Devils Gain Five out of Eight Points
December 9, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
The Lowell Devils finished one of their busiest weeks of the season - a stretch of four games in five days - with a 2-1-0-1 record and are currently in a tie for third place in the Atlantic Division with the Worcester Sharks. The Devils get a bit of a respite this week before playing the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin' Donuts Center for the second Friday in a row. Lowell then takes the ice for its lone home game this week, a tilt against the Sharks on Saturday night.
Rewind:
Wednesday, DEVILS 6 vs. Springfield 4
The Devils matched their highest goal output of the season in defeating the Falcons, 6-4, at the Tsongas Arena. Tied 3-3 heading into the third period, Lowell exploded for a trio of goals to break the game open. The line of Patrick Davis, Ryan Murphy, and Rod Pelley led the Devils' offense with seven points (2g, 5a). Chad Wiseman's power play tally at 8:08 of the third extended his goal-scoring streak to five games. Jeff Frazee made 27 saves to extend his winning streak to five.
Friday, Devils 3 vs. PROVIDENCE 1
Jeff Frazee stopped all but one of the 30 shots he faced as he won his sixth straight and the Devils downed the Bruins, 3-1, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Alexander Vasyunov scored the first goal for the second game in a row to put Lowell up 1-0 at 7:01 of the first. Brad Mills added his second of the season in the middle period and Chad Wiseman stretched his scoring streak to six games with a power play goal in final frame.
Saturday, DEVILS 2 vs. Portland 5
A hat trick for Portland's Colton Fretter and four power play goals for the Pirates did in the Devils as they fell, 5-2, at the Tsongas Arena. Benoit Mondou's first of the season broke a scoreless tie at 6:02 of the first, but a three-goal second period gave Portland a lead they would never relinquish. Anssi Salmela's marker at 10:02 of third pulled Lowell within one, but a checking-from-behind major assessed to the Devils' defenseman gave the Pirates a five-minute power play. Mathieu Darche and Fretter would both convert to help Portland pull away for the win.
Sunday, DEVILS 3 vs. Bridgeport 4 (SO)
The Devils could not hold onto a two-goal lead as the Sound Tigers came from behind to triumph in the shootout, 4-3. Bridgeport goalie Peter Mannino stopped 43-of-46 through overtime and 3-of-5 in the shootout, including Patrick Davis' backhander in the bottom of round five. Jeff Frazee made 32 saves as his six-game winning streak came to end. The line of Patrick Davis, Ryan Murphy and Rod Pelley once again paced the offense for Lowell with six points (1g, 5a). Anssi Salemla also contributed a goal and an assist. The Devils and Sound Tigers set a season low with four penalty minutes combined in the contest.
In the Standings
In a tightly packed Atlantic Division, the Devils' five points helped them move into a tie for third place with the Worcester Sharks (13-11-0-0). The Springfield Falcons (11-10-2-1) sit alone in fourth place, only a point behind the Devils and Sharks. Tied in sixth place and two points behind the Falcons are the Manchester Monarchs (10-9-0-3) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (10-11-1-2). The Portland Pirates (14-6-1-2) and Providence Bruins (15-8-1-0) continue their battle for first place in the division, tied with 31 points each.
Records Fall
Chad Wiseman and Jeff Frazee both broke several Lowell Devils records with their stellar play as of late. Wiseman set a new mark with his six-game goal-scoring streak that came to an end on Saturday against Portland. Barry Tallackson held the previous record of four games (2/15-2/20/07). Wiseman's scoring stretch (6g, 3a) also tied him for the second longest point streak with Benoit Mondou and Petr Vrana.
Frazee's six-game winning streak (11/21-12/5/08) shattered the previous record of four held by Dave Caruso, Frank Doyle and Jordan Parise. Frazee also owns the longest regulation unbeaten streak in team history that currently stands at eight games (6-0-2). He has yet to lose a start in regulation this season and is the active AHL leader in goals against average (1.98) and save percentage (.940).
Around the Horns
The Devils will play four of their next five games on the road...D Anssi Salmela has posted five points (3g, 2a) in his four games since being returned on loan on December 2...Lowell's home four-game winning streak and five-game home point streak (4-0-0-1) was broken on Saturday against Portland...RW Patrick Davis has two three-point nights in his last four games.
Coming Up
The Devils begin their weekend on Friday on the road versus the Providence Bruins. Lowell has won the last two games against Providence, including a 3-1 victory last Friday at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The Devils are 2-0-0-1 this year and will face the Bruins six more times after Friday's contest. The Bruins have won four of their last five and are led by Martin St. Pierre, who is tied for eighth in the AHL in scoring with 27 points (7g, 20a).
Lowell finishes its light weekend schedule on Saturday at home against the Worcester Sharks. Each team has recorded a win in the ten-game season series. The Sharks took the last meeting, 2-1, on November 30 at the DCU Center, while the Devils were victorious, 6-4, in their home opener on October 11. Derek Joslin is tied for third in scoring among defensemen with 16 points (5g, 11a). The Devils are 2-3-1-0 in the second of back-to-back games this season.
Promotions/ In the Community
Friday, December 12
Devil Dawg will be visiting the troops at Hanscom Air Force base in Bedford, MA from 1:30pm - 3:00pm.
Leaders for Lowell
Goals: Alexander Vasyunov (8)
Assists: Jon DiSalvatore (16)
Points: Jon DiSalvatore (21)
PIM: Brad Mills (62)
Plus/Minus: Rod Pelley (+8)
Wins: Jeff Frazee (6)
G.A.A: Jeff Frazee (1.98)
Save %: Jeff Frazee (.940)
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