NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



2 Goals for Alderson, GFCC Point-Streak at 5

April 13, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


In the stretch of last ever games for the Adirondack Phantoms, the team is finishing with a bang and providing some fun and memorable moments for the team's loyal fans. Brandon Alderson scored both Adirondack goals in a come-from-behind win over the Utica Comets as the Phantoms extended their home-ice point-streak to five and their home winning streak to three. The 2-1 victory on Sunday evening now gives the Phantoms a record of 3-0-2 in their last five home games with only one more home tilt to go.

The Adirondack Phantoms will play at the Glens Falls Civic Center for the final time on Friday night against Bridgeport in what is sure to be a bittersweet and emotional evening to conclude the 25th season of the AHL in Glens Falls.

Alderson buried two blasts from the slot and rookie goalie Carsen Chubak earned his third win of the season with a 24-save effort as the Phantoms put a big hurt on Utica's late-season playoff aspirations. Adirondack finished a perfect season-sweep of the Comets going 4-0-0 against the Vancouver affiliates with three of the wins coming in exciting one-goal nailbiters.

Playing without Jason Akeson (called up to Philadelphia) and Brandon Manning (injury from Friday's game) as well as the various other participants on the team's long injury-list, the Phantoms pushed forth with a high-energy effort from a somewhat make-shift lineup mostly outplaying the visitors, especially in the first and second periods. In fact, Utica goalie Joacim Ericksson needed a spectacular effort in net just to keep the Comets in the game. Adirondack was denied on several close-range chances on some remarkable saves from the Utica rookie goalie.

But Carsen Chubak was good too. With his best stop perhaps coming with just 35 seconds remaining from the middle of the crease when he preserved the lead by guarding the line and stopping the point-blank tries from the desperate and inspired Utica skaters. Chubak earned starts in consecutive seasons for the first time this season and earned his second win in a row, albeit without the franchise-record 50 saves he recorded last Sunday against Albany.

"Everybody had incredible energy," Phantoms head coach Terry Murray said. "I thought our game was outstanding here tonight. Short a lot of players. Guys dug in extra deep and really competed and battled hard. I thought the players that were getting the opportunity to play because of lineup changes really responded very well. (Mike) Matczak made two big plays on both goals. There were some very positive things coming out of this game to take into tomorrow."

Pascal Pelletier opened the scoring on a power play about 11 minutes into the game. His one-timer from the right-circle into the top of the net was good for his team-leading 20th of the year and for a 1-0 lead for the Comets.

But Adirondack actually had the better of the play in the opening frame. Ericksson robbed Kyle Flanagan on a back-door one-timer and came up with a somewhat miraculous save off a Nick Cousins shot. the drive that Ericksson deflected off his stick would bound over his shoulder and appeared headed for the goal but Ericksson slid backwards and while falling part of the way into the net was able to grab the puck in the air with his glove while holding it in front of his body so as not to carry the puck into the goal with him.

The Phantoms carried the momentum into the second period and started to produce the results. Continuing a cycle around the Utica zone with Nick Cousins hanging onto the puck strongly would set up Mike Matczak at the left-point whose entry into the slot would be blocked down by Alderson. But the rookie winger was able to locate the puck at his feet, then spin and shoot over the right-shoulder on the glove-side of Ericksson for the game-tying tally.

Alderson would score the winning goal from the slot as well, once again benefiting from some good work by his teammates moving the puck around the zone along the boards. Matczak found Cousins who connected with Derek Whitmore driving in from the left corner but going wide behind the goal. Going behind the net just to the other side, Whitmore found the opening to connect with Alderson who gave all he had into his close-range one-timer for the game-winning goal with just 7:24 remaining.

"I think I'm playing with a lot more confidence and it's showing in my game," Alderson said. "I think the puck's just coming to me where it hasn't before and I'm getting bounces. And it's nice for it to finally come."

The whole line actually which includes Alderson teamed with fellow rookie Nick Cousins and veteran Derek Whitmore has been a strong combination for the Phantoms for the past several weeks. "Me and Nick played together for the past three years (including juniors)," Alderson said. "And adding Whitmore, you know he's a veteran guy. He's always talking and he was REALLY loud today. It kind of cracks both of us up. But it's nice to have that. We're building chemistry and it's clicking."

The Phantoms out-shot Utica 33-25. Adirondack was 0-for-4 on the power play while Utica went 1-for-3.

The Phantoms have a busy stretch of five games in seven days to conclude the 2013-14 season. What was already going to be a hectic pace to the finish-line became even more congested when Saturday night's game at Bridgeport was postponed and then moved to a Monday make-up date.

Adirondack has four games remaining including three away games. The Phantoms are at Bridgeport on Monday and Syracuse on Wednesday. Then it's the big home finale on Friday night with the fans' last ever chance to cheer for the Adirondack Phantoms and the team's last chance to thank their loyal supporters. Call the Phantoms for tickets in advance to save: 518-480-3355.

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Adirondack Phantoms Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central