Devils Strike Back at Phantoms

December 27, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The AHL's top goalie turned in a 19-save shutout for the Albany Devils in a 2-0 decision over the Adirondack Phantoms on Friday night at Times Union Center. Keith Kinkaid earned his league-leading fourth shutout of the season although he was actually outplayed by Adirondack's Cal Heeter who allowed only one goal in a sterling 31-save performance that just wasn't enough for the win.

Kinkaid's 10th career shutout in three seasons is also his second time blanking the Phantoms. The Union College product also turned in a 30-save shutout on January 28, 2012. Kinkaid lowered his goals-against average to a paltry 1.97 to take over sole possession of the league leadership.

Adirondack had won their previous two visits to Times Union Center, both in November, but could not solve Kinkaid in this contest as Albany evened the Northway Rivalry series this year 3-3 now at the midway point of the 12-game slate.

On Heeter's side of the ice were several dazzling stops on Albany shooters including three tremendous saves just on Harri Pesonen at different times. Kinkaid was tested on a couple of rushes and made key kick saves on Phantoms chances but overall Adirondack was not able to muster as many quality opportunities against the stingy Devils defense who successfully protected their slim 1-0 advantage for pretty much the duration of the contest.

Albany scored 6:10 into the game on a Scott Timmins drive in the slot following a Joe Whitney dig in the corner and that would hold up as the lone goal for either side until the very last moments of the game when Chris McKelvie would slam an empty-netter with just 3.8 seconds remaining to close the contest.

The game marked the third time this year that Heeter has found himself tagged with a loss despite giving up just one goal. Heeter and the Phantoms fell in a pair of 1-0 games in Glens Falls on November 30 and December 4 against Syracuse and Bridgeport on nights when "almost perfect" would not be enough.

"Heeter played a very good game," head coach Terry Murray said. "He gave us an opportunity to hang on in the game late into the third period and right up to the empty-net. The opportunity was there. He played well. But we gave them a lot and they had pretty much free reign of our zone."

It was Cal Heeter's 10th consecutive start in goal for the Phantoms dating back to the November 29 injury of Yann Danis on a collision with a couple of players in Adirondack's last visit to Times Union Center.

Adirondack was also able to keep the game close due to another big performance on the penalty-kill as they held Albany to 0-for-7 in the game including 0-for-4 in the first period. The grind of the schedule has become a factor on the Phantoms with some players battling their way through nagging injuries while others are missing from the lineup including Bruno Gervais, Matt Konan, Marcel Noebels and goalie Yann Danis.

"We can't feel sorry for ourselves because we have some injuries and some key guys out of the lineup right now," head coach Terry Murray said. "We got away from things and became a bunch of individual guys trying to do too much. You'll never get away with it no matter who you're playing. We got to pull it back in and be better tomorrow."

Albany outshot the Phantoms 33-19 in the game as Adirondack equaled a season-low for shots on goal. Adirondack was 0-for-4 on the power and the Devils finished 0-for-7. Adirondack's record drops to 14-13-2 while the Devils improved to 18-8-3.

The Northway Rivalry series this season is now even at 3-3. The Adirondack Phantoms and Albany Devils are also tied in the all-time series over the past four seasons now at 20-20. Game #41 of the rivalry to break the tie will take place on Saturday, January 4 in Glens Falls.

Defenseman Maxim Lamarche arrived in the morning following his reassignment to Adirondack from Elmira of the ECHL and made his AHL debut in place of Bruno Gervais. Lamarche had played 20 games with Elmira so far this year. The 21-year-old rookie is former teammates with Petr Straka in the QMJHL.

The Phantoms are 5-3-0 in their last eight games. Since October 26, Adirondack has gone 13-9-0 in their last 22 games. Rob Bordson played in his 129th consecutive game for the Adirondack Phantoms in a streak which dates back to February 24, 2012. Cullen Eddy played in his 197th game for the Adirondack Phantoms and is on the verge of joining Ben Holmstrom as the lone members of the 200-Game Club with the team.

The Phantoms open a five-game homestand, the longest of the year, beginning Saturday night against the Providence Bruins on Youth T-Shirt Night. On Tuesday evening at 5:00 PM, Adirondack will host the Worcester Sharks in their traditional New Year's Eve home game. The Phantoms have announced that all tickets for the Tuesday game are now available for only $10 each. The sale begins Saturday morning and continues through game-time on the Tuesday contest to close out play in 2013. To purchase your tickets in advance and land the best seats in the house for only $10, call the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2013


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