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Phantoms Weekly - 2nd Half Begins

January 23, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Adirondack Phantoms News Release


This Week's Games

Wednesday, January 23 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Connecticut Whale

Friday, January 25 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, January 26 (2:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils

Monday, January 28 (7:00) - AHL All-Star Classic at Providence

Last Week's Scores

Friday, January 18 - Albany Devils 4 - Adirondack Phantoms 3

Saturday, January 19 - Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Worcester Sharks 1

Sunday, January 20 - Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Albany Devils 2 (SO)

Top Scorers Goals Assists Points

Brayden Schenn 13 20 33

Sean Couturier 10 18 28

Jason Akeson 5 13 18

Tye McGinn 11 4 15

Danny Syvret 1 14 15

Goalies

W-L-OTL

GAA

SVS

Scott Munroe 9-9-0 2.56 .918

Cal Heeter 6-11-1 2.82 .911 Brian Boucher 1-0-0 1.00 .966

Upcoming

It's officially the second half of the season beginning this week as Adirondack travels to Connecticut on Wednesday and then takes on the Albany Devils in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.

This Friday's home game is Pink in the Rink Night presented by Glens Falls Hospital with proceeds from the special pink jerseys to be auctioned to benefit the C.R. Wood Cancer Center. Area breast cancer survivors will be on hand and honored throughout the game from the ceremonial puck drop to the presentation of the game-worn jerseys in the post-game auction live on the ice.

Other special groups on hand will include Craig MacDonald's Glens Falls Tae Kwon Do kids who will be demonstrating their board-breaking abilities during an intermission. Plus, the Tanglewood and Moreau Elementary Schools of the South Glens Falls School District will have a bunch of kids singing our national anthem.

If you are planning to come cheer for the Phantoms in Albany for our away game this Saturday please remember that the game-time down there is 2:00.

The Phantoms are midway through the 2012-13 regular season with a record of 17-19-2. That's 38 games down and 38 to go.

Adirondack is on a roll in their push up the standings having won two straight and four of their last six. After the games this weekend, all the teams will be off for the league All-Star Break. There are no practices during that time. The Phantoms will return for practice next Thursday to prepare for their first game back on Friday, February 1 against Norfolk.

Adirondack is completing a stretch of six games in nine days that began with last Friday's weekend opener against Albany. The Phantoms are playing the Devils four times within that nine-day stretch.

Erik Gustafsson - All-Star...Again!

Erik Gustafsson has been selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star squad for the second time in his three-year career. The defenseman from Kvissleby, Sweden represented the Phantoms two years ago at the 2011 AHL All-Star Class in Hershey and even won the puck-handling contest in the skills competition. This time he's heading to Providence for the 2013 All-Star Classic on Monday, January 28.

However, "Gus" has been out with injury since December 14. He's getting ready to try to return to games this weekend but if he is unable to participate in the All-Star Classic then he will be replaced by a different Phantoms player.

NHL Veterans Make Season Debuts

While most AHL teams were having several NHL talents called up over the past couple weeks, the Phantoms received a pair of established NHL veterans coming onto their roster. 36-year-old goalie Brian Boucher and 37-year-old defenseman Andreas Lilja are the newest Phantoms although both had played a single game with Adirondack in a previous season on conditioning stints.

Lilja won a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008 and is in his second year with the Philadelphia organization. The native Swede made his season debut Friday night and played in all three games.

Boucher has played for seven NHL teams and is with the Philadelphia organization for the fourth time in his career. He began his professional career with a Calder Cup championship with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2008. Boucher's season debut was a Saturday night victory at the Worcester Sharks featuring 28 saves on 29 shots including a huge stop on a John McCarthy breakaway with 2:23 remaining to preserve the 2-1 win.

Nailbiters!

The Phantoms have played 6 consecutive games decided by one goal and have gone 4-2-0 in that stretch. 3 of those 4 wins have come via overtime or shootout. Additionally, 12 of the Phantoms' last 14 games have been one-goal contests.

The Phantoms have played a total of 22 one-goal games this season and are 12-8-2 in those decisions.

Adirondack is especially solid in games past the 60-minute mark. The Phantoms are 2-1 in overtime games and are 4-1 in shootouts for a combined record of 6-2. That .750 winning percentage in post-regulation verdicts is best in the AHL. The closest teams to them in the OT/SO standings are Portland (5-2, .714) followed by Norfolk and Lake Erie (both are 7-3, .700).

