Boucher Impressive Win in AHL Return
Published on January 19, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
Brian Boucher looked every bit the talented, veteran goalie in his first AHL game in over three season as he turned aside 28 Worcester Sharks' drives to lead the Phantoms to a 2-1 road victory Saturday night. Cullen Eddy (1st) and Tye McGinn (11th) scored in Adirondack's triumph at the DCU Center.
But it was the 36-year-old veteran Boucher who stole the show. A couple of his best saves came as Adirondack was clinging to a one-goal lead and trying to grind their way to the finish line. In the second period playing 4-on-4, Worcester picked one off at center and turned it into a 3-on-1 back in the Phantoms zone. Daniil Tarasov from the right circle gave it to the middle but quickly got it back again only to be robbed on the quick glove of Boucher sliding to his left.
Then with 2:23 remaining in the third period, John McCarthy deked his way around a Phantoms defenseman and moved in all alone on Boucher on a clean mini-breakaway. McCarthy got off a good shot to the left-wing post but Boucher flashed out his right leg-pad for the best save of the night to preserve the victory.
It was Boucher's first game and first win in the AHL since October 18, 2009 when he won for Adirondack at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Interestingly, Jon Matsumoto scored one of the Adirondack goals in that game. And Boucher ended up denying Jon Matsumoto, now one of the top scorers for the Sharks, a couple of times in this one.
Boucher began his professional career with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 1997-98 winning a Calder Cup and appearing in the AHL All-Star Game. He also was with the team for their regular season games to Glens Falls to play against the Adirondack Red Wings.
The NHL veteran of seven different teams was picked up by the Flyers organization in a trade with Carolina last week as an insurance policy for Ilya Brysgalov and Michael Leighton in case of injury with the big club. And Boucher recovering from off-season injury appeared to find his groove extremely quickly in the game and then was strongest in the third period when the Sharks were surging the strongest.
Cullen Eddy scored his first goal of the season early in the game when his drive from the right point eluded Worcester goalie Alex Stalock.
Brodie Reid was all alone in front of Boucher later in the period was able to tie the score with ninth of the season and only goal of the night surrendered by the Phantoms.
Tye McGinn scored what proved to be the game-winner midway through the second period on the rebound of a Danny Syvret power play shot. It was McGinn' second goal of the weekend shortly after being sent back to the AHL from Philadelphia's NHL training camp and also his 11th of the season which is tops among active Adirondack Phantoms. He trails Brayden Schenn's total of 13 for the official team lead.
Worcester outshot the Phantoms 29-24. Adirondack was 1-for-7 on the power play while the Sharks were 0-for-2.
Several fights developed on big hits deal out by Sharks players. Ian Slater and Zack FitzGerald went up to big, tough guy Matt Pelech in separate bouts. And Cullen Eddy dropped them with Bracken Kearns shortly he had been on the receiving end of one of the big hits by Pelech.
Brandon Manning missed the game with an illness. Harry Zolnierczyk assumed alternate captain duties with Danny Syvret in Manning's absence. Mike Testwuide was a healthy scratch and other scratches included Garrett Roe, Matt Konan, Erik Gustafsson and Ben Holmstrom.
The Phantoms wind up their 3-in-3 weekend stretch with a 4:00 engagement Sunday afternoon at the Albany Devils. Adirondack's next home game is Friday night against Albany on Pink in the Rink Night presented by Glens Falls Hospital with jersey-auction proceeds to benefit the C.R. Wood Cancer Center. Special Pink in the Rink fundraising tickets for $15 with $5 to go the cause are available by calling 518-480-3355.
American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2013
- Texas Ties Club Record, Crushes Peoria 8-4 - Texas Stars
- Dainton Leads Falcons To Milestone Victory - Springfield Falcons
- Monarchs Crowning Moment - Manchester Monarchs
- Rampage Can't Complete Sweep, Fall 2-1 in OKC - San Antonio Rampage
- Monsters Finish 5-1 on Six-Game Road Trip with Win in Syracuse - Cleveland Monsters
- Marlies Edge Bulldogs 3-2 in a Shootout - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Marlies Drop Bulldogs 3-2 in a Shootout - Toronto Marlies
- Sweatt's Goals Guide Wolves to 3-1 Win Before 15,021 - Chicago Wolves
- Palat Scores Twice But Crunch Fall to Monsters - Syracuse Crunch
- Sellout Crowd Sees Admirals Fall One Goal Short in Goaltending Duel - Norfolk Admirals
- Houston Aeros Fall to Wolves 3-1 - Houston Aeros
- Boucher Impressive Win in AHL Return - Adirondack Phantoms
- Whale earn a 4-1 win - Connecticut Whale
- Campbell Leads Sound Tigers to 4-2 Win over Senators - Bridgeport Islanders
- Pasquale, IceCaps Blank Admirals - St. John's IceCaps
- Sharks Drop a 2-1 Fiesty Affair in Front of 6,900+ at DCU Center - Worcester Sharks
- Eddy Estoclet Wahl Reassigned to Utah - Abbotsford Heat
- B-Sens Fall Short against Sound Tigers, 4-2 - Binghamton Senators
- Devils Lose in Shootout 2-1 - Albany Devils
- Bruins Fall to Monarchs - Providence Bruins
- 626 American Hockey League Alumni on NHL Opening-Day Rosters - AHL
- Blues Assign Forward Chris Porter to Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Hogs Ride Three Game Win Streak into Divisional Showdown with Griffins - Rockford IceHogs
- Wolves Recall Corbeil - Chicago Wolves
- Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Albany, Game #38 - Springfield Falcons
- Dallas Returns Antoine Roussel to Texas - Texas Stars
- Penguins Release Barton and Crowder from PTOs - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Admirals Cap Comeback with Shootout Win - Norfolk Admirals
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.
