Giroux, Clackson Lead The Way In 2-1 Phantoms Win Over Bridgeport
October 10, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
PHILADELPHIA - A special day in Philadelphia sports history had a happy ending Friday, as the Philadelphia Phantoms topped the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 in the final Opening Night at the historic Wachovia Spectrum. Two of the nine rookies in the Phantoms lineup led the way, with Matt Clackson opening the scoring and Claude Giroux securing the eventual game-winner.
The Phantoms drew first blood at the 4:29 mark of the first period. Jeff Szwez flew down the left-side boards and centered the puck in front to a streaking Clackson, who beat Bridgeport goalie Yann Danis low to his glove side. Clackson's first as a pro gave the Phantoms an early 1-0 lead.
Fans had hardly settled back in their seats after the first intermission when the Phantoms put their second goal on the board. Forty-two seconds into the period and at the end of their second power play, Sean Curry launched a slapshot off a feed from Danny Syvret that deflected off the pad of Danis. Giroux then picked up where he left off from last seasons record setting Junior League point total when he picked up the rebound and deposited the puck past a sprawling Danis.
The Sound Tigers answered back just 18 seconds later when Trevor Smith forced a Phantoms turnover deep in their zone and wristed a shot high on Phantoms netminder Scott Munroe. Bridgeport center Mike Iggulden picked up the long rebound and beat Munroe to his glove side.
The two teams traded multiple shots throughout the second half of the contest, but both goaltenders turned away shot after shot. The Phantoms killed off a late penalty with less than three minutes left to preserve the 2-1 win.
Munroe saved 30 of the 31 shots he faced in earning the win, while Danis absorbed the loss despite turning away 28 of 30 shots. The two were second and third stars of the game, respectively. The Phantoms finished the night 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Sound Tigers ended the contest 0-for-5.
The night began with a ceremony to commemorate the beginning and the end of the 41-year-old building. The Phantoms brought back former Philadelphia Flyers captain Lou Angotti as well as former Pittsburgh Penguins captain Ab McDonald to take the ceremonial puck drop, re-enacting the first puck drop on October 19, 1967 when the Flyers hosted their first ever game at the Spectrum. Flyers legend Bernie Parent handled the duties of dropping the puck.
The Phantoms travel to Wilkes/Barre Scranton tomorrow night to face off against the Penguins at 7:05 p.m. The next home game at the Wachovia Spectrum is Friday night, October 17, when the rival Hershey Bears make their first visit to Philadelphia at 7:05.
Comcast-Spectacor recently announced that the Wachovia Spectrum will close after the Phantoms conclude their 2008-09 season. The Spectrum opened on September 30, 1967 with the Quaker City Jazz Festival. After nearly 30 seasons of Philadelphia Flyers hockey and Philadelphia 76ers basketball, the Spectrum gave way to the Wachovia Center in 1996.
The best way for fans to secure a ticket for the final game on April 12, 2009 is to purchase either a game plan package or season tickets. Packages are available now in convenient blocks of 6, 10, 16, 20 and 40 games. Receiving an impressive list of exclusive benefits, discount prices and the same seat for each game begins at just $60!
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American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2008
- Hogs Power Through First Win Of 2008-09 - Rockford IceHogs
- Chops down Rivermen to open the season - Peoria Rivermen
- Bulldogs Down Moose In Season Opener - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Giroux, Clackson Lead The Way In 2-1 Phantoms Win Over Bridgeport - Adirondack Phantoms
- Admirals Fall in Season Opener - Norfolk Admirals
- Crunch Roll Over Rochester in Season Opener - Syracuse Crunch
- Danis turns aside 29 shots but Philadelphia hands Sound Tigers first defeat of the season - Bridgeport Islanders
- Houston Aeros partner with Red Cross for Aeros Hero Night on Monday - Houston Aeros
- P-Bruins Release Classen - Providence Bruins
- Admirals, WisPolitics.com to Stage Presidential Straw Poll - Milwaukee Admirals
- Marlies To Air Games On FAN 590 - Toronto Marlies
- Worcester Sharks announce TV game schedule - Worcester Sharks
- Amerks Open 2008-09 Season Tonight Against Syracuse - Rochester Americans
- Bulldogs Open 2008-2009 Season Tonight - Hamilton Bulldogs
- www.moosehockey.com gets brand new look - Manitoba Moose
- Season 13 Begins Saturday in Cleveland - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Brandon Sugden Joins Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Rivermen and Arby's Team Up This Wednesday - Peoria Rivermen
- Marlies Loan Scott Langdon To Reading - Toronto Marlies
- Penguins, ACS team up to raise awareness in fight against breast cancer - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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