SYRACUSE, NY — Paul Thompson scored the lone shootout goal, lifting the Albany Devils to a 4-3 victory against the Syracuse Crunch Friday at Onondaga County War Memorial Arena. Scott Wedgewood was perfect in the skill competition and finished with 22 saves for his 12th win.
The Devils, who are 2-2 in games decided in the shootout, won for the third time in their last four outings. They improved to 43-18-8-2. Syracuse moved to 31-27-10-4.
Brian O’Neill and Matt Lorito led the Devils with a goal and an assist each. O’Neill extended his point streak to five games (3g-3a) and Lorito now has three points (2g-1a) in as many games. Ryan Kujawinski also scored, giving him three points (1g-2a) in the last five outings.
In his 19th appearance, Wedgewood faced six shots in the first, eight in the second, eight in the third, and three in overtime.
Syracuse’s Yann Gourde started the scoring at 9:29 of the first period with a power-play goal. It was back-and-forth from then on out.
O’Neill tied the game minutes later at 12:10. Then Syracuse’s Adam Erne scored at 5:26 of the second only to be countered by Lorito at 13:23.
In the third, Kujawinski game Albany its first lead of the game at 2:05, but it didn’t last long. Tanner Richard found the back of the net at 5:35 to conclude regulation scoring.
• The Essentials
Shots: Albany 33, Syracuse 26
Power Play: Albany 0-3, Syracuse 1-2
Three Stars: 1. Paul Thompson (ALB), 2. Adam Erne (SYR), 3. Yann Gourde (SYR)
• Next Up
The Devils road trip continues with a 7:05 start against the Binghamton Senators Saturday at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. Fans can follow the action online at ahllive.com or on the radio at 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio.
