DEVILS SWEEP ADMIRALS

by Kevin Zalaznik // 1.7.2012 // Recap

 NORFOLK, Va. – During a two-game span, the Albany Devils scored eight consecutive goals to sweep a weekend series against the Norfolk Admirals at Norfolk Scope Arena. Following a dramatic 5-4 overtime win Friday, the Devils staked a 3-1 victory Saturday, improving their record against the Admirals to 4-0-0-0 this season.

Overall Albany moves to 16-13-5-2, while Norfolk goes to 21-12-1-2.

Keith Kinkaid earned his ninth win of the season and third against the Admirals by making 28 saves. In three games against Norfolk, Kinkaid has allowed just two goals.

Eric Gelinas, Stephane Veilleux and J.S. Berube each scored and Darcy Zajac registered a pair of assists. Gelinas also posted a multi-point game with the second assist on the team’s third goal – Berube’s first career tally.

Norfolk’s Richard Panik ended Kinkaid’s shutout bid with Mark Barberio and Trevor Smith posting helpers.

Riding the momentum of its four-goal comeback the night before, Albany jumped out to a 1-0 advantage 17:05 into the first period thanks to pass by Darcy Zajac from his belly. He hit Gelinas in the high slot. The goal, which was Gelinas seventh of the season, was also assisted by Mike Sislo.

Veilleux followed with a power-play tally early in the second. After Jaroslav Janus used his mask to rob Joe Whitney, the play evolved behind the net. Matt Anderson found Zajac on the left halfway, while Veilleux got open at the left hash mark. His wrist shot found the upper-left corner at 1:07.

Midway through the same period, Berube made a quick move after gathering the puck off the end boards and jammed in a try on the right post at 10:38. Brad Mills was credited with the first assist with his dump-in play.

Panik’s goal came at 7:43 while on the power play.

The Devils were outshot 29-23 and Janus finished with 20 stops.

The Devils return to the Times Union Center to host the Syracuse Crunch Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. It’s “GE Kids-In-Free” Night and all children 12-and-under will receive free admission. Additionally, the first 1,000 kids to arrive will receive a free t-shirt.

*****

Notes: Eric Gelinas extended his goal-scoring streak to two games with his seventh tally of the season. In the last six games, he has registered eight points with four goals and four assists … Stephen Veilleux moved his point streak to two games with his fifth goal … Darcy Zajac had his first multi-point game of the season. He now has 12 points with six goals and six assists … J.S. Berube netted his first career goal in his 27th career AHL game. He was reassigned by New Jersey from Trenton (ECHL) to Albany on Wednesday … Matt Anderson is now tied with Steve Zalewski (currently with New Jersey) for the team lead with 21 points. Anderson has six goals and 15 assists … Three Stars: 1. Keith Kinkaid (ALB), 2. Jean-Philippe Cote (NOR), 3. Darcy Zajac (ALB).

View Full Box Score

Albany Devils 3 at Norfolk Admirals 1 - Status: Final
Saturday, January 7, 2012 - Norfolk Scope

Albany 1 2 0 - 3
Norfolk 0 0 1 - 1

1st Period-1, Albany, Gelinas 7 (Zajac, Sislo), 17:05. Penalties-Veilleux Alb (slashing), 0:00; Perkovich Alb (tripping), 3:45; Jackson Nor (high-sticking), 7:33; Banwell Alb (hooking), 13:23; Anderson Alb (roughing), 16:02; Conacher Nor (roughing), 16:02.

2nd Period-2, Albany, Veilleux 5 (Anderson, Zajac), 1:07 (PP). 3, Albany, Berube 1 (Mills, Gelinas), 10:38. Penalties-Conacher Nor (slashing), 0:05; served by Neilson Nor (bench minor - too many men), 13:59; Anderson Alb (cross-checking), 14:22; Harrold Alb (delay of game), 16:15; served by Neilson Nor (bench minor - too many men), 18:02.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Panik 6 (Barberio, Smith), 7:43 (PP). Penalties-Neilson Nor (hooking), 0:15; Berube Alb (slashing), 6:31; Veilleux Alb (roughing), 15:46; Barberio Nor (slashing), 19:38.

Shots on Goal-Albany 11-7-5-23. Norfolk 14-7-8-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 6; Norfolk 1 / 7.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 9-10-0 (29 shots-28 saves). Norfolk, Janus 7-5-2 (23 shots-20 saves).
A-4,782
Referees-Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-Bill Lyons (27), Mark Hamlett (81).

by Kevin Zalaznik // 1.7.2012 // Preview 

Follow the Action 
Radio: 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio
Listen/Watch: ahllive.com
Tweet: @albanydevils | #ADevs

Storyline 
In each of the last three games, the Devils have mounted third-period comebacks to force overtime. For the season, the team has played in 11 overtime games, posting a 2-5 OT record and a 2-2 shootout mark.

Notables
- The Devils sit in third in the Northeast Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 15-13-5-2 record (37 pts.), while the Admirals are tied for first in the East Division and in the conference with a 21-11-1-2 mark (45 pts.) On the road this season, Albany is 6-8-2-0. At home, Norfolk is 9-5-1-1.

- Albany will be without right-winger Nick Palmieri, who was recalled by New Jersey early this morning. Palmieri sparked the AHL Devils four-goal third-period rally last night when he scored at 7:47. At the AHL level this season, he has produced three goals and an assist in 15 outings.

- Brad Mills registered a pair of assists last night, moving his point total to five (1g-4a) in 15 AHL games. He began the season with New Jersey and played 21 games before being loaned to Albany on Nov. 30.

- Keith Kinkaid and Norfolk’s Jaroslav Janus could potential be between the pipes tonights, considering they backed up during the first game of the two-game series. Kinkaid is 8-10-0 with a 3.09 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage, while Janus is 7-4-2 with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.

All-Time Series 
Meetings: 27
All-Time: 9-17-1-0
At Devils: 5-8-1-0
At Admirals: 4-9-0-0
Season Series: 3-0-0-0

Last Meeting 
Fri., Jan. 6; Albany 5 at Norfolk 4 (Overtime)
The Devils erased a four-goal deficit in the third period and Joe Whitney netted the game-winning goal at 3:31 of overtime to give the Devils a 5-4 win against Norfolk at Scope Arena. Nick Palmieri began the scoring for Albany at 7:47 of the third and was followed by goals from Mike Hoeffel at 10:06 and Matt Anderson at 10:59. With an extra attacker on the ice, Eric Gelinas netted the game-tying tally with just 26 ticks remaining. Jeff Frazee made 28 saves in goal.

Puck Drop 
The Devils and Admirals will meet eight times during the 2011-12 season and a win tonight for Albany would give them a 4-0 series advantage.