Devils Weekly

Published on April 13, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


The Lowell Devils won two out of three on the weekend to punch their ticket for their first-ever appearance in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Having a chance to clinch the fourth seed in the Atlantic Division on Friday, the Devils let the opportunity slip away in a 6-3 loss to Bridgeport. Lowell clinched its spot in the postseason a day later, defeating Portland on the road, 5-2. The Devils wrapped up their regular season on Sunday with 6-3 drubbing of Providence to set-up a first round series with the top team in the division, the Worcester Sharks.

The Devils and Sharks open their best-of-seven series on Wednesday at the DCU Center. Game 2 will quickly follow on Thursday in Worcester and Lowell will host a postseason match for the first time with Game 3 on Saturday at the Tsongas Center.

Rewind:

Friday, DEVILS 3 vs. Sound Tigers 6

The Bridgeport offense proved to be too much for the Devils as Jesse Joensuu posted a hat trick in a 6-3 win over Lowell on Friday night at the Tsongas Center. With the Sound Tigers leading 3-1 in the second, Lowell began a rally with Matt Corrente's goal right before the end of the period. Michael Swift's second marker of the game tied things up early in the third, but Joensuu answered with his second goal to start up a three-goal period and give Bridgeport the lead for good. Jeremy Reich posted a goal and three assists for Bridgeport. Mike McKenna suffered the loss with 25 saves on 30 shots.

Friday, Devils 2 vs. PIRATES 5

With its 5-2 win over the Pirates at the Cumberland County Civic Center, Lowell clinched its first ever playoff berth in franchise history. Tied at one heading into the second period, Lowell's offense found its rhythm to the tune of three goals in eight minutes. Nathan Perkovich tallied a power play goal three minutes into the frame and Tim Sestito potted the eventual deciding tally for Lowell just 53 seconds later. Matt Halischuk opened the scoring midway through the first with the team's third shorthanded goal of the season. Mike McKenna made 32 saves and for his 24th win of the season.

Sunday, DEVILS 6 vs. Bruins 3

Lowell wrapped up its regular season at home against the Providence Bruins and came away a winner, 6- 3. With the score knotted at three going into the third period, Myles Stoesz scored his first goal of the season and what would be the game-winner four minutes into the frame. Alain Goulet posted two power play goals and an assist as the Bruins battled back to tie game three times. The line of Brad Snetsinger, Michael Swift and Ben Walter combined for six points (2g-4a). Frazee stopped 30 shots to improve his record against the Bruins to 5-2-0.

Around the Horns

Devils G Mike McKenna finished the season tied for third in the AHL in save percentage with .921%...Nathan Perkovich's 10 power play goals were second in the AHL among rookies and ranked first on the Devils with Michael Swift...Rob Davison's four game-winning goals tied for first among defensemen...The Devils set a franchise record for wins in a season, picking up their 39th on Sunday versus Providence. The previous high of 38 was established in the Devils' inaugural season in 2006-07... The Devils finished with their best road record in franchise history, going 19-15-3-3 for a .550 points- percentage...Lowell's 11 goals scored over Saturday and Sunday was the team's highest two-game total since they compiled 12 on Nov. 11 & 13...Michael Swift set the team record for multi-point games in a season with 15 (Petr Vrana - 14, 2007-08)...With Sunday's victory, Jeff Frazee ended a three-game losing streak and gathered his first win since Feb. 28 vs. Hartford...Mike McKenna's 40-save effort on Saturday was his fifth game of the year with 40-or-more saves.

Coming Up

The Lowell Devils start their first-ever playoff series against the Worcester Sharks this Wednesday night at the DCU Center. This will be Worcester's third playoff appearance in its four-year history. The Sharks fell to the Manchester Monarchs in the 2007 playoffs 4-2. Worcester returned to the playoffs in 2009 and beat the Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-2, in the first round but couldn't advance against the Providence Bruins, losing the series, 4-2. The Sharks head into the playoffs division winners for the first time in franchise history, setting team records for wins (49) and points (104) in a season.

Regular Season Series

Lowell went 5-4-0-1 this year versus Worcester, but it was the Sharks winning the season series with a 5- 3-2-0 record. The Devils were 2-2-0-1 on their home ice against the Sharks and 3-2-0-0 at the DCU Center. Worcester had taken four of five over Lowell before the Devils won the season finale, 3-2, in overtime on Apr. 3 at the Tsongas Center. Michael Swift is the active scoring leader in the head-to-head match-up with 12 points (4g-8a). Logan Couture, currently on recall with San Jose (NHL), posted 13 points (5g-8a) in six games versus the Devils.

Leaders for Lowell

- Goals: Michael Swift (24)

- Assists: Matt Taormina (40)

- Points: Ben Walter (58)

- PIM: Louis Robitaille (286)

- Plus/Minus: Rob Davison (+13)

- Wins: Mike McKenna (24)

- GAA: Mike McKenna (2.47)

- Save %: Mike McKenna (.921)

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American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2010


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