Devils Get Point, Lose In Shootout

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.15.2012 // Recap

ALBANY, NY – The Albany Devils attempt for a record sixth straight victory was halted by the Providence Bruins, 2-1, in a shootout Saturday at Times Union Center. Jeff Frazee, who allowed just one regulation goal in his first start since Nov. 30, helped keep Albany alive during a marathon shootout session. In the end, Providence’s David Warsofsky netted the deciding goal in the ninth round, giving his team a 3-2 shootout advantage.

Frazee improved his goals-against average to 2.07 and his save percentage to .923 by making 27 saves on 28 shots.

With a goal, Bobby Butler extended his scoring streak to six games -- his stretch is tied for the third longest in franchise history. He is now second on the team with 15 points, including a team-high 10 goals. In the last three contests, Butler has six goals and an assist.

Bruins rookie defenseman Zach Trotman opened the scoring with a seeing-eye shot from the point at 10:46 of the first period. Jamie Tardif, who registered a Hat Trick Friday against the Springfield Falcons, was credited with the assist.

In the second, Adam Larsson and Joe Whitney worked the puck near the top of the left face-off circle. Whitney walked the half-wall and then sent a pass through two defensemen and found a cutting Butler for the one-touch, power-play tally at 5:59. The assist was Whitney’s seventh point in the last six games and Larsson registered his club-best 10th helper.

After a scoreless third and overtime, the Devils received shootout goals from Mattias Tedenby in the first round and Mike Sislo in the third. The Bruins had goals from Tardif in the second, Chris Bourque in the third and finally Warsofsky in the ninth round.

Next up, the Devils travel to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for a 7 pm contest Wednesday. Fans can catch the action on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN and online at ahllive.com.

Lineup 
Goaltenders: Jeff Frazee, Keith Kinkaid
Defensemen: Brandon Burlon, Eric Gelinas, Dan Kelly, Adam Larsson, Corbin McPherson, Alexander Urbom
Forwards: Matt Anderson, Bobby Butler, Stephen Gionta, Jacob Josefson, Chris McKelvie, Harri Pesonen, Tim Sestito, Mike Sislo, Mattias Tedenby, Joe Whitney,Darcy Zajac, Steve Zalewski

Scoring 
1st Period-1, Providence, Trotman 2 (Tardif), 10:46.
2nd Period-2, Albany, Butler 10 (Whitney, Larsson), 5:58 (PP).
3rd Period- No Scoring.
OT Period- No Scoring.
Shootout - Providence 3 (Spooner NG, Tardif G, Bourque G, Cunningham NG, Camper NG, Sauve NG, MacKinnon NG, Caron NG, Warsofsky G), Albany 2 (Tedenby G, Whitney NG, Sislo G, Zalewski NG, Butler NG, Anderson NG, Pesonen NG, Josefson NG, Gionta NG).

Providence Bruins 2 (SO) at Albany Devils 1 - Status: Final SO
Saturday, December 15, 2012 - Times Union Center

Providence 1 0 0 0 - 2
Albany 0 1 0 0 - 1

1st Period-1, Providence, Trotman 2 (Tardif), 10:46. Penalties-Robins Pro (double minor - high-sticking), 6:10; Camper Pro (high-sticking), 19:08.

2nd Period-2, Albany, Butler 10 (Whitney, Larsson), 5:58 (PP). Penalties-Button Pro (delay of game), 4:09; Sestito Alb (hooking), 9:26; MacDermid Pro (roughing), 17:33; Tedenby Alb (slashing, slashing), 18:35.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Urbom Alb (interference), 1:13; Cunningham Pro (hooking), 13:43; Warsofsky Pro (holding), 15:50; Trotman Pro (high-sticking), 19:46.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout - Providence 3 (Spooner NG, Tardif G, Bourque G, Cunningham NG, Camper NG, Sauve NG, MacKinnon NG, Caron NG, Warsofsky G), Albany 2 (Tedenby G, Whitney NG, Sislo G, Zalewski NG, Butler NG, Anderson NG, Pesonen NG, Josefson NG, Gionta NG).
Shots on Goal-Providence 8-13-4-3-1-29. Albany 12-8-8-1-0-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 0 / 3; Albany 1 / 8.
Goalies-Providence, Hutchinson 3-4-1 (29 shots-28 saves). Albany, Frazee 3-3-3 (28 shots-27 saves).
A-3,441
Referees-David Banfield (77).
Linesmen-Jim Harper (59), Jud Ritter (34).

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.15.2012 // Preview

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

Storyline 
The Albany Devils and the Providence Bruins are both riding lengthy winning streaks. The Devils run stands at five games, which is tied for a franchise record, while the Bruins stretch is at four games.

Notables
- The Devils are fourth in the Northeast Division and tied for 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 9-8-0-5 record (23 pts.), including a 4-5-0-2 home mark. The Bruins are tied for first in the Atlantic Division and tied for third in the conference with a 13-8-0-2 record (28 pts.), including a 6-4-0-0 road showing.

- Albany knocked off the Connecticut Whale Friday, 4-3, at XL Center. Tim Sestito, Eric Gelinas and Bobby Butler all scored and Harri Pesonen netted the game-winning goal with 2:19 remaining in regulation.

- Jacob Josefson has registered four points in the last two games, producing pairs of assists against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Wednesday and at Connecticut Friday. Fellow Swede,Mattias Tedenby, also registered two helpers against the Whale. He now has four points in the last five contests.

- Providence is coming off a 6-3 win against the Springfield Falcons. Jamie Tardif registered a Hat Trick and was credited with the game-winning goal. Lane MacDermid and Ryan Spooner also scored.

- Chris Bourque leads the Bruins with 20 points with two goals and a team-high 18 assists. Jamie Tardif is second with 17 points, including a team-best 13 goals.

Last Meeting 
Nov. 9, 2012: Albany 1 at Providence 2 (Shootout) 
The shootout between the Albany Devils and the Providence Bruins resembled the 65 minutes that preceded it. The Devils scored first, but Bruins forward Chris Bourque erased the lead. In the end, Providence’s Jamie Tardif’s shootout goal in the fifth round sunk Albany, 2-1, at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid made 37 saves. Adam Henrique was the Devils lone scorer during regulation and Matt Anderson found the back of the net in the second round of the shootout. For Providence, rookie netminder Niklas Svedberg turned away 26 shots and made four saves on five shootout attempts.

Puck Drop
Tonight’s game will feature the annual “Teddy Bear Toss.” Fans are encouraged to bring new or slightly used Teddy Bears or stuffed animals to the game. An announcement will be made and fans can throw the stuffed animals onto the ice. They will be collected and distributed to the Albany Boys and Girls Club and the Albany Police Athletic League (P.A.L.).