BRIDGEPORT, CT – For the first time this season, the Albany Devils squandered a third-period lead to lose in regulation. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers scored three times during the final frame to defeat the Devils, 4-2, Sunday at Webster Bank Arena. Entering the game, Albany was 28-0-3-0 when leading after the second period.
The Devils were handicapped, playing with a depleted lineup after goaltender Scott Wedgewood and Vojtech Mozik were recalled by New Jersey prior to the game. Up front, Graham Black (ill) and Chris McKelvie (upper) were unavailable, forcing Albany to dress 11 forwards and seven defenseman.
The setback ended the Devils’ six-game point streak (5-0-0-1) and was just their fourth regulation loss in the last 20 contests (14-4-1-1). Overall, Albany moved to 38-16-8-1. Bridgeport extended their winning streak to five games and improved to 36-23-3-3.
Rod Pelley and Paul Thompson supplied the Devils’ goals. Netminder Ken Appleby had his three-game winning streak halted despite making 24 saves.
Two forced turnovers in the offensive zone led to Albany’s two tallies. Nick Lappin picked up the puck near the left face-off dot and Pelley redirected the shot between the body of Bridgeport netminder Stephon Williams at 6:46 of the first. The tally was Pelley’s eighth of the season, while Lappin registered his fifth points (3g-2a) in his first six AHL games.
After Bridgeport’s Connor Jones made it a 1-1 game on a semi-breakaway attempt at 6:22 of the second, O’Brien tipped a breakout pass in the direction of Thompson, who picked the upper-right corner at 16:01 of the same period. Thompson increased his goal total to 12 and O’Brien extended his point streak to six games, posting five goals and six helpers during the run.
In the third, Bridgeport’s Alan Quine tied the game, 2-2, just 33 second after the puck drop. The tally came as a Devils’ interference penalty ended. Then the Sound Tigers officially took advantage of a power play for the go-ahead goal; Matt Finn beat Appleby at 7:19.
James Wright capped the scoring with an empty-net goal with 1:08 remaining in regulation.
• The Essentials
Shots: Albany 27, Bridgeport 28
Power Play: Albany 0-2, Bridgeport 1-4
Three Stars: 1. Matt Finn (BRI), 2. Alan Quine (BRI), 3. James Wright (BRI)
• Next Up
The Devils return to Times Union Center for a Tuesday contest against the Springfield Falcons. Puck drop is at 7 pm and fans can follow the action online at ahllive.com.
