Devils Return Home After Busy Road Trip

March 24, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Last Week:

Wed 3/19 WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS 3 vs. Devils 1

Fri 3/21 NORFOLK ADMIRALS 6 vs. Devils 1

Sat 3/22 Devils 4 vs. NORFOLK ADMIRALS 2

Sun 3/23 HERSHEY BEARS 5 vs. Devils 3

This Week:

Wed 3/26 DEVILS vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (42-19-2-7), 7:05 p.m.

Fri 3/28 Devils vs. PORTLAND PIRATES (42-23-2-4), 7:05 p.m.

Sat 3/29 DEVILS vs. Worcester Sharks (27-31-5-6), 7:05 p.m.

Rewind:

Wednesday, PENGUINS 3 vs. Devils 1

Kurtis McLean's pair of second-period markers were enough offense for the Penguins to defeat the Devils by a score of 3-1 at the Wachovia Arena. After a scoreless first period, a flurry of goals came in the first five minutes of the second. McLean broke the 0-0 tie at 1:14, but Petr Vrana would even things up almost two minutes later with a power play goal. The second of the night for McLean, coming on the man-advantage at 5:07, put Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ahead for good. Nathan Smith added an insurance goal for the Penguins with 5:50 left in regulation.

Friday, ADMIRALS 6 vs. Devils 1

Nicklas Bergfors was the lone goal scorer for the Devils in a 6-1 loss to the Admirals at the Norfolk Scope. After Bergfors knotted the contest, 1-1 on the power play at 9:27 of the second, Norfolk would go on to scored five unanswered to skate away with the win. Radek Smolenak led the Admirals offense with two tallies, while Blair Jones, Justin Keller and Brandon Segal each chipped in a goal and an assist. Marc Denis stymied the Lowell offense with 34 saves.

Saturday, Devils 4 vs. ADMIRALS 2

The Devils tallied three goals in the third period to come from behind and defeat the Admirals on the road, 4-2. Trailing 2-1 early in the final frame, Nicklas Bergfors evened the score with a power play goal at 8:22. Jason Ryznar then broke the tie at 12:40 of the third with his seventh of the season. Ryznar would also assist on Grant Marshall's empty-netter that sealed the win. Frank Doyle stopped 23-of-25 for his first win since February 24. Lowell was ! 2-for-6 on the power play.

Sunday, BEARS 5 vs. Devils 3

A late rally by the Devils fell short as the Bears were able to hold on for a 5-3 win at the Giant Center. Alexandre Giroux's hat trick proved to be the difference for Hershey, scoring the eventual game-winner and the empty-net goal that clinched the win. Down 4-1 in the final minutes of the third, Lowell got power play goals from Olli Malmivaara and Petr Vrana to pull within one, but the Devils could get no closer. Lowell went 3-for-5 overall on the power play, while Dave Caruso stopped 34-of-38 in the loss.

Coming Up

Returning home after their season-high four-game road trip, the Devils will start the week with a home contest against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday, March 26. By going 2-0-0-1 in three games last week, the Wolf Pack were able to help themselves secure a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. G Miika Wiikman has won three straight and RW Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau has notched five goals over his last four games.

Lowell then travels to Portland on Friday, March 28 for its final road match-up of the season against the Pirates. The Pirates also clinched a playoff spot while splitting two games last week. Portland has notched a 5-2-0-0 record against Lowell this season, while limiting them to just 1.43 goals a game. The Pirates have two players in the top eleven in AHL scoring: C Andrew Ebbett is tied for seventh with 66 points (17g, 49a) and C Geoff Platt ranks 13th with 63 points (32g, 31a).

The Worcester Sharks will make their last visit of the season to the Tsongas Arena on Saturday, March 29. The Sharks hopes for a playoff berth are still alive, despite trailing the Manchester Monarchs by eight points with 11 games to play. Worcester has won just twice in its last nine games (2-4-1-2) and will play its next four games on the road. They will finish up the season with four of the final six games on home ice at the DCU Center.

Promotions/In the Community

- Wednesday, March 26

o Devil Dawg will be visiting the Hill View Montessori School in Haverhill, MA from 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

o Devils vs. Hartford Wolf Pack - 7:05 p.m.

§ Dollar Dawg Night -Hot dogs are just $1 for all fans in attendance.

Saturday, March 29

Devils vs. Worcester Sharks - 7:05 p.m.

Live entertainment from the School of Rock

Bugs Bunny and the Tazmanian Devil will be appearing courtesy of Six Flags New England. Around the Horns

Nick Palmieri became the youngest player to skate with the Lowell Devils when he made his professional debut on Friday against Norfolk at 18 years, 8 months and 9 days. He is currently the youngest player in the American Hockey League.

Lowell was 36.8% (7-for-19) on the power play over its four games last week.

77.8% of the Devils goals last week (7-of-9) came on the man-advantage.

Brad Mills recorded his first AHL point with an assist on Sunday versus Hershey.

Leaders for Lowell

o Goals: Gionta (16)

o Assists: Vrana (36)

o Points: Vrana (51)

o PIM: Fraser (87)

o Plus/Minus: Mills (-1)

o Wins: Doyle (13)

o G.A.A: Caruso (2.96)

o Save %: Caruso (.906)



American Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2008


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