HARTFORD, CT – Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, the Albany Devils scored twice during the final 10:40 and then won in overtime to defeat the Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-3, Friday at XL Center. Kevin Rooney and Ben Sexton combined for the third-period goals and Miles Wood netted the winner.
The victory moves the Devils into first place in the North Division at 11-6-0-0, while the Wolf Pack move to 5-10-3-0.
• Box Score
Seth Helgeson joined Rooney, Sexton and Wood on the score sheet. Mackenzie Blackwood ended his two-game slide, earning his fourth win of the season. He finished with 24 stops.
Rooney’s fourth goal of the year and second in as many games sparked the Devils at the 10:40 mark of the third period. Then Sexton registered an unassisted tally – his third goal of the campaign – at 13:29 to pull the game even. In overtime, Blake Pietila fresh from his stint in the NHL setup Wood at 1:43 for his first career game-winning goal.
The Devils had found themselves behind after Chris Brown scored at 9:55 of the first and Matt Carey followed at 2:56 of the second.
Helgeson’s second tally of the season – tying a career high – came at 13:55 of the middle frame to pull the Devils within one. Petr Straka was credited with the primary assist for his third point (1g-2a) in the last four games. Blake Coleman had the secondary helper, giving him two points (1g-1a) in as many games.
After Albany got on the board, Adam Tambellini made it a 3-1 scored at 17:38 of the second on the power play.
The Devils return to Times Union Center Saturday at the Albany River Rats. The team will wear special thrown throwback jerseys for its 5 pm outing against the Rochester Americans.
