ALBANY, NY - Jon Matsumoto's first period power play goal was trumped by three unanswered goals as the Albany River Rats came from behind to beat the Adirondack Phantoms 3-1 Saturday night at the Times Union Center.Round 3 of the Time Warner Cable Cup series began with a closely fought first period. There was not much between the two teams, but since Adirondack missed the net on several early scoring chances, they were out-shot by Albany 14-6. In the final minute of the frame Jon Matsumoto took a shot from the right circle that slid its way underneath the pads of River Rats goalie Justin Peters for his sixth goal of the season at 19:28. Matsumoto's strike was a power play goal, assisted by Patrick Maroon and Joonas Lehtivuori and gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.
Adirondack out-shot Albany in the second period 10-6, but it was the River Rats who found the net and tied the game at 1-1. During a four-on-four situation defenseman Bryan Rodney skated down the right wing and fired a wrist shot that snuck just below the glove of Phantoms goaltender Johan Backlund at 17:21, Rodney's first goal of the year.
With the score level going into the third period the River Rats jumped on their momentum and quickly grabbed their first lead of the night. After an icing call on Adirondack, Stefan Chaput won the face off back to Jay Harrison and the Rats defenseman threw a wrist shot from the blue line through the traffic in front and by a screened Backlund at 1:03. It was 3-1 Albany at 5:36 when Jerome Samson pushed in a rebound off a Drayson Bowman shot and just like that the Phantoms trailed by two. Adirondack's effort for a comeback was hindered by several minor penalties on the Phantoms in the final ten minutes. Adirondack pulled Backlund with just over one minute left, but could not find a way to get back in the game.
Justin Peters earned the win by stopping 28-of-29 shots as Albany improved to 7-6-0-1 on the year. Johan Backlund made 28 saves on 31 shots, but took the loss as Adirondack fell to 6-5-1-0 on the season. The River Rats out-shot the Phantoms 31-29 and went 0-for-6 on the power play; Adirondack was 1-for-5 on the man-advantage.
With their weekend schedule complete, Adirondack returns home to prepare for their next home game on Friday, November 13th against the Binghamton Senators at 7:30 pm at the Civic Center.
The Time Warner Cable Cup Four-Pack is now on sale at the Phantoms office, starting as low as $56. 2009-10 Phantoms full and partial season ticket packages are still available for the 2009-10 season presented by Bud Light. For more information please contact the Adirondack Phantoms at (518) 480-3355 or online at www.phantomshockey.com.
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