Late Goal Not Enough

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.21.2012 // Recap

NORFOLK, VA – The Albany Devils ran out of time against the Norfolk Admirals, falling 2-1 Friday at Norfolk Scope Arena. Matt Anderson netted his fifth goal of the season and second in as many games and Jeff Frazee turned aside 28 shots.

Albany moves to 9-10-0-6, while Norfolk improves to 12-13-1-0.

Anderson spoiled Norfolk netminder Igor Bobkov’s shutout bid with 25.9 second remaining. The goal was a product of a pass through the goal crease by Mike Sislo to Anderson for a one-timer. At the time, the Devils were pressuring with an extra attacker on the ice.

After the ensuing faceoff, Albany regained control in the offensive end, but Norfolk fought off the Devils last-second push.

In his 10th start, Frazee made 12 saves in the first, 13 in the second and three in the third. At the other end, Bobkov finished with 35 saves, including 25 in the last two periods. Albany outshot Norfolk, 36-30.

Norfolk’s Devante Smith-Pelly and Patrick Maroon each had power-play goals on similar plays. Both tallies come off rebounds from shots from the outside in the first period. Smith-Pelly’s came at 4:00 and Maroon’s came at 16:31.

One of the Devils best opportunities came during and shortly after a five-on-three power play near the end of the second period. As the Norfolk players returned to the ice, Anderson gained control of a loose puck atop the left face-off circle. He sent a pass through the slot and Harri’s Pesonen’s one-timer found its way into the back of the net. However, the official ruled that Bobkov dislodged the net before the puck crossed the goal line.

The two teams meet again Saturday at 7:15 pm at Scope Arena. The game can be heard on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio or followed online at ahllive.com.

Lineup 
Goaltenders: Jeff Frazee, Keith Kinkaid
Defensemen: Eric Gelinas, Raman Hrabarenka, Adam Larsson, Jay Leach, Corbin McPherson, Alexander Urbom
Forwards: Matt Anderson, Bobby Butler, Stephen Gionta, Chris McKelvie, Harri Pesonen, Tim Sestito, Mike Sislo, Mattias Tedenby, Joe Whitney, David Wohlberg,Darcy Zajac, Steve Zalewski

Scoring 
1st Period-1, Norfolk, Smith-Pelly 5 (Guentzel, Guenin), 4:00 (PP). 2, Norfolk, Maroon 8 (Vatanen, Holland), 16:31 (PP).
2nd Period- No Scoring.
3rd Period-3, Albany, Anderson 5 (Sislo), 19:34.

Albany Devils 1 at Norfolk Admirals 2 - Status: Unofficial Final
Friday, December 21, 2012 - Norfolk Scope

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

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Smith-Pelly 5 (Guentzel, Guenin), 4:00 (PP). 2, Norfolk, Maroon 8 (Vatanen, Holland), 16:31 (PP). Penalties-Wohlberg Alb (holding the stick), 2:24; Gelinas Alb (double minor - high-sticking), 4:15; Maroon Nor (goaltender interference), 4:22; Elkins Nor (delay of game), 11:15; Leach Alb (tripping), 15:30; McMillan Nor (slashing), 16:47.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-McKelvie Alb (interference), 2:43; Palmieri Nor (hooking), 7:05; Schaus Nor (hooking), 9:05; Zalewski Alb (high-sticking), 9:27; Wohlberg Alb (slashing), 12:29; McMillan Nor (high-sticking), 15:10; Guenin Nor (delay of game), 15:14; Sislo Alb (slashing), 17:50.

3rd Period-3, Albany, Anderson 5 (Sislo), 19:34. Penalties-Wohlberg Alb (cross-checking), 1:21; McKelvie Alb (fighting), 7:06; Rosehill Nor (elbowing, fighting), 7:06; Parent Nor (high-sticking), 7:31; Etem Nor (hooking), 12:37; Hendry Nor (roughing), 16:32; Butler Alb (cross-checking), 16:45.

Shots on Goal-Albany 10-12-14-36. Norfolk 14-13-3-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 0 / 10; Norfolk 2 / 9.
Goalies-Albany, Frazee 3-3-3 (30 shots-28 saves). Norfolk, Bobkov 4-7-0 (36 shots-35 saves).
A-4,041
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42), Jason Rollins (37).
Linesmen-Ryan Daisy (90), Scott Adams (20).

by Kevin Zalaznik // 12.21.2012 // Preview

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

Storyline 
After having their six-game point streak snapped on the road Wednesday against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Albany Devils face the Norfolk Admirals for the first of two games this weekend. Like in years past, Albany is playing back-to-back games at Scope Arena and last season they swept the Admirals with a 5-4 overtime win on Jan. 6 and a 3-1 victory on Jan. 7.

Notables
- The Devils are tied for third place in the Northeast Division and are tied for 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 9-9-0-6 record (24 pts.), including a 5-4-0-2 road mark. The Admirals are fifth in the East Division and tied for 14th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-13-1-0 mark (23 pts.). The Admirals are 6-6-1-0 at Norfolk Scope Arena.

- Coming off a two-assist performance, Adam Larsson is third on the team and first among defensemen with 14 points backed by two goals and 12 assists. Additionally, he has registered four multi-point games.

- Matt Anderson, who netted a power-play goal Wednesday, leads the club with a plus-8 rating. In 23 games, he has produced 11 points with four goals and seven assists.

- The Admirals, who are 4-5-1-0 in their last 10 games, are coming off a 4-0 loss at the Hershey Bears Wednesday.

- Norfolk is led by Peter Holland’s 25 points. In 24 games, he has registered a team-high 11 goals and 14 assists. Kyle Palmieri and Patrick Maroon are second and third on the team for points. Palmieri has 19 with nine goals and 10 assists, while Maroon has 16 with seven goals and nine assists.

Last Meeting
Nov. 12, 2012: Albany 4 vs. Norfolk 5 (Shootout) 
The Devils fought back from two goals down in the third period, but lost, 5-4, in a shootout to the Norfolk Admirals at Times Union Center. Matt Anderson scored shorthanded andAdam Larsson netted his first goal of the season to force extra time. In the shootout, Joe Whitney scored for Albany, but Norfolk received tallies from Peter Holland and Patrick Maroon.

Chad Wiseman and Tim Sestito also scored and Steve Zalewski and Alexander Urbom each registered a pair of assists. In goal, Jeff Frazee turned aside a season-high 31 shots. Norfolk received two goals from Kyle Palmieri and markers from Luca Caputi and Holland.

Both of Palmieri’s goals came after concurrent Albany penalties that handed Norfolk a two man advantage early in the third period. Admirals goaltender Frederik Andersen earned the victory by making 39 stops.

All-Time Series 
All-Time: 10-21-1-1
2012-13: 0-0-0-1
Home: 5-10-1-1
Away: 5-11-0-0

Puck Drop
Fans can hear the action on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio, beginning with a 10 minute pregame show, starting at 7:20 pm. The game can also be followed online at ahllive.com.