Recent Transactions

January 16 - Tye McGinn (LW) - Returned on loan to Adirondack from Philadelphia (NHL)

January 17 - Tyler Hostetter (D) - Reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)

January 17 - Brian Boucher (G) - Loaned to Adirondack by Philadelphia (NHL)

January 17 - Andreas Lilja (D) - Loaned to Adirondack by Philadelphia (NHL)

January 21 - Tye McGinn (LW) - Recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)

Phantoms Week in Review

Friday, January 18 - Albany Devils 4 - Adirondack Phantoms 3

After a slow start, the Adirondack Phantoms turned on the jets in their comeback efforts in the third period but in the end would fall just short in a 4-3 loss to the Albany Devils in front of over 4,600 fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

The Phantoms outshot the Devils 21-4 in that dominating third period but only got one goal back. But the final 20 minutes would also be a tone-setter for the Phantoms that would carry over for the rest of the weekend.

Jason Akeson (4th), Marcel Noebels (2nd) and Tye McGinn (10th) scored the Phantoms' goals in the game. Cal Heeter made 31 saves in net for Adirondack. Joe Whitney led the way for Albany with a pair of goals and an assist. Matt Anderson also scored a goal.

The featured another loud and near-sellout crowd at the GFCC in the continuation of the Time Warner Cable Cup Rivalry.

Saturday, January 19 - Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Worcester Sharks 1

It may have been Brian Boucher's first game of the season, but you could hardly tell by looking at his performance on the ice. The veteran goalie looked every bit the experienced talent in a stellar 28-save performance that stole the show and secured a road victory for the Phantoms at the Worcester Sharks.

Boucher made one of his best stops late in the second period to preserve the 2-1 lead when he lunged to his left to glove a shot from back on the right-wing on a 3-on-1 rush for the Sharks.

Late in the game, Worcester's John McCarthy suddenly found himself in the clear after dekeing his way around a defenseman. Boucher kicked out his right leg to deny the breakaway try with just 2:23 to go in the game and subsequently clinch the win.

It was Boucher's first win the AHL since October 18, 2009 when he played a one-game conditioning stint with the Phantoms at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and won 4-2.

Cullen Eddy (1st) and Tye McGinn (11th) scored for the Phantoms.

Sunday, January 20 - Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Albany Devils 2 (SO)

The Phantoms made a long overnight bus ride from Worcester, Mass to Atlantic City for their Sunday evening game against the Devils and came away 3-2 winners in a shootout thriller.

The game in Atlantic City was a home game for the Albany Devils but it was mostly Phantoms and Flyers fans who filed into historic Boardwalk Hall to cheer for Adirondack.

Jason Akeson "accidentally" scored in the first period when he centering pass to McGinn was tipped by an Albany defenseman into the net.

Marcel Noebels scored with just over 7:31 remaining in the third to break a 1-1 tie but Albany bounced back to equalize on a Jay Leach goal with 2:21 to go to tie the score.

Cal Heeter made some of his best saves in the opening minute of overtime on some wild pressure by the Devils. Danny Syvret also kicked away a potential game-winner as well.

Harry Zolnierczyk almost decided matters just a couple minutes later with his breakaway rushing up the right-wing but was denied by Albany goalie Keith Kinkaid.

Syvret would score the shootout clincher for the third time this year in the fifth round after Jason Akeson and Tye McGinn would score earlier in the shootouts.

Saratoga Spine Phantoms Player of the Week - Tye McGinn

Tye McGinn is our Saratoga Spine Player of the Week.

McGinn returned to the Phantoms following a week at the Philadelphia Flyers NHL Training Camp and promptly scored goals in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. McGinn is second on the Phantoms this season in goals with 11 trailing only Brayden Schenn who had 13 in his time with Adirondack this year.

Following Sunday's game at Atlantic City, McGinn was informed he was heading back to the Philadelphia Flyers...this time for real! He went on to make his NHL debut on Tuesday night for Philadelphia at New Jersey. McGinn wore #15 and received just over 12 minutes of ice-time often being paired with fellow Phantoms product Brayden Schenn.

Tye's older brother is already an established NHL'er with the Colorado Avalanche. Jaime McGinn played for San Jose before that. And his youngest brother, Brock McGinn, was a second-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2012 and is on his way too.

Congrats, Tye!

Key Team Stats

The Phantoms are...

- 16-4-1 with tied or leading after two periods. (7-1-0 if leading. 9-3-1 if tied)

- 6-1-0 when leading after one period.

- 14-7-1 when they score at least one power play goal. They have a streak of 3 straight games scoring a PPG.

- 12-2-1 when they score 3 or more goals

- 13-8-2 on all "non-Fridays."

