Saturday, December 23 2006

 

Devils Sink Sharks with 2-1 Shootout Win

Stephen Gionta scores lone goal in shootout

Worcester, MA – The Lowell Devils (16-13-2-1) recovered from a late Worcester goal to edge the Sharks 2-1 in the shootout Saturday night at the DCU Center. Stephen Gionta scored the only goal and Frank Doyle was perfect in the shootout to lead the Devils to victory.

Though neither team lit the lamp in the first period, they were not without chances. Worcester controlled much of the early part of the period, but it was the Devils who came closest to scoring. An apparent goal by Gionta midway through the first frame was waived off as the net had come off its moorings. The Devils led 10-8 in shots after twenty minutes.

Grant Marshall broke the scoreless tie at 5:54 of the second period when he capitalized off a Sharks turnover at the Devils blue line and scored on a breakaway. The goal, Marshall’s third of the season, was unassisted. Worcester peppered Doyle with 14 shots in the period, and had two goals disallowed – one that bounced in off an official’s skate, and one as a result of a goaltender interference call.

The Devils lead held until 14:57 in the third period when Justin Kurtz blasted a shot that found its way through Doyle’s pads and into the net. Kurtz’ second goal of the season came after a sustained rally by the Sharks and eventually sent the game into overtime.

Neither team would score in the extra frame and the scoring drought continued into the shootout. Both Doyle and Nolan Schaefer were perfect until Gionta’s tally in the fifth round sealed the victory for Lowell, who now trail second place Manchester by only two points. The win improved the Devils to 2-1 in the shootout and 3-1 against the Sharks this season.

The Devils will return home on Wednesday, December 27th to host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m.  for team action poster night.  The first 2,500 fans will get a free poster, courtesy of Trinity Emergency Medical Service. 

All Devils games, home and away, can be heard on WCAP 980AM with the Voice of the Devils, Ryan Johnston, or online through B2 Networks on www.lowelldevilshockey.com.  For more information or to reserve your seats for this game, call the Devils office at (978) 458-PUCK.

- devils -