Bears Claw Phantoms 4-1
January 3, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
HERSHEY, PA - Keith Aucoin scored two goals and had one assist to lead the Hershey Bears to a 4-1 win over the Adirondack Phantoms Sunday afternoon at the Giant Center.
Adirondack had won two of their first three meetings with the East Division's first place team and seemed to come out with more energy out of the opening face off. Yet in spite of the intensity, the Bears would take the lead just six minutes into the game on their first power play. Hershey methodically worked the puck around the offensive zone, trying the lull the Phantoms defenseman, and eventually Mathieu Perreault made a nice crossing pass to captain Bryan Helmer who was all alone at the far left post for a one-timer into the open net. The Bears struck again at 12:30 during a four-on-four situation when leading-scorer Keith Aucoin one-timed a pass from Patrick Wellar into the net for a 2-0 lead. Adirondack out-shot Hershey 11-9 in the first period, but found themselves trailing by two heading into the first intermission.
The Bears added to their lead just 1:52 into the second period as Aucoin found Andrew Gordon at the far post for a power play goal to make it 3-0 Hershey. The Phantoms were held without a shot on goal for the first nine minutes of the second frame, but managed to get eight shots on starter Semyon Varlamov by the end of the period.
Stefan Legein gave the Phantoms some life in the third period as he combined with captain Jared Ross for a shorthanded goal at 11:48, Legein's team-leading 17th goal of the season, assisted by Ross and Logan Stephenson. But Aucoin had the response that ended Adirondack's hopes for a comeback as he scored his second goal of the night at 17:39 and Varlamov shut the door for a 4-1 win.
Semyon Varlamov stopped 28-of-29 shots to help Hershey extended their winning streak to ten games and improve to 27-8-0-2 on the season. John Grahame made 18 saves on 22 shots in the loss for Adirondack, who dropped to 16-16-2-0 this year. The Phantoms out-shot the Bears 29-22 in the game and went 0-for-6 on the power play; Hershey was 2-for-6 with the man-advantage.
The Phantoms will return home to prepare for Round Seven of the Time Warner Cable Cup series with the Albany River Rats on Wednesday, January 6th at the Times Union Center. Adirondack's next home game is on Saturday, January 9th as they host the Portland Pirates at 7:00 pm at the Civic Center. Saturday's game is Phantoms Team Poster Giveaway Night and there is a post-game autograph session with the entire team in Heritage Hall.
There is no better way to watch Phantoms Hockey than by sharing it with a group of your family and friends. Bring a group of 15 or more people to the Glens Falls Civic Center and qualify for incredible discounted ticket prices off the regular box office rates. For more information about group tickets, contact the Phantoms at 518-480-3355 or visit www.phantomshockey.com.
American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2010
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- Bears Claw Phantoms 4-1 - Adirondack Phantoms
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