Devils Keep Rolling with Win Against Norfolk

Published on November 11, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ALBANY, N.Y. - Stephen Gionta tied a franchise record and Keith Kinkaid saw his shutout streak go to 126:57 in the Albany Devils 2-1 win against the Norfolk Admirals Friday at the Times Union Center. Devils improve to 7-6-0-1, while the Admirals go to (8-6-0-1).

Gionta netted his 52nd career goal in a Devils AHL uniform, tying Michael Swift (2008-11) for the record. His tally came off a redirection on a Chad Wiseman shot at 17:08 of the first.

"I came off the bench and Wiseman threw it at the net and it just happened to go off my leg," Gionta said. "I'll take those bounces to get one like that."

Kinkaid allowed a goal at 16:04 of the second period, halting his streak, which began against Binghamton on Nov. 2. The rookie netminder earned his third-consecutive victory by making 24 saves. He is now 4-2-0 on the year.

"They throw everything at the net," said head coach Rick Kowalsky. "Keith made the saves when he had too, but we did a really good job of those second chances in front of him tonight."

The Devils victory was their sixth in the last eight games, going 5-0-0-1 at home. That span included a 1-0 victory against the Admirals last Friday.

"That's a good team over there," Gionta said of Norfolk. "We've had two hard-fought games against them and it's good to get four points - especially at home. Those will help down the line."

Through the first 16 minutes it appeared the game was heading to another one-goal outcome. However, Gionta sparked the scoring thanks to Wiseman's toss at the net and a second assist to Matt Corrente.

Approximately a minute later, Matt Taormina walked in from the right point and beat Norfolk netminder Jaroslav Janus with a wrist shot at 18:24.

The goal was similar to Taormina's game-winning goal against the Admirals last week.

"It was a good play by [Steve Bernier]," Taormina said. "We have been working on getting the defense involved in third and fourth waves. I was just trying to get the puck on net and get it up."

Bernier and J.S. Berube had the assists.

Norfolk's Cory Conacher cut Albany's lead in half, 2-1, at 16:04 of the second on the power play.

Devils outshot the Admirals, 27-25, and Janus finished with 25 stops.

The Devils hit the road for a 7:30 p.m. outing at Syracuse tomorrow. Fans can listen to that game on 104.5 "The Team" ESPN Radio, starting at 7:20 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 11, 2011


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