ALBANY, NY — The Albany Devils 3-0 victory Saturday against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers was overshadowed by 248 penalty minutes, including 200 during the second period. In the end however, the win was Albany’s 46th of the season, sending them into the Calder Cup Playoffs on a three-game winning streak.
The team concluded the regular season with franchise record for wins, points (102), goals against (167) and home wins (27) — just to name a few. Albany finished at 46-20-8-2, while Bridgeport — a potential first round opponent – moved to 40-28-4-3 with one game remaining.
Netminder Scott Wedgewood registered his 14th win of the season and second shutout, making 23 saves. He also helped extend the Devils shutout streak to 131 minutes and 51 seconds.
Brian O’Neill, Blake Pietila and Reid Boucher each scored and Pavel Zacha registered a pair of assists.
The Devils dominated the game from the onset, scoring twice during the first seven minutes. Zacha setup both tallies, helping Brian O’Neill score off a fast rush at 3:11 and then finding Pietila off a rebound at 6:61.
Boucher made it a 3-0 game with his 19th goal of the season and the Devils’ ninth shorthanded tally. Jim O’Brien, who has led the team with 13 points since Mar. 11, circled to find Boucher in front at 15:41.
From there the penalties became the focal point. The teams even exited the ice with 43 seconds remaining in the second period to allow time for the officials to sort everything out. Despite all of the infractions, Albany went 0-6 on the power play, while Bridgeport was 0-5.
• The Essentials
Shots: Albany 26, Bridgeport 23
Power Play: Albany 0-6, Bridgeport 0-5
Three Stars: 1. Rod Pelley (ALB), 2. Scott Wedgewood (ALB), 3. Pavel Zacha (ALB)
• Next Up
The Devils now wait to see who they will face in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Game 1 will either be Thursday or Friday at Times Union Center.
