Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Devils Held Off by Wolf Pack, 2-1
Rematch on Sunday at Tsongas Arena

LOWELL, Mass - A late power play goal by Ivan Baranka lifted the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 2-1 win over the Lowell Devils on Wednesday night at the Tsgonas Arena. 

Trailing 1-0 in the third period, Barry Tallackson tied the score when he started a rush that began with him intercepting a pass at his own blueline.  Tallackson then took the puck the length of the ice and kept it himself on a 2-on-1 with Mike Pandolfo, beating Miika Wiikman high to the glove side at 5:20 for his 19th goal of the season. 

With time dwindling down in the contest, the Wolf Pack received a man-advantage that would help them seal the victory.   Though Greg Moore fanned on a shot from in close, a pinching Baranka was in perfect position to bang the loose puck over the shoulder of Frank Doyle with 2:13 remaining. 

Skating with the extra attacker, Tallackson had a golden opportunity to tie the score when he found some daylight on the near post, but Wiikman flashed his right leg pad to deny the Devils’ late-game heroics.  Wiikman, who came into the game at the start of the second period in relief of an injured Al Montoya, finished with 18 saves. 

Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau gave the Wolf Pack a 1-0 lead with 46.1 seconds until the first intermission, as he stole the puck on the near boards before deking around Doyle and tucking a backhand shot into the net.

Doyle made 24 stops in the contest, while Lowell went 0-for-3 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The Devils hit the road for two games as they face the Worcester Sharks on Friday, February 22 at 7:05 p.m. and the Albany River Rats on Saturday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m.  Tune into 980AM WCAP to hear Ryan Johnston bring you all of the Devils action live.  Lowell then returns home on Sunday, February 24 to battle Hartford once again at 4:05 p.m. Help us celebrate Aubuchon Hardware’s 100th birthday as one lucky fan will win an electric fireplace.  Tickets start at just $10; call the Devils office at (978) 458-PUCK for more information or visit www.lowelldevilshockey.com.

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