
Lowell went 2-for-9 on the power play and 6-for-7 on the penalty kill.
The Devils complete their three-game, three-day weekend tomorrow on the road against the Providence Bruins at 4:05 p.m. Tune into 980AM WCAP to hear Ryan Johnston bring you all of the Devils action live. It's Dollar Dawg Night on Wednesday, February 20 when the Lowell Devils clash with the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m. All hot dogs are just $1 for those in attendance. Sunday, February 24 is Aubuchon Hardware Night when the Devils take on the Wolf Pack at 4:05 p.m! . One lucky fan will win an electric fireplace courtesy of Aubuchon Hardware. Tickets start at just $10; call the Devils office at (978) 458-PUCK for more information or visit www.lowelldevilshockey.com.
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