Devils edge Phantoms

Published on January 12, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


LOWELL, MA - The Phantoms fought to the final buzzer on Friday night but ended up falling victim to an unlucky bounce in a 5-3 loss to the Lowell Devils at Tsongas Arena. David Clarkson finished the night with four goals for the home team, while three different players provided the scoring for Philadelphia.

Lowell jumped out to a 2-0 lead on one goal each in the first and second periods. Clarkson started his night off with a power play tally at 12:20 of the first period when he pushed home a puck that Phantoms netminder Martin Houle had nearly covered up. Then in the second frame, Clarkson scored again at the 12:06 mark.

But the Phantoms came roaring back with two quick goals in the third period. Matt Ellison picked up the first just 63 seconds in when he redirected a centering pass from Darren Reid at the top of the crease. Stefan Ruzicka, playing his first game for the Phantoms since returning from a lengthy NHL recall, bagged the second on a snap shot at 5:08 off a feed from Jussi Timonen.

The teams traded goals later on in the period, with Clarkson finishing off the hat trick at 8:32 for a 3-2 lead, only to see John Slaney tie it up on the power play at 10:14. Slaney, who picked up his second goal of the season, scored his 497th career American Hockey League point to inch closer to becoming the first defenseman in league history to reach the 500-point plateau.

That set up the heartbreaker with 58.8 seconds left in regulation. Ryan Murphy picked up a loose puck off a rebound at the bottom of the right circle and threw it in front. The puck pinballed off Houle and went in for the game-winner. Clarkson iced it with an empty-netter with one second remaining, becoming just the second player - and the second this season - to ever post four goals in a game against Philadelphia.

Houle took the loss with 27 saves on 31 of Lowell's 32 shots, while Frank Doyle earned the win by stopping 22 of 25 Phantoms opportunities. Reid extended his personal scoring streak to five games, which ties a Phantoms season high.

The Phantoms remain in Lowell, enjoying a rare Saturday off before a Sunday afternoon rematch with the Devils at 2:00. Philadelphia's next home game is Friday, January 19 at 7:05 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. It's NASCAR Night with the Phantoms, with the first 5,000 fans taking home a Phantoms matchbox car courtesy of Ransome-Cat. Also, the No. 31 Jeff Burton Cingular Chevrolet Monte Carlo will be on hand, and Dover International Speedway will be bringing up its Tire Changing Challenge.

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 January 12, 2007


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