Second Period Sparks Devils Past Phantoms

by Kevin Zalaznik // 1.18.2013 // Recap

GLENS FALLS, NY -- The Albany Devils used three second-period goals to help overpower the Adirondack Phantoms, 4-3, Friday at Glens Falls Civic Center. The victory gives the Devils a commanding 4-1 advantage for the Time Warner Cable Cup, which is award to the season-series winner. Overall Albany improves to 15-13-1-6, while Adirondack goes to 15-19-1-1.

Joe Whitney, Brandon Burlon and Mike Sislo each had season-high performances. Whitney registered two goals and an assist, while Burlon tied a season-best with two helpers. Sislo also contributed two assists. Matt Anderson and Harri Pesonen chipped in the Devils other goals. Albany has now scored four-or-more times in each of its last six contests.

In goal, Keith Kinkaid improved to 12-8-3 by making 27 saves on 30 shots. His night included denying Matthew Ford on a penalty shot at 8:32 of the third.

Albany, which outshot Adirondack 31-9 during the first two periods, grabbed an early lead when Anderson redirected Whitney’s shot from the left face-off circle at 3:22 of the first. However, the Phantoms answered back with goals by Jason Akeson and Marcel Noebels at 8:55 and 10:36, respectively.

Using overwhelming offensive-zone pressure, the Devils took control in the second period. Pesonen netted his seventh goal by winning a battle in front and finding an opening between Phantoms netminder Cal Heeter’s legs at 9:05.

Whitney potted the next two goals off of one-timers. The first came from a centering pass from behind the net by Steve Zalewski at 12:39 and the second was setup by Mike Sislofrom the left halfwall at 17:14. Whitney now has eight goals and 19 points, including three goals and five points in his last three games.

Adirondack’s Tye McGinn pulled his team within one with a follow-up opportunity at 10:04 of the third.

The game marked the first of four between the two teams during the next eight days. The team’s meet against Sunday at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall before a home-and-home series next Friday and Saturday. But first, the Devils remain on the road when they travel to take on the Springfield Falcons Saturday at 7 pm. The game can be heard on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio or online at ahllive.com.

Lineup 
Goaltenders: Keith Kinkaid, Jeff Frazee
Defensemen: Brandon Burlon, Eric Gelinas, Dan Kelly, Corbin McPherson, Alexander Urbom, Raman Hrabarenka
Forwards: Matt Anderson, Phil DeSimone, Mike Hoeffel, Chris McKelvie, Harri Pesonen, Tim Sestito, Mike Sislo, Joe Whitney, David Wohlberg, Darcy Zajac, Kelly Zajac, Steve Zalewski

1st Period-1, Albany, Anderson 6 (Whitney, Burlon), 3:22. 2, Adirondack, Akeson 4 (Syvret, Zolnierczyk), 8:55 (PP). 3, Adirondack, Noebels 2 (Lilja, Akeson), 10:36.
2nd Period-4, Albany, Pesonen 7 (Sislo, Burlon), 9:05. 5, Albany, Whitney 7 (Zalewski, Gelinas), 12:39. 6, Albany, Whitney 8 (Sislo), 17:14.
3rd Period-7, Adirondack, McGinn 10 (Akeson), 10:04.

Albany Devils 4 at Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Status: Final
Friday, January 18, 2013 - Glens Falls Civic Center

Albany 1 3 0 - 4
Adirondack 2 0 1 - 3

1st Period-1, Albany, Anderson 6 (Whitney, Burlon), 3:22. 2, Adirondack, Akeson 4 (Syvret, Zolnierczyk), 8:55 (PP). 3, Adirondack, Noebels 2 (Lilja, Akeson), 10:36. Penalties-served by Pesonen Alb (bench minor - too many men), 6:58; Lilja Adk (boarding), 13:05; McKelvie Alb (fighting), 16:03; Eddy Adk (fighting), 16:03; Lilja Adk (holding), 17:51.

2nd Period-4, Albany, Pesonen 7 (Sislo, Burlon), 9:05. 5, Albany, Whitney 7 (Zalewski, Gelinas), 12:39. 6, Albany, Whitney 8 (Sislo), 17:14. Penalties-McKelvie Alb (goaltender interference, fighting), 6:29; Eddy Adk (fighting), 6:29; Zajac Alb (fighting), 12:52; Lauridsen Adk (fighting), 12:52.

3rd Period-7, Adirondack, McGinn 10 (Akeson), 10:04. Penalties-Hrabarenka Alb (delay of game), 4:12.

Shots on Goal-Albany 15-16-4-35. Adirondack 5-4-21-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 0 / 2; Adirondack 1 / 3.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 12-8-3 (30 shots-27 saves). Adirondack, Heeter 6-11-1 (35 shots-31 saves).
A-4,606
Referees-Geno Binda (22).
Linesmen-Steeve Lemay (64), Marty Demers (79).

by Kevin Zalaznik // 1.18.2013 // Preview

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

Storyline 
The Albany Devils and the Adirondack Phantoms will meet four times during the next eight days, starting tonight at Glens Falls Civic Center. The two teams are competing for the Time Warner Cable Cup, which goes to the winner of the season series between the Northway Rivals. The Devils own a 3-1 advantage.

Notables 
- Albany is fourth in the Northeast Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference at 14-13-1-6 (35 pts.), including a 7-6-1-2 away record. Adirondack is fifth in the division and 14th in the conference with at 15-18-1-1 (32 pts.), featuring an 8-8-0-1 home mark.

- With recent recalls to the New Jersey Devils, Steve Zalewski and Matt Anderson are the active points leaders with 17. Zalewski has contributed six goals and 11 assists, while Anderson has posted five goals and 12 helpers.

- Joe Whitney is third among active players with 16 points, backed by six goals and 10 assists. He is also first with a plus-9 rating.

- Additions to Albany’s roster this week included Bryan Haczyk and Kelly Zajac being recalled from Trenton (ECHL) and Harry Young being reassigned by New Jersey to Albany from Kalamazoo (ECHL).

- The Phantoms are coming off a 2-1 loss at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Saturday. Marcel Noebels had the team’s goal and Scott Munroe made 22 saves on 24 shots.

- On Thursday, the Philadelphia Flyers loaned Brian Boucher and Andreas Lilja to the Adirondack Phantoms. Boucher, who has 324 NHL games played, has appeared in 120 AHL contests, posting a 62-40-9 record with a 2.65 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. Lilja, a veteran of 576 NHL games, has played in 70 AHL tilts, posting 37 points with seven goals and 30 assists.

Last Meeting 
Dec. 1, 2012: Albany 3 at Adirondack 2 
The Devils took a two-game advantage in the chase for the Time Warner Cable Cup with a 3-2 victory against the Adirondack Phantoms at Glens Falls Civic Center. The win was the first for the Devils at Glens Falls Civic Center since March 11, 2011 when they staked a 2-1 victory. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid led Albany’s defensive efforts with a season-high 44 saves on 46 shots. Offensively, Joe Whitney, Jacob Josefson and Mattias Tedenby each scored. For Adirondack, Erik Gustafsson and Tye McGinn scored and Cal Heeter made 31 saves.

All-time Series 
All-Time: 16-16-5-3
Home: 12-4-2-2
Away: 4-12-3-1
2012-13: 3-1-0-0

Puck Drop
Tonight’s game can be heard on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio, beginning at 6:50 pm. Josh Heller will have the call.