Akeson Scores 21st But Crunch Rally in 3rd

Published on March 28, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms offense was rolling on Friday night at Syracuse and were able to blast away for four goals. But the host Crunch were able to rally late with a three-goal surge in the third period to pull out a 6-4 come-from-behind win over Adirondack.

The Phantoms had been shut out in their last two games including by Syracuse goalie Kristers Gudlevskis the last time they faced him last Sunday in Glens Falls. But the attack was clicking for Adirondack in this one as they raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and a 3-1 advantage in the second. Jason Akeson tallied his team-leading 21st goal of the year and added an assist. Nick Cousins (9th), Marcel Noebels (3rd) and Ben Holmstrom (12th) also lit the lamp past Gudlevskis.

But Syracuse made the most of their opportunities and were able to score five of the last six overall goals of the night for the win. Cedric Paquette led the Crunch with a couple goals. Max Parent's chip on a 2-on-2 rush quickly into the Phantoms' zone proved to be the game-winner about midway through the third. Talented Jonathan Marchessault added a breakaway goal a few minutes later to close the scoring.

It was the second high-scoring and wild-comeback game for the Phantoms and Crunch in their two Syracuse encounters. On March 1st at Syracuse, the Phantoms trailed 4-1 with just 12 minutes remaining in the third period but staged a furious rally to forge a 4-4 tie before eventually falling in overtime 5-4.

In this one, it was Adirondack who led for the majority of the night before Syracuse would turn up the pressure and stage their own comeback efforts.

Adirondack rookie Nick Cousins opened the scoring 9:31 into the game depositing the rebound of a Cullen Eddy drive with a nifty and patient move to his backhand from the left of the cage opening up his opportunity to stuff in the puck on the short-side of Gudlevskis. A few minutes later, Marcel Noebels accepted a perfect Jason Akeson give from the slot to the left-circle and the young German snapped his third of the year off the far-iron and into the net. Adirondack enjoyed a 2-0 lead at the first break.

Geoff Walker scored for the Crunch about eight minutes into the second period with a terrific chip in the slot of a Jonathan Marchessault feed from the left-wing. Walker deflected it practically behind him to knock the puck high and to the glove-side of Phantoms' goalie Cal Heeter thus putting Syracuse on the board.

The Phantoms responded almost exactly four minutes later on a Jason Akeson intercept and partial breakaway. Derek Whitmore's pressure on the left-wing boards forced a bad breakout pass for the Crunch and Akeson was able to put on the brakes and respond quickly for the intercept and then five-hole conversion through Gudlevskis. Akeson's 21st of the year gave Adirondack a two-goal lead again at 3-1.

Back-to-back goals by Cedric Paquette pulled the Crunch to even in the closing minutes of the second period. Paquette scored on the power-play from Jon Disalvatore with 5:14 remaining in the second period. The cross-ice feed for the back-door slam was technically 5-on-4 but really was a 5-on-3 goal with a Phantom barely having stepped foot out of the box when the goal was scored.

Paquette struck again just 70 seconds later when a loft into the Phantoms zone bounced awkwardly off Adirondack defenseman Maxim Lamarche's body and inadvertently onto the stick of the charging Paquette who wasted no time cranking up his blast from the left circle. With that goal, Syracuse had tied the game at 3-3 heading into the second break.

The Phantoms took advantage of their carry-over power-play time to begin the third and Ben Holmstrom from the right-corner of the crease pushed through the rebound of a Steven Delisle shot. Just 59 seconds into the third, the Phantoms were looking good again with a 4-3 lead.

But Syracuse would continue pressing to score the last three of the game. Dalton Smith benefited from Marchessault's wrap-around try after a steal behind the Phantoms goal. Cal Heeter pulled the splits and kicked his left leg well across the crease to deny Marchessault the shot but that merely set up the unguarded Smith on the other side for the easy back-door slam to tie the game at 4-4.

Syracuse fired the puck up ice for the eventual game-winning goal at 9:16 with Max Parent chipping the precision give into the slot by Yanni Gourde from the right circle. The quick moving 2-on-2 rush would give the Crunch a 5-4 lead. Brett Connolly's long stretch-pass connected with Marchessault who was ruled barely onsides for the breakaway goal with 5:57 remaining to close the scoring.

Jason Akeson with a goal and assist in this game now has 59 points on the season moving him to within three of the team's single-season record held by Jon Matsumoto who had 62 points in 2009-10. Akeson was returning to the lineup after missing his first game of the season on Wednesday due to the flu. Kevin Goumas made his pro debut in the game. The 22-year-old native of Long Island joined the Phantoms earlier in the week following the conclusion of his collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire.

Syracuse out-shot the Phantoms 31-25. Adirondack was 1-for-3 on the power play while Syracuse finished 2-for-4.

Adirondack has one more game against Syracuse this year when the Phantoms return to the Onondoga War Memorial on Wednesday, April 16.

The Phantoms return to the Glens Falls Civic Center on Sautrday night hosting the Springfield Falcons who they just played on Wednesday in Western Mass. Hundreds of prizes will be given away including game-worn Phantoms jerseys, jersey replicas, other Phantoms merchandise, Phantoms prize-packs, and much much more. Just 10 games remain in the regular season including only six home games for the Adirondack Phantoms. Saturday's game is the beginning of a four-game homestand as well; Adirondack will be at home for all three games next weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Another good crowd is expected for the Fan Appreciation Night contest on Saturday. Contact the Phantoms to purchase your tickets in advance at 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2014


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