ALBANY, NY – After clawing back from a two goal deficit, the Albany Devils lost in overtime, 3-2, to the Hartford Wolf Pack Wednesday at Times Union Center. The setback ends the Devils franchise record 11-game home winning streak as Albany lost for just the fourth time on home ice this season (15-2-2-0).
Box Score | Highlights & Postgame Reaction
Chad Nehring was responsible for the deciding goal, which came with 33 seconds remaining in the extra frame. He picked up a loose rebound to the left of the Devils net and Scott Wedgewood’s desperation dive wasn’t in time as Hartford registered its sixth consecutive victory.
Ben Thomson scored both of Albany’s goals, tying a career high which he established just three games into his rookie season on Oct. 24, 2014 at Hartford.
Hartford’s Nicklas Jensen and Ryan Bourque scored back-to-back goals during the opening minutes of the second period to go up, 2-0. Thomson got Albany on the board, scoring through a mass of bodies near the top of the crease at 15:54 of the same period.
He scored again minutes later at 18:55, firing a wrist shot past Magnus Hellberg from the left faceoff dot.
The team’s played a scoreless third period, setting the stage for Albany’s ninth OT game of the season (3-0-6-0).
Scott Wedgwood, who made 14 saves, has helped the Devils to points in seven consecutive games. He is 5-0-2 during that span with a 1.54 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.
With 32 saves, Hellberg posted his 14th victory.
The Devils hit the halfway point of the season and are in possession of a 23-9-6-0 record – the best mark at this point of the season in franchise history. The 2013-14 squad – the last to make the playoffs – was 22-11-3-2 and the 2009-10 team – also made the playoffs – was 21-14-3-0. Last season, the Devils were 17-14-2-5 after 38 games.
As for the team’s home winning streak: it tied for the longest in Albany’s AHL history. The 1995-96 River Rats won 11 straight between Jan. 6 and Feb. 23 of that season. The Devils run is the second longest in the AHL this year — Grand Rapids won 14-consecutive between Nov. 11 and Jan. 15.
• The Essentials
Shots: Albany 34, Hartford 17
Power Play: Albany 0-3, Hartford 0-2
Three Stars: 1. Chad Nehring (HFD), 2. Ben Thomson (ALB), 3. Magnus Hellberg (HFD)
• Next Up
The Devils play back-to-back games against the St. John’s IceCaps, starting Friday at 7 pm at Times Union Center.
