Saturday, November 24, 2007

Devils Bitten By Wolf Pack In OT, 3-2
Gionta's late goal helps Lowell gain point on road

 

HARTFORD, Conn. - Stephen Gionta’s power play goal with 66 seconds remaining allowed the Lowell Devils to reach overtime, but Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau notched the game-winner in the extra session to give the Hartford Wolf Pack the win, 3-2, at the Hartford Civic Center. 

With the score set at 2-1 in the Wolf Pack’s favor late in the third, left wing Lauri Korpikoski took a holding penalty at 18:11 that gave the Devils the man-advantage and a chance to tie.  After goalie Frank Doyle skated to the bench for the extra attacker, Gionta knotted the score when he tipped Noah Clarke’s slapshot from the top of the near circle by Miika Wiikman for his sixth marker of the year

Making their second visit to overtime this season, Lowell would stay winless in sudden death as Parenteau took a pass in the slot from Corey Potter and ripped a low wrister under the pad of Doyle at 3:52 to clinch the victory.

The Devils ended a scoring drought of 170:41 and drew first blood on their second man-advantage of the contest.   In his first game back since November 2, defenseman Rosario Ruggeri skated down from the blue line to fire a wrist shot that Wiikman got a piece of with his shoulder. Petr Vrana, however, was in prime position to bang in the rebound at 13:24 for his fourth goal of the season.    The 1-0 lead was short-lived as, just 38 seconds later, Hugh Jessiman swept down the left wing and cut behind the defense before tucking the puck through the five-hole of Doyle. 

Hartford took its first lead of the match on a power play goal in the second period by Artem Anisimov.  The Wolf Pack center was wound up for the one-timer on the right circle and uncorked Parenteau’s cross-zone feed inside the near post at 8:55. 

Doyle stopped 35-of-38 shots as his team’s winless streak stretched to five games (0-4-1-0).  The Devils went 2-for-5 on the man-advantage and 7-for-8 on the penalty kill. 

The Devils return home to finish the weekend on Sunday, November 25 with a tilt versus the Portland Pirates at 4:05 p.m.  Following the game, join the Devils for a post-game skate sponsored by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and a team autograph session.  On Friday, November 30, one lucky fan will win an automatic car starter courtesy of Meineke Care Care of Lowell as the Devils face the Springfield Falcons at 7:05 p.m.  Tickets start at just $10; call the Devils office at (978) 458-PUCK for more information or visit www.lowelldevilshockey.com .