ALBANY, NY — A similar cast of characters played a role in the Albany Devils 5-2 victory against the St. John’s IceCaps Saturday at Times Union Center. John Quenneville, Ben Thomson, and Blake Pietila scored for the second consecutive game, helping the Devils improve to 2-0-0 for the first time in franchise history.
Similar to Friday’s 3-1 win at Providence to open the 2016-17 season, the Devils found offense in the first period. Quenneville opened the scoring after Carter Camper avoided a check, taking two IceCaps players out of the play. Brandon Gormley worked the puck to Reece Scarlett who found Quenneville at the right face-off dot. The rookie went top shelf at 5:10.
Three minutes later, Ryan Kujawinski forced a turnover in the defensive zone while shorthanded. He found Kevin Rooney on a 2-on-1 at 8:30. For Rooney, who played seven games at the end of last season on an ATO, it was his first career goal.
St. John’s Chris Terry — a former Albany River Rat — responded with back-to-back goals at 53 seconds and 4:43 of the second period.
The game remained tied for just three minutes and five seconds because Rod Pelley and Ben Sexton teamed to find Thomson in front at 7:48. Not only was the tally the second of the season for Thomson, but both of his goals came from his linemates.
In the third, Blake Coleman and Joe Blandisi won a race in the offensive zone and Blandisi found Pietila alone in front for a one-timer at 13:50.
At 18:33, Max Novak sealed the victory for the Devils, scoring into an empty net goal.
Wedgewood improved to 2-0-0, making 20 stops. He is just three wins shy of his 50th career AHL victory.
The Devils’ next game is Friday at 7 pm against the Binghamton Senators at Times Union Center.
