17,585 in Philly for Adirondack Phantoms Game

Published on February 23, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The third-largest crowd in the American Hockey League this season mostly filled up the seats all the way to the highest rows at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday night to cheer for the AHL affiliate of their beloved Flyers. But the host Adirondack Phantoms could not hold a third-period lead as the visiting Bridgeport Sound Tigers rallied for a 3-2 win in front of 17,585 fans.

Carsen Chubak earned just his second start of the season for the Phantoms and the rookie goalie out of Niagara University thrived in the major-league setting despite taking the loss. Chubak made a number of fine saves on Bridgeport drives in his first start since his scintillating 38-save triumph on December 28 against the Providence Bruins.

It was also a big day for defenseman Mike Matczak who returned to his home area to play in the large setting for the first time in his career. The Sewell, NJ native grew up just minutes away from the Philadelphia arena and attended numerous Flyers games growing up. He was joined by several relatives and friends at the game cheering on #39.

Nick Cousins and Chris VandeVelde scored the goals for the Phantoms. But a shorthanded goal would turn out to be the team's downfall for the second game in a row. And Adirondack's power play, while generating chances, were not able to produce enough. They had the opportunities but finished the contest 1-for-10. It was the most power-play chances the Phantoms have had in a single game this season. Their previous high of nine came in a game against Brigeport as well back on November 10 when an 0-for-9 night had cost Adirondack in another 3-2 final.

The game got off to a roaring start with Brandon Manning dropping the gloves with Anders Lee just 32 seconds in. That fired up his team AND the large crowd and got everyone going. But that skirmish was only one out of three in just the opening period for the third-year pro defenseman. Manning also had a roughing penalty from another grapple in the corner with Ryan Strome. And at the end of the period squared off with Brett Gallant who went over the line in a couple of different ways eventually receiving a game misconduct for his antics. Out of those early sparks, things settled down for much of the rest of the night.

Chris VandeVelde had just given Adirondack the lead early in the third period with his 5-on-3 backdoor slam. But the Phantoms' 2-1 advantage would last only 22 seconds as the Sound Tigers would storm back on their own 2-on-1 with Chris Langkow converting on the shorthanded goal from Scooter Vaughn to even the game again.

A 3-on-2 rush into the Phantoms zone would result in the winning goal 11:39 remaining with an Aaron Ness drive from the slot banking off the right leg of Chubak and then off the post and into the net on the almost-save.

The Phantoms, and specifically Tye McGinn, were robbed a couple of times by Bridgeport goalie Anders Nilsson down the stretch. McGinn made a nice move to the backhand on a feed into the slot by Akeson with about five minutes left but his good look glanced off the edge of Nilsson's trapper and out.

Down the the final minute, McGinn again had a chance but a sliding stop by Nilsson moving to his left would this time deny McGinn off the pads.

Chris VandeVelde had a chance for his second goal of the game on another push into the zone in the third period. While Akeson was tangled in the crease with the goalie Nilsson, the officials allowed play to continue even though Nilsson was down and struggling to get to his feet. VandeVelde had a good look from the left circle and almost the entire upper-half of the cage was open while Nilsson was down but VandeVelde missed the opportunity high.

Johan Sundstrom for Bridgeport had opened the scoring for the Sound Tigers with his low-slot drive sneaking through five-hole on Chubak at 11:13 into the game giving Bridgeport a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.

The Phantoms opened the second period with four minutes worth of their power plays but were unable to convert. Shortly after getting back to 5-on-5 for the first time in awhile in the whistle-prone game, Nick Cousins accepted a nice pass by Brandon Alderson and then put on a nice stutter move in the right circle around a defenseman to set up his first goal in a couple months. The promising 20-year-old talent who was a third-round pick of the Flyers in 2011 had tied the game at 1-1 by taking the shot himself knowing that Marcel Noebels was crashing up the middle for any rebound opportunities that may have come.

Ben Holmstrom and Tye McGinn returned to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension on Friday. Still missing due to suspension were Zack FitzGerald, Kris Newbury and Cal Heeter.

The Sound Tigers with the win remain as one of the hottest teams in the AHL. Bridgeport has won five straight and 10 of their last 12. Bridgeport out-shot Adirondack 29-28. The Phantoms were 1/10 on the power play while Bridgeport was held to 0/6.

The Phantoms return to action next weekend with three games in three days. Adirondack is on the road on Friday and Saturday at the Utica Comets and Syracuse Crunch. Adirondack's next home game is Sunday, March 2 at 5:00 against Syracuse on another Sunday Family FunDay. Purchase your Sunday Family FunDay Package for only $43 to receive 3 tickets, 3 hot dogs, 3 soda, 1 large popcorn and 1 program. Bring your skates to the game on Sunday to join all the Phantoms player for a Postgame Open Skate. Call the Phantoms for information at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2014


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