- 2-1 in overtimes and are 4-1 in shootouts for a combined 6-2 in games decided after regulation. Three of the post-regulation wins have come against SYR. .750 win percentage in OT/SO best in AHL.

- 8 of the Phantoms wins have come when they have held the opponents to 0 or 1 goals.

Upcoming Opponents

Connecticut Whale, 13-17-2 (New York Rangers)

This is Game 3 of the 6-game season series between the Northeast Division rivals and affiliates of NHL rivals Flyers and Rangers. Adirondack lost at Connecticut 3-0 on January 4 and then bounced back for an exciting 2-1 overtime victory the next night in front of a raucous crowd in Glens Falls.

Record - 17-20-2

Division - 5th place (Northeast Division)

Home Arena - XL Center

Head Coach - Ken Gernander

Head Coach Ken Gernander - Has lead the Whale (formerly Hartford Wolf Pack) since 2007. Eight seasons as Hartford captain and retired as Hartford's all-time leading point-scorer (160-187-347) but has since been surpassed by Brad Smyth. Holds franchise record for games played (599). Two-time winner of AHL Fred T. Hunt Award (sportsmanship, dedication) in 1996 with Binghamton and 2004 with Hartford.

J.T. Miller, 7-9-16 - Led Team USA to 2013 Gold Medal at World Juniors with seven assists and nine points. 15th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Scored 25-37-62 in 2011-12 with Plymoputh Whalers (OHL)

Kris Newbury, 15-20-35 - Tops in points for the Whale. Played for St. John's Maple Leafs and then Toronto Marlines from 200304 through 2008-09. Career highs 44 assists and 61 points in 2010-11 with CT. 66 NHL games with Toronto, Detroit and New York Rangers and 4 goals.

Chad Kolarik, 16-18-34. Leads Whale in goals. University of Michigan product in AHL since 2007-08 with San Antonio Rampage. Joined CT in 2010-11 but missed 2011-12 with ACL injury in left knee.

Ryan Bourque, 5-6-11. Son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque and younger brother of Chris Bourque of Providence. Second-year pro was Rangers' third round selection in 2009.

Cameron Talbot, 13-17-1, 2.69, .915. Third year pro out of University of Alabama-Huntsville. Played for Chargers from 2007-08 through 2009-10. Phantoms' goalie Scott Munroe suited up for UAH 2002-03 through 2005-06.

The Albany Devils, 15-13-9 (New Jersey Devils)

Albany Devils lead the Time Warner Cable Cup series 4 games to 2. This weekend will be games 7 and 8 out of 12. The Phantoms are the defending Time Warner Cable Cup champs winning the Northway rivalry last year 7 games to 3.

Adirondack and Albany are playing each other 4 times in a 9-day stretch ending with this Saturday afternoon's game in Albany.

Record - 15-13-9 Division - Northeast (Fourth)

Head Coach - Rick Kowalsky (Third)

Home Arena - Times Union Center

Bobby Butler, (15-8-23) - Played for Ottawa Senators last year scoring 6-10-16 in 56 NHL games. With Binghamton Senators in 2010-11 had 22-11-33 in just 47 games and then scored 10 more goals with Ottawa after call-up. Former teammates at Univ. New Hampshire with Blake Kessel.

Matt Anderson, (6-13-19) West Islip, NY native. AHL veteran in 6th season in league. First 3 years with Chicago Wolves and now 3rd year with Albany Devils. Led Albany in scoring in 2010-11 with 55 points.

Joe Whitney, (8-12-20). Scored two goals last Friday night at Adirondack. Second-year pro had 15 goals 11-12.

Tim Sestito, (5-9-14). Rome, NY native is older brother of Philadelphia Flyers (and former Phantom) Tom Sestito. AHL'er since 2004-05 with Bridgeport. Played 54 games for NJ past two seasons.

Union College product Keith Kinkaid (12-8-4, 2.43, .915) has taken the reigns in goal for 22 of the team's 34 games winning the #1 spot over Jeff Frazee.

UPCOMING

Wednesday, January 23 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Connecticut Whale

Friday, January 25 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms. Pink in the Rink Night presented by Glens Falls Hospital with jersey-auction proceeds to benefit C.R. Wood Cancer Center.

Saturday, January 26 (2:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils

Monday, January 28 (7:00) - AHL All-Star Game at Providence. Televised nationwide. In Glens Falls can be seen on Time Warner Cable Sports (Channel 50 and HD-1803)

Thursday, January 31 - Players return. End of AHL All-Star Break

Friday, February 1 (7:00) - Norfolk Admirals at Adirondack Phantoms

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