Gionta Has Two as Devils Fall in Shootout

Published on January 5, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ALBANY, N.Y. ‚¬" Despite a pair of goals by Stephen Gionta, the Albany Devils lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Adirondack Phantoms Wednesday night at the Times Union Center. The Phantoms, backed by two goals by Michael Ryan, took a 3-2 lead in the Time Warner Cup Series.

"Our play in our own end ‚¬" what did we give up, 22 shots " asked head coach Rick Kowalsky, complementing his team's defensive efforts. "I'd like to have seen us generate more as far as getting pucks to the net. Again, I think we missed the net a lot tonight and didn't get pucks through as much as we wanted. As far as the effort and execution, I thought we were fine."

The Devils owned a 28-23 shot advantage in the game as they move to 13-19-0-3 overall. The victory moves the Phantoms to 11-25-2-0.

Michael Swift and Chad Wiseman assisted on both goals. Swift extended his point streak to a franchise-best nine games. He now owns the longest active streak in the American Hockey League.

The goals for Gionta move his total to six.

"It's definitely frustrating not being able to get the two points, especially now with teams kind of pulling away," Gionta said. "We need to grab those extra points with the all-star break coming around the corner. It's a huge opportunity for us with so many games at home to hopefully gain some ground. We did gain one point and I thought we did some good things tonight."

Gionta struck first for the Devils with a backhand to forehand move at 7:43 of the first period. Swift found Wiseman, who chipped the puck into the zone for Gionta. Wiseman extended his point streak to six games with the helper. In the 12 games he has played, Wiseman is averaging a point-per-game.

After Ryan made it 1-1 at 5:04 of the second, Gionta scored his second with Swift and Wiseman helping out again. Wiseman forced a turnover deep in the offensive zone and Swift made a quick pass from behind the net to Gionta in the slot. The goal came only 55 ticks into the third.

Not to be outdone, Ryan answered with his second, coming four minutes later to make it 2-2.

As regulation neared a close, J.P. Testwuide had the game on his stick for the Phantoms. A rebound popped loose and his attempt to stuff it into the open net was denied by Jeff Frazee with his outstretched hand, securing OT and a point for the Devils. This was one of a few key stops by Frazee, which helped keep the Phantoms offense to less than two goals in regulation.

In the shootout, the Devils led 3-1 through four rounds, but goals by Ben Holmstrom and Jonathaon Kalinski sealed the victory.

Albany's streak of games with at least one power-play goal was halted at five contests. The team went 0-for-4 with the man advantage. The Phantoms were 0-of-3 on the PP.

The Devils' home stand continues on Friday, Jan. 7 with a 7 p.m. contest against the Charlotte Checkers.

Tickets can be purchased at the TUC box office or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Fans can also buy tickets via charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2011


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