The Albany Devils picked up their first win of the season yesterday in fine fashion, shutting out the Worcester Sharks. Here are some notes on the game as well as some Devils prospects that were in action last night.
- Keith Kinkaid picked up a 30-save shutout. He's 1-1-0 on the year with a .965 save percentage and 1.01 goals against average. I know it's early and Albany wants to give Jeff Frazee an opportunity to start some games to see if he's worth keeping around, but Kinkaid is going to run away with this starter's role position. Obviously his numbers are a little inflated having only played two games, but I do expect a big year from him.
- Jacob Josefson picked up two goals, including one shorthanded, and took some big hits last night. He's showing that he can produce when given opportunities, which is good for the Devils management to see. He's stuck behind Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac up the middle in the NHL, but a third-line center role with some 2nd line poweplay ice could really benefit him. He's a good passer and sees the ice really well so he could really help the powerplay, too. Will be something interesting to watch when this lockout ends.
- Adam Henrique scored to pick up his first AHL point of the season. It was only a matter of time and I expect many more if this lockout continues.
- Bobby Butler picked up his first point as a member of the Devils franchise picking up a primary assist on Harri Pesonen's 1st goal in Albany. Butler has a lot of talent and is capable of producing at the NHL level, he just needs to find a way to be much more consistent.
- Speaking of Pesonen, he scored and registered an assist last night for his first two points in Albany. Lou Lamoriello said he would play in Albany this year, but if he keeps producing he's going to get a good look in the Devils pro camp whenever it opens up. They need some offensive punch on the wing and right now he may be a guy who can give it.
- Adam Larsson had two assists, one of which was a powerplay assist, and a plus-1 rating last night. I expect he'll have more nights like that as he continues to adjust to playing in the AHL.
- Scott Wedgewood had his first poor outing as a professional goaltender last night. He allowed six goals and stopped only 29-of-35 in the loss.
- Niko Hovinen, the other goalie in Trenton, is day-to-day with a deep bruise near his left clavicle. Wedgewood will be the undisputed starter until he returns. When the Flyers prospect returns, I expect the two to share time once again.
- Alexander Kerfoot was held completely off the scoresheet last night in a 2-1 Coquitlam loss to Prince George. He has been having success in the BCHL this season, though, posting 15 points in 11 games.
- Ben Johnson was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 Windsor win over Erie. From what I've heard he's been good more often than not this year, but he's just struggling to produce right now. He has only five points in 13 games.
- Ben Thomson had two assists for Kitchener in a 5-3 win over Reid Boucher's Sarnia Sting. The Rangers have gotten back on track over the last few games, and Thomson's individual success has increased because of that. He's now on a three-game point streak.
- Reid Boucher scored but was minus-2 for the Sting. That was his first point in five games after a hot start. Boucher is a streaky player offensively as I've noted several times, so this could be the start of a good run.
- Damon Severson had an assist and was plus-2 in a 4-2 Kelowna win over Brandon. Severson now has seven points in 11 games. Pretty good for a defenseman.
- Graham Black had an assist and was plus-1 in a 2-1 Swift Current loss last night. Black has been as consistent as consistent can be this season, recording at least one point in 10 of 12 games this season.
- Sticking with Swift Current, Reece Scarlett was held off the scoresheet in the loss.
- Stefan Matteau had a checking the head penalty and a checking from behind penalty plus misconduct. I didn't see the game but I was told to watch out for a suspension here because another one might be coming to him.
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