Lowell Winless on Weekend Road Swing

Published on December 22, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


The Devils were defeated in all three contests during their three-day road swing this past weekend. The losses extended Lowell's winless streak to seven games (0-6-0-1) and kept them in seventh place in the Atlantic Division. The Devils return home after the holiday break to host the Providence Bruins on Saturday and the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday at the Tsongas Arena.

Rewind:

Friday, Devils 2 vs. PHILADELPHIA 5

Five different players scored for Philadelphia as they extended their winning streak to seven games at the Devils' expense, claiming a 5-2 victory at the Wachovia Spectrum. Patrick Davis gave Lowell a 1-0 lead two minutes into the contest with his seventh goal of the season. The Phantoms scored three unanswered before Pascal Rheaume cut their lead to one midway through the second period with his fourth of the year. Jeff Frazee made 26 saves in the loss.

Saturday, Devils 2 vs. HERSHEY 4

Down 3-0 in the second period, the Devils' rally fell just short as they lost to the Bears, 4-2. Jon DiSalvatore stepped out the penalty box and scored on the breakaway at 12:20 of the second for Lowell's first goal. Barry Tallackson's first of the year for the Devils got his team within one with 3:38 remaining. Kyle Wilson's empty-netter sealed the win for Hershey with 41 seconds left in the game. Keith Aucoin needed only 11 seconds to break the scoreless tie and give Hershey the early lead. Dave Caruso turned aside 32-of-35 shots on the night.

Sunday, Devils 0 vs. BRIDGEPORT 4

Trevor Smith recorded a goal and an assist as the Sound Tigers downed the Devils, 4-0, at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Bridgeport goalie Nigel Lawson stopped all 18 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season. Lowell was outshot, 13-5, in the first period and trailed, 1-0, going into the break after Smith's goal at 9:01. Bridgeport pulled away in the third as Smith assisted on Jeremy Colliton's marker and later notched a power play goal. Jeff Frazee stopped 27-of-31 shots.

In the Standings

Though the Devils sit in last place in the division at 11-14-1-3, the Manchester Monarchs (12-14-0-4) and Springfield Falcons (12-14-3-1) remain tied for fifth place and only two points ahead of Lowell. The Worcester Sharks have sole possession of the fourth spot at 16-14-0-0 and have a four-point cushion on Manchester and Springfield. The Hartford Wolf Pack sit alone in third place at 15-12-1-3 and trail the Portland Pirates (17-9-1-2) by three points. The first-place Providence Bruins (18-12-1-1) have opened a twelve-point gap over the Devils, but have only a one-point edge over Portland.

Around the Horns

Goalie Jeff Frazee ranks 10th in the American Hockey League with a 2.49 goals against average and fifth with a .926 save percentage...Petr Vrana is five points away from his 100th as a Lowell Devil...The Devils penalty kill was perfect in eight of nine periods during this weekend's road trip, not allowing a power play goal until 16:09 of the third on Sunday versus Bridgeport...The penalty kill had an 88.2% success rate over the three-game weekend (15-of-17).

Coming Up

The Devils begin a two-game set at home on Saturday versus their division rival, the Providence Bruins. This marks their fifth meeting in the ten-game season series. The Devils are 2-1-0-1 against the Bruins this year, but Providence scored a 3-0 victory in their most recent match-up on December 12 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Brad Mills has two goals and two assists in four games against Providence this year. The Bruins have the best record in the AHL when leading after the first period at 15-0-0-0.

The Hartford Wolf Pack visit the Tsongas Arena for this first time this season on Sunday afternoon. The Devils were defeated in the shootout, 4-3, on November 21 at the XL Center in their only other meeting this year. The Wolf Pack have only one regulation loss in their last seven contests (5-1-0-1). Over the same stretch, they are 3-0-0-1 in games decided by one goal. Lowell and Hartford will face each other six more times season, beginning January 23 on the road.

Promotions/ In the Community

Saturday, December 27 - Devils vs. Providence Bruins, 7:00pm

"$9 for '09" - All tickets are only $9.

Team Poster Giveaway - The first 3,000 fans will receive a free Lowell Devils poster, courtesy of Gridiron Authentics.

Sunday, December 28 - Devils vs. Hartford Wolf Pack, 4:00pm

Free post-game skate for all in attendance, sponsored by Eastern Bank.

Leaders for Lowell

Goals: Alexander Vasyunov (8)

Assists: Jon DiSalvatore (16)

Points: Jon DiSalvatore (22)

PIM: Matthew Corrente (69)

Plus/Minus: Nicklas Bergfors, Rod Pelley & Vladimir Zharkov (+4)

Wins: Jeff Frazee (6)

G.A.A: Jeff Frazee (2.49)

Save %: Jeff Frazee (.926)

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American Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2008


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