Adirondack Finishes 1-0-2 Week and currently on a Six-Game Point Streak

Published on January 10, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Phantoms Player Movement

This past week, the Adirondack Phantoms goaltending drastically changed as the Philadelphia Flyers assigned goaltender Michael Leighton to the AHL affiliate while goaltenders Nic Riopel and Brian Stewart were loaned to Greenville and Bakersfield of the ECHL.

This will be Leighton's second stint with the Phantoms this season. Leighton played in four games with Adirondack on an NHL conditioning stint from Dec.4-11 recording a 1-3-0 record with a 2.78 GAA and .906 save percentage. He recorded his first win as an Adirondack Phantom and first in the AHL since 2007-08 in a 5-2 decision at the Syracuse Crunch on December 10. He appeared in Friday's 3-2 shootout loss in Abbotsford making 32 saves on 34 shots.

Riopel, the Beloeil, PQ native had been with the team since Nov.18 when he was recalled from Greenville (ECHL). He played in 11 games with the Phantoms going 3-7-1 with a 3.55 GAA and .874 save percentage. Riopel won three of his last five starts for Adirondack including his first career AHL shutout on Dec.28 against the Syracuse Crunch.

Stewart won four straight games for the Phantoms and won Reebok/AHL Player of the Week honors last week as he went 3-0-0 with a 1.34 goals against average and a .949 saves percentage with 93 stops on 98 shots faced. He ran his win streak to four with a Wednesday night shootout victory at the Albany Devils. Stewart was the first ever Adirondack Phantoms to win a weekly or monthly league award. Stewart signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent on Apr. 19, 2010, after four seasons at Northern Michigan University, where he went 18-11-7 as a senior last year.

Phantoms Partner with Double H Ranch

The Adirondack Phantoms and the Double H Ranch are teaming up on Saturday, January 22, 2011 to raise money for the Double H Ranch, an organization founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman providing year-round programming for children and families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

The night will feature a commemorative jersey worn by the Phantoms during the game versus the Hamilton Bulldogs, made possible by New York Long Term Care Brokers (NYLTCB), headquartered in Clifton Park, NY.

Show your support for the Double H Ranch by purchasing special group packages or by purchasing tickets on www.shopphantomshockey.com/tickets.html TMgEEG92TKjkDB7Me-xd1HuKmPPjdfgX1hOBrT8yghg5fJVcwADHaxJs0yNfLc4ESAC2OA==]. For each ticket sold within these special packages, five dollars will go directly to the Double H Ranch. Local businesses will have an opportunity to show their support for the Double H Ranch by taking advantage of these great fundraising opportunities.

Adirondack Phantoms Team Leaders

Games: Ben Holmstrom and Greg Moore (40)

Goals: Denis Hamel (12)

Assists: Erik Gustafsson (23)

Points: Erik Gustafsson (27)

Plus/Minus: Cullen Eddy (1)

Penalty Minutes: Zac Rinaldo (146)

Power Play Goals: Denis Hamel (8)

Short-handed Goals: Jonathon Kalinski (2)

Game-Winning Goals: Denis Hamel and Greg Moore (2)

Shots: Denis Hamel (103)

Saves: Johan Backlund (437)

Wins: Johan Backlund (3),* Nic Riopel & Brian Stewart (3)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.59)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.914)

*-No longer with team

2010-11 Record:

11-25-2-2, 26 points (Home 6-10-1-0, Road 5-15-1-2)

Week 14 Schedule

All games are broadcast LIVE on Classic Hits Q-101.7 FM by Adirondack Phantoms voice, Bob Rotruck, and can be heard free over the Internet at www.phantomshockey.com and can be viewed via internet pay-per-view video on www.ahllive.com 1522&ts=S0566&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ahllive.com%2F].

Dollar Hot Dog Night

Friday, January 14 - 7:30 p.m. - Glens Falls Civic Center - Glens Falls, NY

vs. Hershey Bears (22-13-1-1, 46 pts)

4th Place in Eastern Division, Eastern Conference

This will be the fifth of eight meetings between the Phantoms and Bears. Hershey currently leads the season series 3-1. The last time the Bears visited Glens Falls, the Phantoms defeated the two-time defending Calder Cup Champions 3-1 on two goals by Denis Hamel and Shane Harper's first of the year. Since defeating Hershey on December 17, Adirondack has turned their season around going 7-2-2 and moving within 5 points of the 7th place Albany Devils. For the Bears, Andrew Gordon leads the team in goals (18) and total points (36) while also spending time with the Washington Capitals where he has registered a goal and an assist in 8 games. Goaltender Braden Holtby is 10-4-1-0, which includes a 3-0-0-0 record against the Phantoms this season with a 1.80 GAA and .935 save percentage. Hershey is 16-0-0-0 when leading after 2 periods but when trailing after 2, they are 2-10-1-1. The Bears are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 but are currently on a 3-game point streak.

