Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves in his pro playoff debut, backstopping Albany to a 3-0 win over Toronto in Game 1 of their North Division semifinal series at the Times Union Center on Thursday night.
Game 2 is set for Saturday (5 p.m. ET).
It was the second consecutive shutout for the rookie Blackwood, who blanked Rochester in the Devils’ regular-season finale on Saturday night.
Ben Thomson opened the scoring for Albany in the first period, John Quenneville added a power-play goal in the second and Brian Gibbons capped the scoring with an empty-netter in the game’s final minute.
Garret Sparks made 20 saves for the Marlies, who had been shut out just once during the entire regular season (Mar. 5 vs. St. John’s).
North Division Semifinals – Series “D” (best-of-5)
N2-Toronto Marlies vs. N3-Albany Devils
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 20 – ALBANY 3, Toronto 0
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 22 – Toronto at Albany, 5:00
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 26 – Albany at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 28 – Albany at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 29 – Albany at Toronto, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
John Quenneville wrists one past Sparks to double the @AlbanyDevils‘ lead. #TORvsALB pic.twitter.com/NkXPpqhEkO
— AHL (@TheAHL) April 21, 2017
