Devils Prepare For Road Stretch

Published on March 4, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


The Lowell Devils picked up points in three of four games, but find themselves back in a tie for fourth place this week with the Manchester Monarchs. The Devils will play six of their next seven games on the road, beginning with a two-game set this weekend versus the Norfolk Admirals.

Rewind:

Wednesday, Devils 3 vs. SHARKS 4 (OT)

After Michael Swift scored for the Devils with 4:25 left in regulation to force overtime, Mike Moore's goal 2:15 into the extra session won it for the Sharks, 4-3. In a see-saw battle, Patrick Davis and Jamie McGinn traded goals four minutes apart late in the first for a 1-1 tie at intermission. After both Cory Larose and Alexander Vasyunov scored in the second, Lukas Kaspar beat Jeff Frazee with 1:29 until the break for a 3-2 Worcester lead. Frazee made 27 saves in the contest.

Friday, Devils 3 vs. FALCONS 2

In his first start with Lowell since October 31, Scott Clemmensen made 34 saves to help the Devils defeat the Falcons, 3-2. Lowell had built a 2-0 cushion after one period thanks to tallies by Nicklas Bergfors and Rod Pelley. Ryan Stone cut the Devils' lead in half just 17 seconds into the third with his first of the night. Pascal Rheaume would notch the eventual game-winner at 7:46 before Stone got his team back within one 52 seconds later.

Saturday, DEVILS 1 vs. Monarchs 2 (SO)

The Devils could not solve Monarchs goalie Jonathan Bernier but once in a 2-1 shootout loss on Saturday. Gabe Gauthier broke a scoreless tie with 5:27 left in regulation, but Alexander Vasyunov responded two minutes later to force overtime. After an undecided OT, Bernier went 5-for-5 in the shootout, while Trevor Lewis snuck a forehand past Jeff Frazee in round five for the decisive goal. Frazee otherwise turned aside 31-of-32 shots through overtime.

Sunday, Devils 1 vs. PIRATES 6

Six different players scored for the Pirates as they handed the Devils a 6-1 loss at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Portland struck early in the first on goals 1:15 apart by Felix Schutz and Dylan Hunter. The Pirates had already established a 4-0 lead through two periods before Nicklas Bergfors broke through on the power play at 1:11 of the third. Aaron Slattengren quickly dashed any comeback hopes, however, scoring 37 seconds later to allow the Pirates to regain their four-goal lead.

In the Standings

Despite picking up points in three of four matches this week, the Devils are once again in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Division (28-24-2-6) with the Manchester Monarchs (29-26-0-6) at 64 points. Only a point behind are the Worcester Sharks with a record of 30-26-1-2. The top three teams in the division have widened the gap on the competition below as the third-place Portland Pirates (30-23-3-6) have a five-point lead on Lowell and Manchester. Two points separate the second-place Hartford Wolf Pack (33-23-2-3) from the Pirates below and the Providence Bruins (34-22-2-3) above in the top spot. The Springfield Falcons remain in seventh place at 19-34-7-2.

Around the Horns

The Devils have killed off 91.4% of the power plays against (16-for-17) over their last five games...The Devils have skated past regulation six times in their last 11 games, going 2-0-1-3 in those contests... Nicklas Bergfors had his eight-game point streak (5g-5a) halted on Saturday versus Manchester...Matt Halischuk led Lowell with 15 points (5g-10a) in the month of February, helping the Devils to a 6-2-1-3 record...Halischuk also notched a seven-game point streak (3g-7a) from February 14-27...Jeff Frazee went 5-1-1-3 in February...Frazee is now 14-0-3 when allowing two goals-or-less.

Coming Up

The Devils will take the ice for two against the Norfolk Admirals this weekend on Friday and Saturday at the Norfolk Scope. At 23-29-3-5, the Admirals sit in seventh place in the East Division. They have lost three in a row coming into this week, while beginning a stretch that will see Norfolk play nine of 11 on the road. Their two matches against Lowell will be their lone home games over that span. The Devils and Admirals split their previous two meetings this season.

Promotions/ In the Community

Wednesday, March 4

Devil Dawg will be visiting the Larry Fornier Tournament at Graf Rink in Newburyport, MA from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, March 6

Devil Dawg will be visiting a Reading Class at the St. Patrick School in Lowell, MA at 9:00 a.m.

Devil Dawg will be making an appearance at the Groton Mini-Mites Awards Ceremony from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Groton School Rink.

Leaders for Lowell

Goals: Jon DiSalvatore (16)

Assists: Jon DiSalvatore (29)

Points: Jon DiSalvatore (45)

PIM: Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (135)

Plus/Minus: Vladimir Zharkov (+17)

Wins: Jeff Frazee (22)

G.A.A: Jeff Frazee (2.62)

Save %: Jeff Frazee (.922)

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American Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2009


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