Devils Fall on the Road to the Monarchs
February 4, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
MANCHESTER, NH -- The Albany Devils began February with a 4-1 loss against the Manchester Monarchs Wednesday at Verizon Wireless Arena. Mike Sislo netted his 10th goal of the season and Scott Wedgewood turned aside 29 shots.
Brian O'Neill led the Monarchs with a goal and two helpers and Mike Richards posted a goal and an assist. Andrew Crescenzi and Colin Miller also found the back of the net. With 16 saves, Jean-Francois Berube earned his league-leading 21 win.
The Devils move to 22-16-4-5, while The Monarchs improve to 28-10-4-2.
First Period Fit For A King
The Monarchs jumped out to a 2-0 advantage thanks to a hearty first period, outshooting the Devils 14-3. Fast starts are not uncommon for Manchester this season. The team has outscored opponents, 48-27 in the opening frame.
Playing in his second AHL game of the season, Richards opened the scoring just 1:16 into the game. He beat Wedgewood glove side after picking up a rebound at the left face-off circle off O'Neill's initial bid.
A tripping penalty later in the period gave the Monarchs their first power-play of the night and they took advantage. On a two-on-one rush, Sean Backman fed Crescenzi for a wrister from the right dot. His shot found the upper-left corner at 15:54.
Manchester carried the momentum into the second period and O'Neill scored shorthanded at 11:29 to make it a 3-0 game. Miller capped the scoring in the third period at 2:18.
Power Play Chances
The Devils had their chances with the man advantage. The team went to work on seven power plays, but were unable to convert. Entering the game, the Devils had produced 14 power-play goals in the last 14 games and 10 man-up tallies in the last eight contests.
Sislo's tally did come just 14 seconds after a five-on-four advantage at 16:29 of the second period. He sent a wrister from along the right half wall and the puck deflected of Berube's left arm and snuck over the goal line. Paul Thompson and Reece Scarlett were credited with the assists.
For Sislo, it was his second goal in the last four games and he now has six points (2g-4a) in the last seven games. Thompson registered his 38th point, tying him with Joe Whitney for the team lead.
Notables
Seth Helgeson appeared in his 100th career AHL game ... Albany moved to 21-23-2-3 all-time against Manchester, including a 13-10-0-2 road record.
Next Up
The Devils remain on the road with a 7 pm outing against the Springfield Falcons Friday at MassMutual Center. Fans can follow the action online or on mobile devices at ahllive.com.
American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2015
- Coach Roy Sommer Wins 600th AHL Game in 4-3 Road Win over Phantoms - Worcester Sharks
- Detroit Recalls Ouellet and Gustavsson - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Syracuse Surges past Wolf Pack 3-2 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Richards, Monarchs Top Devils, 4-1 - Manchester Monarchs
- Devils Fall on the Road to the Monarchs - Albany Devils
- Kuemper Leads the Charge as Wild Blanks Flames 4-0 - Iowa Wild
- Visit from Captain America Highlights Amerks' Annual Kids Day Game - Rochester Americans
- B-Sens Weekly - Binghamton Senators
- Sabres Assign Hackett to Rochester - Rochester Americans
- Springfield Falcons and Balise Toyota Present 'Cold Cash Bash' February 6 - Springfield Falcons
- Griffins and Sled Wings Ready for 10th Annual Sled Hockey Game - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Pulkkinen Reaches 50 Points in 39 Games as Griffins Top Marlies - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Mazanec Reassigned to Milwaukee - Milwaukee Admirals
- Marlies Lose to Grand Rapids 3-1 - Toronto Marlies
- Wolf Pack Recall Goaltender Jeff Malcolm from Greenville - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Penguins Assign Three Players to Wheeling - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Blackhawks Reassign Rasmussen - Rockford IceHogs
- Sound Tigers Sign Maclellan to PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Rangers Recall Mackenzie Skapski from Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Springfield Falcons Sign Defenseman Yann Sauve to PTO - Springfield Falcons
- Canadiens Assign Jacob de la Rose to Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Amerks Recall Matt MacKenzie from Elmira - Rochester Americans
- Texas Stars Weekly Update - Texas Stars
- Capitals Recall Cameron Schilling from Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Admirals Fall to Lake Erie in Shoot-Out - Milwaukee Admirals
- Stars Earn Crucial Point in 3-2 Shootout Loss to San Antonio - Texas Stars
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.
