Lowell Gains Three of Four Points in First Week

Published on October 14, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Rewind:
Wednesday, BRUINS 4 vs. Devils 3
Vladimir Zharkov scored two goals in his North American debut to help Lowell force overtime, but it was Providence prevailing in the shootout by a final score of 4-3. The Bruins converted three of their first six power play opportunities to stake a 3-1 lead early in the second period. Zharkov picked up his first goal of the season midway through the same frame before tying the match at 10:58 of the third. In the shootout, Providence goalie Tuukka Rask stopped all four Devils shooters, while Mikko Lethonen and Martin St. Pierre beat Scott Clemmensen to secure the win.

Saturday, DEVILS 6 vs. Sharks 4
Matt Halischuk's four-goal, five-point night paced the Devils' offense in their home opener as they downed the Sharks, 6-4. By 4:11 of the second period, Halischuk had already managed a hat trick - including a shorthanded goal - but it was his fourth of the night that gave Lowell a two-goal cushion midway through the third. Jon DiSalvatore had a career night with four assists, while Scott Clemmensen made 39 saves in the game. The Devils went 3-for-8 on the man-advantage.

In the Standings
With the young 2008-09 season just underway, the Lowell Devils (1-0-0-1) find themselves tied for second in the Atlantic Division with the Springfield Falcons (1-0-1-0). The Devils, who lost to the Bruins in the shootout on Wednesday, trail first-place Providence by just one point.

Stellar Debuts
Matt Halischuk and Jon DiSalvatore both put up fine performances during their first game in front of the Lowell Devils' faithful. Matt Halischuk potted four goals and posted five points (4g, 1a) to tie David Clarkson's team records for goals and points in a game set on 1/12/07 versus Philadelphia. With his four assists, DiSalvatore also tied the team record for assists in a game held by Olivier Magnan (2/26/08 at Manchester).

League Leaders
By virtue of his five-point game on Saturday, Matt Halischuk has thrust himself into the top spot among rookie scorers. His four goals also has Halischuk tied for the league lead in that category with Hershey's Graham Mink. Nicklas Bergfors and Jon DiSalvatore are both tied for second in the AHL in assists with four. All three Devils' players are also tied for third overall in the league with five points.

Around the Horns
The Devils are averaging 4.50 goals a game so far this season, good for fourth-best in the AHL...Lowell's man-advantage units are clicking at 25.0% efficiency (4-for-16) after its first week of play...The Devils have not allowed a third-period goal this season.

Coming Up
Lowell takes on the Manchester Monarchs in an home-and-home series that begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17 at the Tsgonas Arena. The Devils will travel north to the Verizon Wireless Arena for second game on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Lowell was 7-3-0-0 versus Manchester last season.

Promotions/In the Community

Saturday, October 18 - Devil Dawg will join Collins Dentistry at the Pelham Safety Fair in Pelham, NH.

Leaders for Lowell

Goals: Matt Halischuk (4)
Assists: Nicklas Bergfors, Jon DiSalvatore (4)
Points: Nicklas Bergfors, Jon DiSalvatore, Matt Halischuk (5)
PIM: Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (21)
Plus/Minus: Jay Leach (+3)
Wins: Scott Clemmensen (1)
G.A.A: Scott Clemmensen (3.36)
Save %: Scott Clemmensen (.900)

Last Week:
Wed 10/8 PROVIDENCE BRUINS 4 vs. Devils 3 (SO)
Sat 10/11 DEVILS 6 vs. Worcester Sharks 4

This Week:
Fri 10/17 DEVILS vs. Manchester Monarchs, 7:00 p.m., Paul E. Tsongas Arena
Sat 10/18 Devils vs. MANCHESTER MONARCHS, 7:30 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena

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American Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2008


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