Devils Earn Statement Win Against Norfolk

Published on November 4, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ALBANY, N.Y. - The Albany Devils combatted the top offense and the second best power-play in the league by being responsible in their own end and discipline all over the ice. The end result was a 1-0 Devils victory against the Norfolk Admirals (7-3-0-1) Friday at the Times Union Center. After a 1-5 start, the Devils have responded with a 5-1 run to improve to 6-6-0-0.

"We knew they were a pretty good team," said Devils assistant captain Jay Leach. "I don't know if we've fully reached our potential yet. When you play a team that's clicking on all cylinders, I think the best way to go about it is work your tail off and hope for the best."

Albany's defense helped shutdown Trevor Smith and Carter Ashton, who have combined for 13 goals in 10 outings. As a team, the Admirals lead the league with 46 goals and entered the game second in the AHL for power-play percentage at 31.1.

"We were pretty solid on defense," Leach said. "It starts with the goaltending; he gives you that confidence. We didn't give them a lot of time once they had the puck down low and we did our best to breakout against a team that fore checks pretty hard. We knew he had to be discipline and I think for the most part we were."

Keith Kinkaid backboned the d-corps with a season-high 34 saves. The shutout was the first of his career and the first for the Devils on Times Union Center ice.

"The defense kept the shots to the outside so I could see every shot," Kinkaid said. "For the most part we played really well defensively."

It seemed only fitting that the lone goal of the game came from a defenseman. Matt Taormina's shot from the point found a hole at 5:20 of the third. The play was setup by Stephen Gionta and Vladimir Zharkov.

"It's something every defenseman loves," Taormina said. "All five [Norfolk players] were down low and the puck squirts out. I got it at the top of the circle and just looked for a spot and the goalie got a piece of it. I didn't know it went in until [Darcy] Zajac raised his hands."

The Devils have won five of their last six games, including four-consecutive home wins.

For the second time this season, the Devils host the New York Rangers affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, at the Times Union Center. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and the Devils/Price Chopper Food Drive continues.

*****

Notes: The shutout was the first of Keith Kinkaid's professional career. He achieved the milestone by making a season-high 34 shots in his second start in as many games ... Stephen Gionta now has points in two-straight games with a goal against Binghamton Wednesday and an assist tonight ... Vladimir Zharkov has a point in each of his last six games with a goal and five assists. He had a three-game point streak until being sidelined by injury for four games. Since his return on Oct. 29, he has three assists ... The shutout was the first for the Devils at home since relocating to Lowell prior to the 2010-11 season ... Three Stars: 1. Keith Kinkaid (ALB), 2. Matt Taormina (ALB), 3. Vladimir Zharkov (ALB).

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American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2011


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