Devils Get Third Straight Win

Published on October 20, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ALBANY, N.Y. - Michael Swift's goal with 4:09 remaining in regulation propelled the Albany Devils to a 2-1 win against the Charlotte Checkers Wednesday evening at the Times Union Center. The game was a homecoming of sorts for the Checkers, who called the Capital Region home for the past four seasons. When the team was sold last spring, the Devils returned to Albany after a four-year hiatus in Lowell, Mass.

"This is just another game for us," said head coach Rick Kowalsky. "We could definitely use two points and we knew they were going to come in here hungry. They might have had some extra motivation because a lot of those players have played here, and they might know our building better than us."

Swift's game-winner came late in the third to seal the victory, which was the third-straight for the Devils. Their record improves to 3-1-0-0, which is their best start in the program's five-year history. The Checkers go to 1-5-0-0.

"I think the last couple of games we had to come from behind in OT and a shootout," Swift said. "It feels good to finally play 60 minutes and get the win."

His goal was initiated on a pass by Nathan Perkovich from behind the net that found Swift sitting in the slot. Swift received the pass on his stick and proceeded to beat Justin Pogge blocker-side.

The visiting team got off to a hot start, outshooting their opponent early, 7-0. This allowed them to get on the board first as Chris Terry put the puck past Devils goaltender Jeff Frazee 7:15 into the first period.

The Devils quickly knotted the game at 1-1 when Adam Henrique scored his first professional goal just 2:37 later. The play began when two Charlotte defenders collided at their own blueline, which allowed Stephen Gionta to sneak down the boards and head in for a breakaway. Pogge made the stop, but couldn't get a pad on Henrique's rebound try.

The second frame was a rough and tumble period, which included two major fights and no scoring. After Swifts' goal, Checkers head coach Jeff Daniels decided to pull his goaltender in favor of an extra attacker with 1:06 remaining to try and tie the score. But, Frazee, who made 25 saves on the night, and the Devils defense were up to the task as they did not allow the Checkers to send the game into overtime.

"We're going to take pride in being a third period team and so far we've shown signs of doing that," Kowalsky said.

The Devils will return to action this Saturday when they host the Norfolk Admirals. The puck drops at 7:00pm.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2010


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