GDT: AHL Playoffs - Albany Devils vs. Utica Comets: Game One

[Cheddabombs]

It's playoff time boys and girls! AHL playoffs but still the playoffs!

It will be our Albany Devils

Up against the Utica Comets

I'm unsure of who Albany's lineup will consist of but we do know there will be a few key guys to keep an eye out


Pavel Zacha

Damon Severson

Joe Blandisi

And Reid Boucher, among others

Let's start this series off right, margin for error is much less in a 5 game set! Let's go Devils!!​

Click to read more...

 

[markog]

Very nice.

 

[JimEIV]

Albany set franchise records with victories (46), points (102), fewest goals against (167) and wins at home (27).

The 46 wins are tied (1994-95 and 1998-99) for second most in Albany AHL history.

Their 102 points, recorded in 76 games, rank fourth all-time in Albany AHL history.

Within those 27 home victories, Albany tied the 1995-96 squad with a run of eleven consecutive home wins.

Head Coach Rick Kowalsky earned the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award, as AHL Coach of the Year - The last Albany coach to win the Pieri was Robbie Ftorek in 1996. He also won it the year before in 1995 -- Albany also won the Calder Cup in 1995


Seeing a lot of "since the 1990's" in some of these numbers.

 

[OmNomNom]

HAHAHA. very nice picture of blender you got there. also

 

[BomaLightDevils]

Does horvat, McCan play tonight?

 

[Devils Dominion]

I'm cautiously optimistic & def pumped up for this series.

Utica is a good team, but IMO if Albany gives a 100% effort each night they should advance.
One game at a time.

Good to have any type of Devils playoffs hockey, makes it better with the handful of players that spent some time up in NJ this season.

I also wonder if Horvat, Virtanen, McCann and Demko will play this series for Utica.

Good thing Shinkaruk got dealt to Calgary earlier this season.

 

[OmNomNom]

Does horvat, McCan play tonight?

i read somewhere that everyone for utica is skating. helpful read btw

http://www.uticacomets.com/news/detail/round-1-playoff-notebook-1

FRIDAY, 4/22 - GAMEDAY

11:44am: Richard Bachman was the first goaltender to head to the locker room for the Comets. Indicates he is your starting goalie tonight. His career 1.99 goals against average, and .936 save percentage in 18 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs games will be tested by the Devils tonight.

Skaters getting extra work: Currier, Lain, Landry, Pereira, Valk, Hamilton,and Bubela.

10:57am: The Devils are on the ice wrapping up their morning skate. In a bit of a surprise, the Devils appear to be starting Scott Wedgewood in net net tonight. Yann Danis was the first goaltender off the ice. 6'4", 230-lb. defenseman Raman Hrabarenka is getting extra work in, as well as Corbin McPherson. It appears neither will play tonight.

 

[njdevils1982]

posted these before but for those who havent seen them…..

 

[EliasFTW]

Should see if i can get tickets

 

[Devils Dominion]

Should see if i can get tickets

How far is the drive from Utica to Albany?
hour and a half?

Tix are available for both games this weekend in Albany.

May be tight in Utica since their rink only seats around 4k, right?

 

[Bleedred]

If Horvat burns us, we lost the trade.

It would be nice to see Hoeffel get hot.

 

[Devils Dominion]

If Horvat burns us, we lost the trade.

It would be nice to see Hoeffel get hot.

Might as well watch Wayne Simmonds tonight.

 

[Devils Dominion]

posted these before but for those who havent seen them…..

Awesome footage.

Not to hijack the thread and beat a dead horse, but, they should go back to the River Rats name, if they are legally allowed to.

 

[Bleedred]

Might as well watch Wayne Simmonds tonight.

I purposely posted that part about Hoeffel, just to get your attention personally. Since I know he's one of your favorite Devils prospects of all time.

I came across something about Hoeffel just a few minutes ago. Maybe it's a sign, even though he no longer is in the organization?

 

[Zippy316]

Awesome footage.

Not to hijack the thread and beat a dead horse, but, they should go back to the River Rats name, if they are legally allowed to.

I don't think they ever will and I don't think they should.

If Shero and the Devils continue their social media and community outreach (and keep the team competitive), I think that will generate enough buzz to attract fans to the games.

Sure, the sentimental factor would be there if they changed the name back, but it's better to brand the Devils. Just look at Wilkes-Barre and that team has been pretty successful even if it's in Flyers territory because the Penguins have kept the team competitive.

 

[Zippy316]

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

I miss the River Rats. Way more character than the "Devils".

 

[Devils Dominion]

Puck drops in less than 3 hours.

If you bought tix that are at the Will Call window, hurry up and get there early.

 

[NJDevs26]

I don't think they ever will and I don't think they should.

If Shero and the Devils continue their social media and community outreach (and keep the team competitive), I think that will generate enough buzz to attract fans to the games.

Sure, the sentimental factor would be there if they changed the name back, but it's better to brand the Devils. Just look at Wilkes-Barre and that team has been pretty successful even if it's in Flyers territory because the Penguins have kept the team competitive.

Considering it was the prior regime that changed the name over who knows...though like you say Shero had a minor league team in Pittsburgh and never changed the Penguin name from that so maybe he likes the cross-branding. I think they should go back to River Rats to give the minor league team some seperate personality and to throw back to the glory days, but ultimately it really doesn't matter either way. What's going to sell the product is like always, having a competitive team and engaging the fanbase.

 

[EliasFTW]

How far is the drive from Utica to Albany?
hour and a half?

Tix are available for both games this weekend in Albany.

May be tight in Utica since their rink only seats around 4k, right?

Im actually on the right side of Utica so Albany is less then a hour away. I know a few guys who are STH for the comets so i might be able to pry a extra tickets too

 

[Devilsfan992]

Why in God's name is the Playoff Package for AHL $250

 

[Devilsfan992]

posted these before but for those who havent seen them…..

That team had so much talent

 

[Devilsfan992]

$45 dollar team package is not too bad, just wish it was more than 2 rounds.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Are single games available at TheAHL.com?

 

[Devilsfan992]

are single games available at theahl.com?

$10 .