ALBANY, NY — Defensively, the Albany Devils accomplished the same result Friday and Saturday against the Rochester Americans. Offensively, Albany did two better, defeating Rochester, 3-0, at Times Union Center.
The back-to-back shutouts came with two different netminders. Yann Danis earned his sixth blanking Friday and Ken Appleby not only registered his first career shutout, but also his first career AHL victory. The 20-year-old made 26 saves in his third start of the season.
Graham Black registered his third goal of the season and Mike Sislo extended his point streak to four games with his team-leading 22nd tally. Sislo has five goals and an assist during that span.
Jim O’Brien added a goal — his 10th — for good measure with 34 seconds remaining.
Black started the scoring, finding a loose back off the facemask of Rochester netminder Nathan Lieuwen 2:20 after puck drop. Reece Scarlett’s point shot was deflected in front off Ben Thomson’s stick and Black was there for his first goal since Dec. 31.
Sislo followed minutes later with a one-timer from the left circle at 8:37 setup by Raman Hrabarenka’s cross-ice pass through the slot. Scarlett also assisted on the goal.
Paul Thompson setup O’Brien’s tally with a similar pass to close out Albany’s fourth win in the last five outings.
The Devils’ defense, which entered the game ranked second in the AHL with a 2.26 goals-against average, extended its shutout streak to 123 minutes and 20 seconds. Also of note, Head Coach Rick Kowalsky registered his 199th career AHL victory.
• The Essentials
Shots: Albany 26, Rochester 26
Power Play: Albany 1-3, Rochester 0-4
Three Stars: 1. Ken Appleby (ALB), 2. Graham Black (ALB), 3. Mike Sislo (ALB).
• Next Up
The Devils conclude their three-in-three weekend with a 3 pm contest against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Sunday at Times Union Center.
