Devils shutout by River Rats, 3-0

November 23, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


LOWELL, Mass. - Led by Ryan Bayda's three-point night (2g, 1a) and a combined shutout effort from goaltenders Kevin Nastiuk and Michael Leighton, the Albany River Rats defeated the Lowell Devils, 3-0, at the Tsongas Arena on Friday.

Heading into the final frame with a 1-0 edge, Albany broke open the game with two quick goals from Bayda. At 3:45 of the third, Jakub Petruzalek pushed the rebound from Brett Carson's point shot through the crease where Bayda was able to bat it home. Just under two minutes later, a turnover at center ice led to a Bayda slapshot from the far circle that snuck under the pads of Jordan Parise.

Though the Devils outshot the River Rats by a margin of 16-8 in the first period, they still found themselves down 1-0 after one. Skating four a side in the opening frame, Bayda took the puck into the Devils' zone before finding Mark Flood trailing for a wrist shot that went top corner at 13:59. It was the fifth consecutive game that Lowell had allowed the first goal. Parise was otherwise stellar in the first, making an acrobatic save on J.D. Forrest four minutes in to keep it 0-0 early and getting a pad on a Keith Aucoin one-timer later in the same period.

The Devils almost answered back right before the first break, but Jason Ryznar rang a shot from the hash marks off of the crossbar. During the ensuing scrum, Nastiuk suffered an injury that would see him give way to Leighton after the intermission. Nastiuk left the game with 16 saves over the first twenty minutes, while Leighton stopped 14 during the remaining two periods.

Parise turned away 26-of-29 as Lowell's winless streak stretched to four games. The Devils were 0-for-6 on the man-advantage, but a perfect 9-for-9 on the penalty kill.

Lowell hits the road to square off against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday, November 24 at 7:00 p.m. Tune into 980AM-WCAP to hear Ryan Johnston call all of the live action. The Devils return home to finish the weekend on Sunday, November 25 with a tilt versus the Portland Pirates at 4:05 p.m. Following the game, join the Devils for a post-game skate sponsored by Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union and a team autograph session. Tickets start at just $10; call the Devils office at (978) 458-PUCK for m! ore information or visit www.lowelldevilshockey.com.



American Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2007


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