ALBANY, NY — Playing with just 11 forwards, the Albany Devils were able to dominate the Springfield Falcons, 4-1, Tuesday at Times Union Center. Ten different Devils registered at least one point and Yann Danis posted his 26th win of the season.
Albany, which is nearing a berth in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, improved to 39-16-8-1, becoming just the third team in franchise history to win 39 games. Additionally, the Devils continued their dominance on home ice, moving to 23-5-3-1. Springfield dropped to 23-33-3-5.
The majority of the scoring came during the second period when Albany erupted for three goals. Brandon Burlon’s point shot opened the scoring 59 seconds after the start and Ben Johnson scored shorthanded at 9:30. The tally was the Devils’ seventh shorthanded goal of the season and third in the last four games.
Jim O’Brien extended his point streak to seven games with his 17th marker of the season at 14:42. Since Mar. 11 when his run began, he has posted 12 points with six goals and six assists.
In the third, Matt Lorito chipped in his 16th goal for his 51st point at 14:42.
Paul Thompson and Brian O’Neill led all scorers with two assists each. Gunnar Hughes, who was signed to a PTO earlier in the day, made his AHL debut and registered his first career assist.
Danis, who was returned on loan by New Jersey Sunday, made 17 stops. The victory was his 26th of the season and he is just two behind Jeff Frazee’s 28 during the 2008-09 season for most all-time in club history.
The only shot to get past Danis came off Tyler Gaudet’s stick at 18:41 of the third period.
• The Essentials
Shots: Albany 31, Springfield 18
Power Play: Albany 0-1, Springfield 0-3
Three Stars: 1. Brian O’Neill (ALB), 2. Paul Thompson (ALB), 3. Yann Danis (ALB)
• Next Up
The Devils hit the road for back-to-back road games, starting Friday at Syracuse (7 pm). Fans can follow the action online at ahllive.com or on the radio at 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio.