Phlex's Retirement Party/ Youth Backpacks to the First 1,000 Kids (Age 14 and Under) Courtesy of UniFirst

Saturday, January 15 - 7:00 p.m. - Glens Falls Civic Center - Glens Falls, NY

vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (30-8-0-0, 60 pts)

1st Place in Eastern Division, Eastern Conference

This will be the fourth of eight meetings between the Phantoms and Penguins & will mark the second time Wilkes-Barre has made the trip up to Glens Falls. They currently lead the season series 3-0 outscoring the Phantoms 9-4 in the three games. Before meeting up in Adirondack on Saturday night, the Penguins will play last place Providence who the Phantoms will not see this season on Friday night. Eric Tangradi leads the Baby Pens with 16 goals in 32 games while Dustin Jeffrey has 22 assists and 37 points in 35 games. Goaltenders John Curry (2-0 against the Phantoms this season with a .940 save percentage) and Brad Thiessen (1-0 against the Phantoms this season with a .944 save percentage) have split the time in net for the division leading Penguins. Wilkes-Barre is as tough on the road as they are on home-ice posting a 13-3-0-0 record. They are 1st in the league in goals against (86) and are 2nd in the AHL allowing around 26 shots per game.

Third Game in Three Days concludes in Syracuse

Sunday, January 16 - 4:00 p.m. - War Memorial at Oncenter - Syracuse, NY

@ Syracuse Crunch (14-20-1-3, 32 pts)

6th Place in Eastern Division, Eastern Conference

This will be the fourth of eight meetings between the Phantoms and Crunch this season. Adirondack currently leads the season series 3-0 and this will mark the third time the Phantoms have traveled to Western New York. Adirondack has outscored Syracuse 10-4 in the three games (3-2, 5-2 and 2-0 victories). This past week, the Crunch traded leading goal-scorer Trevor Smith to the Falcons for defenseman Nate Guenin to try to repair their defensive problems. Ex-Phantoms Patrick Maroon and David Laliberte may miss the game due to injuries. Maroon has 10 points (3goals, 7 assists) in 17 games while Laliberte has 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 9 games since the trade occurred back on November 21 for defenseman Danny Syvret and forward Rob Bordson. Goaltender J.P. Levasseur is 0-3-0 against the Phantoms this season with a 3.06 GAA and .896 save percentage while teammate Timo Pielmeier is 9-11-1 with a 3.46 GAA but has yet to play in net against Adirondack. The Crunch are 5-5 in their last ten and are on a 2-game losing streak going into the week. They play in Hamilton on Friday and home against the Rochester Americans on Saturday.

Week 13 Game Results

January 5, 2011 - Adirondack 3 @ Albany 2 (SO)

Stephen Gionta gave the Devils a 1-0 and 2-1 lead but Michael Ryan answered with his own pair of goals, his sixth and seventh of the year to tie the score at 2-2. Brian Stewart, the reigning AHL/Reebok Player of the Week made 26 saves in regulation and then four of the seven shooters in the shootout to help Adirondack extend their win streak to four games. Michael Ryan also scored in the shootout while Eric Wellwood, Ben Holmstrom and Jon Kalinski beat Devils goaltender Jeff Frazee after being down 3-1 in the shootout to lead the Phantoms to victory. Adirondack went 0-for-3 on the power play while Albany was held scoreless on all four of their man advantages.

January 7, 2011 - Adirondack 2 @ Abbotsford 3 (SO)

Lance Bouma and Cam Cunning scored for Abbotsford to give them a 2-0 lead with 8 minutes remaining in the third but Jonathon Kalinski cut the deficit to one when he scored the Phantoms fifth shorthanded goal of the season with 3:54 to go. Then, Michael Ryan extended his goal-scoring streak to four when he beat Abbotsford goaltender Leland Irving short side with 23.4 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 2-2. It was Ryan's eighth goal of the year assisted by Jon Kalinski and Kevin Marshall. The Phantoms had opportunities to score in overtime but Irving stood tall. Adirondack would go to the shootout for the fourth time in five games where Matt Keith, Mitch Wahl and Jon Rheault all beat Phantoms goaltender Michael Leighton who was stellar in his first start since being sent to the team from the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the week. Moore scored the lone goal in the shootout for the Phantoms but Adirondack did extend their point streak to five in the loss. Leighton finished with 32 saves while counterpart Leland Irving stopped 19 to earn his 16th win of the year.

