Stephen Gionta wasted no time making a first impression.
Signed to an amateur tryout contract on Wednesday following his senior season at Boston College, Gionta scored three goals and assisted on Ahren Nittel‘s game-winner as Albany snapped a 13-game winless streak with a 5-3 victory in Springfield on Thursday night.
Gionta, 22, ranked third in team scoring with 32 points in 39 games at BC in 2005-06, helping the Eagles reach the NCAA championship game.
He is the younger brother of former River Rat Brian Gionta, who has scored 45 goals for the New Jersey Devils this season.
Aaron Voros also scored and Nicklas Bergfors picked up four assists for Albany, while Frank Doyle stopped 34 shots for the victory.
Nittel broke a 3-3 tie with a power-play goal with five minutes remaining in regulation.
Jason Jaspers picked up a goal and two assists for the Falcons.
