Sunday, April 6, 2008

 

Devils Fended Off By Wolf Pack, 3-2
Lowell’s home finale on Wednesday versus Portland

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Lowell Devils tried to rally back from a three-goal deficit, but ultimately succumbed to the Hartford Wolf Pack, 3-2, on Sunday at the XL Center.

Down 3-0 with 12:32 left in regulation, the Devils got on the board on Brad Mills’ first AHL goal.  Defenseman Zach Tarkir – recalled from Trenton (ECHL) today – threw a shot from the blueline toward Hartford goalie Dave LeNeveu that Mills was able to deflect past the sliding the netminder. 

Mills then helped Lowell cut the Wolf Pack’s lead to one just over four minutes later when he fed Petr Vrana along the right boards to start a 2-on-1 that Ivan Khomutov completed for his 12th goal of the season. 

Having played the majority of the game without a power play opportunity, Lowell would get its first and only opportunity with 1:46 left for a chance to force overtime.  Despite almost spending the duration of the man-advantage in the Hartford zone, the Devils would be unable to notch the game-tying goal before the final buzzer sounded. 

Lowell allowed Hartford to draw first blood at 3:30 of the opening period, when Doyle got a piece of a shot redirected in front by Cory Potter.  As the rebound lay loose in the crease, Hugh Jessiman crashed in and swatted the puck into the net.  Despite being outshot 22-4 in period, the Devils would be able to skate into the locker room trailing only 1-0. 

Hartford lit the lamp again early in the second frame with their help of their power play.  Lauri Korpikoski and Dane Byers worked a give-and-go between the circles that Korpikoski slammed home at 1:45 for a 2-0 Wolf Pack lead.  
 
At 8:55 of the third, Jessiman registered his second goal of the game and provided the game-winner when he pulled out of the left corner with the puck and was able to knock in the rebound from his initial stuff shot.

Frank Doyle stopped 33-for-36 for the Devils in the match.  Lowell went 0-for-1 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. 
 
Lowell wraps up its regular season home schedule next Wednesday, April 9 as the Portland Pirates come to town at 7:05 p.m.  It’s Dollar Dawg night as all hot dogs will be just $1 for fans in attendance.  Tickets start at just $10; call the Lowell Devils at (978) 458-PUCK for more information or go online to www.lowelldevilshockey.com. Tune into 980AM-WCAP to hear Ryan Johnston bring you all of the play-by-play action.