January 8, 2011 - Adirondack 2 @ Adirondack 3 (SO)

Adirondack got out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Michael Ryan (9th) on the power play and Mike Testwuide (2nd). Leland Irving was pulled after making 9 saves on 11 shots in favor of recent ECHL call up Mitch Lamoureux who finished with 12 saves after the Phantoms took the two-goal lead. The Heat would take the momentum midway through the second period as they began to play more physical and initiated three fights to spur their comeback. Ryan Stone would score his second goal of the year with 4:45 remaining in the period and then Heat leading scorer Matt Keith beat Phantoms goaltender Johan. Backlund 1:15 into the third period to tie the score at 2-2. Backlund returned to the net for his first time since November 28 and was strong. He finished with 29 saves and stopped four of five shooters in the shootout but Adirondack was unable to beat Lamoureux. The Phantoms fell to 3-2 in the shootout on the year as Matt Keith had the game-winner. Adirondack went 1-for-4 on the power play while Abbotsford went 0-for-4.

Phantoms Quick Hits

-Adirondack is currently on a six game point streak (4-0-2) and are 7-2-2 in their last 11 games.

-This past week, the Phantoms played all 3-2 games with the extra point being decided in the shootout.

-Michael Ryan is on a five game goal-scoring streak (6 goals, 0 assists)

-Jonathon Kalinski scored the Phantoms fifth shorthanded goal of the season on Friday night in Abbotsford.

-Marc-Andre Bourdon remains day-to-day after leaving the game back on New Year's Day as well as Denis Hamel who is day-to-day after missing the week after hitting the boards awkwardly in Rochester last Sunday.

Phantoms Reebok/AHL Player of the Week (Week 13):

#14 - Michael Ryan- FW - 3 GP (4 goals, 0 assists)

The Boston, MA native is currently on a five-game goal-scoring streak. Ryan twice tied the score in Wednesday night's 3-2 victory at Albany and then registered the game-tying goal with 23.4 seconds remaining in Friday's game at Abbotsford to help extend Adirondack's point streak. Since signing with the Phantoms on November 23, Ryan has registered nine goals and two assists in 15 games. He has spent time in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres over his career scoring 7 goals and 8 assists in 83 games.

Adirondack Phantoms Recent Transactions...

Jan 4 - Nic Riopel (G) Loaned to Greenville (ECHL)

Jan 4 - Michael Leighton (G) Assigned to Adirondack (AHL)

Jan 6 - Danny Syvret (D) Recalled by Philadelphia (NHL)

Jan 6 - Brian Stewart (G) Loaned to Bakersfield (ECHL)

Jan 8 - Danny Syvret (D) Loaned to Adirondack (AHL)

Phantoms Practice Schedule this Week

Tuesday, January 11: Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, January 12: Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 13: Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Friday, January 14: Pre-Game at 10:00 a.m. / Game @ 7:30 p.m. vs. Hershey Bears

Saturday, January 15: Pre-Game at 10:00 a.m. / Game @ 7:00 p.m. vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Sunday, January 16: Bus to Syracuse at 11:00 a.m. / Game @ 4:00 p.m. at Syracuse / Bus back following game

Monday, January 17: Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Games:

Friday, January 14, 7:30pm - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, January 15, 7:00pm - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms

Sunday, January 16, 4:00pm - Adirondack Phantoms at Syracuse Crunch

Friday, January 21 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Adirondack Phantoms (at Philadelphia)

Upcoming Promotions:

Friday, January 14 - $1 Hot Dogs

Saturday, January 15 - Phlex's Retirement Party as well as UniFirst Youth Backpacks Giveaway to the first 1,000 Kids (Age 14 and Younger).

Don't be left out! Tickets for all Phantoms games are on sale now. Discount rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Save off the individual ticket price by asking the Phantoms about their great group rate packages.

The AHL is celebrating their 75th anniversary season and is the top development league for the NHL. More than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates and more than 6 million fans attend AHL games every year. Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects with exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey! A variety of ticket packages for all the fast-paced action are on sale now. The Phantoms selection of discount ticket packages includes 3-packs, 6-packs, 12 and 22 Select Plans, full season plans and Flex Packs. Choose the plan that works best for you! Get your tickets at the Phantoms office inside the Glens Falls Civic Center, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2011


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