Merril Nets First, But Devils Fall to Bruins

April 5, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


ALBANY, NY -- The Albany Devils three game point streak ended with a 4-1 loss against the Providence Bruins Friday at Times Union Center.

Jon Merrill recorded his first career goal and Jay Leach registered his fourth point in as many nights with an assist. In goal, Keith Kinkaid made 24 saves on 28 attempts.

Providence's Alexander Khokhlachev had a pair of goals, while Justin Florek and Chrisitian Hanson also scored. In goal, Niklas Svedberg, the reigning AHL Rookie of the Month, made 18 saves on 19 shots.

The Bruins jumped out to a 1-0 lead, scoring the only goal of the first period 17 seconds into the contest on a point shot from Florek. They added three goals in the second as Hanson's goal at 9:26 was sandwiched by two Khokhlachev tallies at 5:40 and 19:10.

Merrill's milestone goal came at 16:00 of the third on a shot from the point that found its way past a screened Svedberg.

Notes & Numbers

- Albany falls to 29-27-1-11 with the loss, while Providence improves to 42-21-0-5.

- With his tally Jon Merrill extended his point streak to four games. He has registered at least one point in each of his four appearances this season.

- After an eight-game layoff with a lower-body injury, Dan Kelly was back on the ice and was paired with Eric Gelinas.

- Earlier in the day, New Jersey recalled Jacob Josefson from Albany. The center just returned to the Albany lineup Tuesday after missing nine consecutive games with an upper-body injury.

- During the second intermission, the Devils announced the signing of defenseman Seth Helgeson to an amateur tryout agreement. Helgeson, 22, was drafted in the fourth round (114th overall) by New Jersey during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He joins Albany after four seasons with the University of Minnesota of the WCHA.

- Justin Florek's goal at 0:17 of the first was the fastest goal against the Devils to start a game this season.



American Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2013


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