Devils Starting to Roll

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.8.2012 // Recap

ALBANY, NY -- Joe Whitney, Bobby Butler and Chad Wiseman each scored as the Albany Devils knocked off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 3-1, Saturday at Times Union Center. The win was the second in as many games for the Devils, who are now 6-8-0-5.

Goaltender Keith Kinkaid earned third win of the season by turning aside 22 shots. He is now 3-5-3 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.

Whitney opened the scoring with a redirection off an Adam Larsson point shot at 12:37 of the first. The goal was Whitney’s third of the season and seventh point in the last 11 games, while the assist was Larsson’s seventh point in the last nine. By working the puck to the point, Steve Zalewski also registered an assist.

Albany’s scoring continued in the second period. Butler scored on a one-timer at the left doorstep at 4:42 while working a 5-on-3 power play. Wiseman fed him the pass through the slot and Whitney picked up the second assist.

Midway through the period Wiseman made the score 3-0 when he banged home a rebound off a Mattias Tedenby shot that caught the post. Stephen Gionta, who was signed to an AHL contract Monday, started the progression by finding Tedenby as he entered the zone.

Bridgeport’s Nino Niederreiter concluded the scoring, spoiling Kinkaid’s shutout bid with 2:07 remaining in the game.

Albany out shoot Bridgeport, 25-23, and went 1-for-5 on the power play. The Sound Tigers (10-11-0-1) man-advantage unit was stymied, 0-for-4.

The Devils head to the Connecticut Whale Sunday for a 3 pm contest at XL Center. Fans can follow the action on ahllive.com.

Lineup 
Goaltenders: Keith Kinkaid, Jeff Frazee
Defensemen: Eric Gelinas, Dan Kelly, Adam Larsson, Jay Leach, Corbin McPherson, Alexander Urbom
Forwards: Bobby Butler, Stephen Gionta, Jacob Josefson, Chris McKelvie, Scott Parse, Harri Pesonen, Tim Sestito, Mattias Tedenby, Joe Whitney, Chad Wiseman, Darcy Zajac, Steve Zalewski

Scoring 
1st Period-1, Albany, Whitney 3 (Larsson, Zalewski), 12:37.
2nd Period-2, Albany, Butler 4 (Wiseman, Whitney), 4:42 (PP). 3, Albany, Wiseman 3 (Tedenby, Gionta), 11:31.
3rd Period-4, Bridgeport, Niederreiter 11 17:53.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 at Albany Devils 3 - Status: Final
Saturday, December 8, 2012 - Times Union Center

Bridgeport 0 0 1 - 1
Albany 1 2 0 - 3

1st Period-1, Albany, Whitney 3 (Larsson, Zalewski), 12:37. Penalties-Cantin Bri (interference), 1:07; Watkins Bri (interference), 1:32; Urbom Alb (interference), 7:23; Backman Bri (slashing), 9:34; McIver Bri (fighting), 14:46; McKelvie Alb (fighting), 14:46.

2nd Period-2, Albany, Butler 4 (Wiseman, Whitney), 4:42 (PP). 3, Albany, Wiseman 3 (Tedenby, Gionta), 11:31. Penalties-McIver Bri (tripping), 3:37; Cizikas Bri (interference), 3:59; Kelly Alb (charging), 8:55.

3rd Period-4, Bridgeport, Niederreiter 11   17:53. Penalties-Zalewski Alb (hooking), 1:02; Gallant Bri (roughing, misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:55; Josefson Alb (major - boarding), 6:55; Larsson Alb (misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:55; Donovan Bri (hooking), 8:05.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 3-12-8-23. Albany 7-10-8-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 4; Albany 1 / 5.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Nilsson 4-5-0 (25 shots-22 saves). Albany, Kinkaid 3-5-3 (23 shots-22 saves).
A-3,006
Referees-Dave Lewis (46), Geoff Miller (28).
Linesmen-Marty Demers (79), Paul Simeon (66).

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.7.2012 // Preview

Follow the Action 
Online: ahllive.com
Tweet: @albanydevils, @albanydevilspr, #adevils

Storyline 
The Albany Devils are trying for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Coming off a 3-2 victory at the Adirondack Phantoms last Saturday, Albany welcomes the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the first of two divisional contests for the Devils this weekend.

Notables 
- As of Friday, the Devils are fifth in the Northeast Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference with a 5-8-0-5 record (15 pts.), including a 2-5-0-3 showing at home. The Sound Tigers are third in the division and tied for 10th in the conference with a 10-10-0-1 record, including a 5-7-0-0 mark on the road.

- Stephen Gionta, who was signed to an AHL contract Monday, could be available for Saturday’s game. Last season, he appeared in 56 games, producing 16 points with six goals and 10 assists before being recalled by the New Jersey Devils on April 5. Gionta was a member of the 2012 Eastern Conference Championship team, playing in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He registered seven points with three goals and four assists.

- Both Jacob Josefson and Adam Larsson have six points in the last nine games. Josefson has registered four goals and two assists, while Larsson has posted two goals and four helpers.

- Bridgeport is winless in its last seven games, including a 4-2 setback at the Connecticut Whale Wednesday. Jon Landry and John Persson scored for the Sound Tigers and Anders Nilsson made 19 saves on 23 shots.

- Nino Niederreiter leads the team with 21 points, including a team-high 10 goals and 11 assists. He is also tied for first with 10 assists.

Last Meeting 
March 2, 2012: Albany 5 vs. Bridgeport 2
Paced by a pair of Steve Zalewski power-play goals, the Devils cruised by the Sound Tigers, 5-2, at Times Union Center. Mattias Tedenby and Joe Whitney each posted a goal and an assist and Brad Mills also scored. Helping out, Dan Kelly and Mike Sislo each registered a pair of assists. In goal, Jeff Frazee made 24 saves.

All-time Series 
All-Time: 12-16-3-5
2012-12: 0-0-0-0
Home: 10-5-1-2
Away: 2-11-2-3

Puck Drop
Fans who can’t make it to Times Union Center can follow the action online at ahllive.com.