Devils Drop First Game Of Road Trip

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.19.2012 // Recap

BRIDGEPORT, CT -- Despite goals from Mike Sislo, Mattias Tedenby and Matt Anderson, the Albany Devils lost, 4-3, against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Wednesday at Webster Bank Arena. The Devils erased a pair of deficits, but Bridgeport’s Matt Donovan netted the game-winning goal midway through the third.

Albany, which is 5-1-0-1 in its last seven games, is now 9-9-0-6 on the season. Bridgeport extended its point streak to five games at 3-0-1-1 and improves to 13-11-1-2.

Sislo registered his first goal of the season, while Tedenby posted his fifth and Anderson notched his fourth. Adam Larsson had his fourth multiple-point game by registering a pair of helpers.

Goaltender Keith Kinkaid saw his five-game winning streak halted; he made 26 saves on 30 shots.

Donovan finished with two goals as did Casey Cizikas. In goal, Kevin Poulin, who was coming off a 50-save performance Saturday, earned his seventh win by making 31 saves.

Cizikas opened the scoring at 7:10 of the first before Sislo tied the game at 14:45 after swinging around the net and roofing a wrist shot from the left hash. Chris McKelvie registered his first point of the year with the assist and Larsson picked up the second helper.

Nearly a minute later, Tedenby crashed the net for a one-touch goal from Stephen Gionta and Tim Sestito at 15:54 to move Albany ahead, 2-1.

Back-to-back, second period tallies from Donovan at 1:45 and Cizikas at 12:14 regained the lead for Bridgeport, but Matt Anderson’s power-play marker form Larsson at 15:39 sent the game into the third period all square.

The winner came when Donovan creeped toward Kinkaid from near the goal line and then sent a quick shot past the Devils netminder at 12:44.

Albany outshot Bridgeport 34-30 and went 1-for-5 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Next up, The Devils travel to the Norfolk Admirals for games Friday (7:30 pm) and Saturday (7:15 pm). Fans can follow the action on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio or online at ahllive.com.

Lineup 
Goaltenders: Jeff Frazee, Keith Kinkaid
Defensemen: Brandon Burlon, Eric Gelinas, Adam Larsson, Jay Leach, 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, Bridgeport, Cizikas 7 (McDonald, Landry), 7:10. 2, Albany, Sislo 1 (McKelvie, Larsson), 14:45. 3, Albany, Tedenby 5 (Gionta, Sestito), 15:54.
2nd Period-4, Bridgeport, Donovan 2 (Watkins, Backman), 1:45. 5, Bridgeport, Cizikas 8 (Sundstrom, Persson), 12:14. 6, Albany, Anderson 4 (Larsson), 15:39 (PP).
3rd Period-7, Bridgeport, Donovan 3 (Sundstrom), 12:44.

Albany Devils 3 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 - Status: Final
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Webster Bank Arena

Albany 2 1 0 - 3
Bridgeport 1 2 1 - 4

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Cizikas 7 (McDonald, Landry), 7:10. 2, Albany, Sislo 1 (McKelvie, Larsson), 14:45. 3, Albany, Tedenby 5 (Gionta, Sestito), 15:54. Penalties-Gionta Alb (boarding), 10:24; Gelinas Alb (delay of game), 12:18; Zajac Alb (fighting), 17:18; Riley Bri (elbowing, fighting), 17:18; Burlon Alb (cross-checking), 19:27.

2nd Period-4, Bridgeport, Donovan 2 (Watkins, Backman), 1:45. 5, Bridgeport, Cizikas 8 (Sundstrom, Persson), 12:14. 6, Albany, Anderson 4 (Larsson), 15:39 (PP). Penalties-Zalewski Alb (hooking), 4:47; Sestito Alb (tripping), 10:08; Ness Bri (hooking), 13:00; Riley Bri (high-sticking), 14:47; Larsson Alb (holding), 18:47.

3rd Period-7, Bridgeport, Donovan 3 (Sundstrom), 12:44. Penalties-Ullstrom Bri (goaltender interference), 8:26; Landry Bri (high-sticking), 17:33.

Shots on Goal-Albany 13-9-12-34. Bridgeport 15-7-8-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 5; Bridgeport 0 / 6.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 6-6-3 (30 shots-26 saves). Bridgeport, Poulin 7-5-2 (34 shots-31 saves).
A-2,492
Referees-Geno Binda (22), Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-Kevin Redding (16), Marty Demers (79).

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.19.2012 // Preview

Follow the Action 
Radio: 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio 
Online: ahllive.com
Twitter: @albanydevils, @albanydevilspr, #adevils

Storyline 
The Albany Devils, who have played three less games, trail the second-place Bridgeport Sound Tigers be three points in the Northeast Division. Albany will try and improve on its 6-2-0-1 record against divisional opponents and its 5-0-0-1 mark during December.

Notables
- The Devils are tied for third in the Northeast Division and tied for 12 in the Eastern Conference with a 9-8-0-6 record (24 pts.), including a 5-3-0-2 away mark. The Sound Tigers are second in the division and tied for 10th in the conference with a 12-11-1-2 showing (27 pts.), including a 6-3-0-1 record at Webster Bank Arena.

- Goaltender Keith Kinkaid is a win away from tying the Devils record of six consecutive victories, which was accomplished by Jeff Frazee between Nov. 21-Dec. 5, 2008 and Mike McKenna between Mar. 5-19, 2011. Kinkaid’s five game winning streak includes a 1.80 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.

- The reigning CCM/AHL Player of the Week, Bobby Butler, currently owns the franchise’s third longest point streak, which is at six games. He trails Michael Swift (10 games) and Niclas Bergfors (eight games).

- Bridgeport has gone 2-0-1-1 in its last four outings and is coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at the Norfolk Admirals Saturday. Nino Niederreiter and John Persson both scored andKevin Poulin made 50 saves on 52 shots.

- The Sound Tigers are led by Nino Niederreiter, who has 27 points with 13 goals and 14 assists. Brock Nelson is second on the team with 22 points, including 11 goals and 11 assists.

Last Meeting 
Dec. 8, 2012: Albany 3 vs. Bridgeport 1
Joe Whitney, Bobby Butler and Chad Wiseman each scored as the Devils knocked off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 3-1, at Times Union Center. Keith Kinkaid earned his third win of the season by turning aside 22 shots. His shutout bid was spoiled with just 2:07 remaining when Bridgeport’s Nino Niederreiter found an opening.

Albany led for the majority of the game. Whitney scored at 12:37 of the first and Butler and Wiseman followed with second period tallies at 4:42 and 11:31. Albany out shot Bridgeport, 25-23, and went 1-for-5 on the power play. The Sound Tigers man-advantage unit was stymied, 0-for-4.

All-time Series 
All-Time: 13-16-3-5
2012-13: 1-0-0-0
Home: 11-5-1-2
Away: 2-11-2-3

Puck Drop 
Tonight’s game marks the beginning of a four game road trip for the Devils. They travel to Norfolk for games Friday and Saturday and then to Springfield on Dec. 27.