Devils Gain Five of Six Points

Published on February 19, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Rewind:

Friday, Devils 4 vs. Monarchs 3 (SO)

The Devils rallied from a three-goal deficit to shock the Monarchs in a 4-3 shootout win at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Trailing 3-0 in the second, Erik Rasmussen's power play goal got Lowell on the board at 13:30. Almost three minutes later, Petr Vrana pulled the Devils within one with his ninth goal of the season. Barry Tallackson then knotted the score at 3:25 of the third to force overtime. In the ensuing shootout, Frank Doyle stopped 4-of-5 Manchester shooters, while Grant Marshall and Rod Pelley converted for Lowell. Doyle also made 32 saves in the game, including eight in overtime, to help sec! ure the win.

Saturday, DEVILS 5 vs. Monarchs 1

Nicklas Bergfors recorded two goals to lead the Devils to a 5-1 win and a weekend sweep of the Monarchs. Holding a 2-1 edge heading into the final frame, Lowell exploded for three goals as Patrick Davis, Bergfors and Ivan Khomutov all lit the lamp. Goalie Dave Caruso made 31 saves for his first AHL victory of the season. Lowell went 2-for-9 on the power play.

Sunday, BRUINS 4 vs. Devils 3 (OT)

The Devils flashed some comeback magic once again, but eventually fell in overtime to the Bruins at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Down 3-1 after Nate Thompson's goal 19 seconds into the third period, Lowell answered back when Ryan Murphy and Barry Tallackson scored 3:34 apart to tie the contest. Matt Hendricks sent the Devils away in defeat, however, beating Frank Doyle on a breakaway at 3:48 of the overtime. Doyle finished with 35 saves in the game.

Coming Up

The Lowell Devils enter their busiest stretch of the season with four games in five days this week. The Devils will begin and end their week of play against the Hartford Wolf Pack, hosting them on Wednesday, February 20 and Sunday, February 24. The Wolf Pack lost in regulation for the first time in thirteen games when they were defeated on Sunday by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Hartford was 9-0-2-1 prior to the loss. LW Dane Byers has a five-game goal scoring streak (6g), while G Al Montoya has won five striaght.

Between its two home games against Hartford, Lowell will hit the road for two matches. They will face off against the Worcester Sharks on Friday, February 22. This game begins a five-game home stand for the Sharks, who have lost four straight. Their last win came on February 6 in a 6-1 win over the Devils. C Mike Iggulden has registered 9 points (4g, 5a) and a +7 plus/minus rating in five previous matches against Lowell.

The Devils then travel to visit the Albany River Rats on Saturday, February 23, for their last meeting of the regular season. The Devils are 0-2-1-0 versus the River Rats this year after falling in overtime, 3-2, on December 14. LW Brandon Nolan is currently riding an eight-game streak, during which he has totaled 13 points (5g, 8a). G Michael Leighton has started nine consecutive games for Albany, going 4-4-1. He owns the best save percentage in the league at .927.

Third Period's the Charm

The third period proved to be a fortuitous one for the Lowell Devils this weekend. Friday night saw Barry Tallackson tie the game at 3:25 of the third to send the Devils to an eventual 4-3 shootout victory over the Manchester Monarchs. It was the first time Lowell had won a game on the road when trailing after two periods. The Devils then exploded for three goals in the final frame on Saturday to pull away for a 5-1 win over the Monarchs. Lowell completed the weekend with two tallies in the third stanza versus Providence to force an extra session. Though the Bruins took the decision in overtime, the Devils' work in the third pe! riod gained them five of a possible six points on the weekend.

Promotions/In the Community

- Tuesday, February 19 - Devil Dawg will be joining the Lowell Devils Booster Club at Lowell City Hall to accept the championship trophy for the Human Dog Sled Races at Winterfest.

- Wednesday, February 20 - Devils vs. Hartford Wolf Pack, 7:05 p.m.

- Dollar Dawg Night - All hot dogs are just $1 for fans in attendance.

- Sunday, February 24 - Devils vs. Hartford Wolf Pack, 4:05 p.m.

- Aubuchon Hardware Night

- One lucky fan will win an Electric Fireplace courtesy of Aubuchon Hardware

- Face-painting in the lobby and on the concourse during the game.

- Autograph session with Lowell Devils players during the second intermission.

- SodaPop the Clown will be on hand to create balloon characters for all children who visit the Kid's Corner, located behind Section T.

- Free post-game skate courtesy of Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union.

Around the Horns - Barry Tallackson is on a three-game goal and point streak (3g, 2a), including the game-winner on Saturday versus Manchester.

- Petr Vrana is on a five-game point streak (1g, 5a) - his fourth of four games or more this season.

- Over this past weekend, Erik Rasmussen and Rod Pelley each scored their first goal this season for Lowell.

- Lowell has scored on the power play in four straight games for a conversion rate of 23.8% (5-for-21).

- Leaders for Lowell:

o Goals: Tallackson (18)

o Assists: Vrana (33)

o Points: Vrana (42)

o PIM: Fraser (81)

o Plus/Minus: Bergfors (+5)

o Wins: Doyle (10)

o G.A.A: Doyle (3.09)

o Save %: Doyle (.902)

Last Week:

Fri 2/15 Devils 4 vs. MANCHESTER MONARCHS 3 (SO)

Sat 2/16 DEVILS 5 vs. Manchester Monarchs 1.

Sun 2/17 PROVIDENCE BRUINS 4 vs. Devils 3 (OT)

This Week:

Wed 2/20 DEVILS vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (34-14-2-5), 7:05 p.m.

Fri 2/22 Devils vs. WORCESTER SHARKS (21-24-3-3) 7:05 p.m.

Sat 2/23 Devils vs. ALBANY RIVER RATS (28-23-0-3) 7:00 p.m.

Sun 2/24 DEVILS vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (34-14-2-5) 4:05 p.m.



American Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2008


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