Bruins escape with shootout win

Published on December 29, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phantoms scored twice in the final 2:34 of regulation to tie the game, but ended up coming out on the short end of a shootout as the Providence Bruins took a 4-3 shootout win before 7,544 at the Wachovia Spectrum.

It took just 68 seconds for the Phantoms to start the scoring. Denis Tolpeko picked off an errant Providence pass high in the Bruins zone, and moved to the top of the circles before blasting a slapshot into the upper left corner past goaltender Brian Finley. The unassisted tally gave the Phantoms an early 1-0 lead.

Providence found the equalizer 1:51 into the second period. T.J. Trevelyan took a pass at the Phantoms blue line and hustled his way past a defender before crossing in front. When Martin Houle moved to the left, Trevelyan pushed the puck back to the right and under Houle to make it a 1-1 affair.

The Bruins then took a 2-1 lead on a shorthanded tally by Dwayne Zinger. Providence forced a turnover at center and brought the puck into the Phantoms end. It found its way to Zinger in the right circle, who in turn snapped a wrist shot just inside the left post past Houle's stick side at 8:15.

Providence took a 3-1 advantage at 7:18 of the third period. Martins Karsums beat a Phantoms defender to the puck and pushed it past Houle to double his club's lead.

Tolpeko bought the pressing Phantoms within a goal with 2:34 remaining on the third period clock. Matt Davis dished the puck from the right wing corner and Tolpeko dunked it in from the top of the crease.

Dimitrakos' individual effort tied the affair with just 53.3 ticks showing. From inside his own blue line, the Massachusetts native weaved his way through traffic, finally ducking into the Baby B's zone and unleashing a wicked 40-foot slapper just by the outstretched right leg of backstop Philippe Sauve and into the onion bag.

After a scoreless five-minute overtime, Philadelphia fell behind 2-0 in the shootout before clawing back to tie it at 2-2 after five rounds. But David Krejci scored in Round 6 opposite a Petr Nedved miss to take the victory.

Houle absorbed the loss despite making 39 saves on 42 shots. Brian Finley made six saves on seven shots before leaving the game with 13:12 left in the second period. Sauve came on in relief and earned the win, making nine saves on 11 shots and turning aside four of six in the shootout.

The Phantoms return to host the Lowell Devils on Saturday, December 30 at 7:05. The first 4,000 fans will receive a limited edition John Slaney figurine, courtesy of Toyota. Individual tickets for all Phantoms games, including $8 tickets for children 14 and under anywhere in the building, are on sale now at phantomshockey.com or by calling 800-298-4200.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2006


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