Fan Appreciation Night Crowd Watches Exciting Shootout Game

Published on March 29, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Another near-sellout crowd filled the Glens Falls Civic Center and cranked up the noise-level yet again as they enjoyed Fan Appreciation Night with the Adirondack Phantoms. A back-and-forth and hard-fought game by both teams was eventually taken by the visiting Springfield Falcons 4-3 in a shootout. Adirondack stood toe-to-toe with the division leaders and one of the top teams in the league and thrilled the large turnout of 4,680 in the exciting battle.

Trailing 2-0 late in the second period, the Phantoms would score three consecutive goals late in the second and early in the third bringing the big house to a roar. Brandon Manning started the comeback followed by Mark Alt and then newcomer Kevin Goumas consecutively just 34 seconds apart in the third. For Goumas, in his second professional game and Glens Falls debut, it was his first career professional goal. The 22-year-old speedster from the University of New Hampshire was zipping around all over the zone creating opportunities. He also would score in the second round of the shootout on his way to earning #2 Star of the Game honors. If Adirondack had hung on for the win, undoubtedly he would have been tabbed as the #1 Star of the Game.

The night also marked the North American professional debut for 19-year-old Robert Hagg from Sweden who came perilously close to scoring the game-winner early in the overtime period.

With the Phantoms overcoming the 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead on this special night celebrating American League hockey in Glens Falls, it just felt like all the pieces were coming into place for a perfect evening to thank the crowd on this big evening in which "thank you's" were being shared all around. But Dana Tyrell scored between the circles midway through the third period to equalize at 3-3 and then Springfield eventually prevailed in six rounds in the shootout on a game-winner from Cody Bass after the Phantoms had led after four rounds on goals by Kevin Goumas and Derek Whitmore.

Fans arrived to the arena to find a gigantic "THANKS!" spelled out on the seats across from the main-entrance in huge letters. It was quite the sight to behold. And that was just the beginning of the festivities of the evening which included hundreds of prizes given away throughout the game. And while the Phantoms were taking the opportunity on Fan Appreciation Night to thank their loyal fans, it was again the fans who were a big story as they continue to impress with another large and enthusiastic turnout showing yet again how tremendous the support in the North Country remains for the AHL.

The Phantoms received top-notch efforts up and down the lineup as they battled hard with the Falcons for more than 65 minutes on Saturday . It was a complete effort by both teams from the onset, and that stayed true throughout the entire contest.

The first period, though scoreless, was not bereft of chances. The Phantoms just ran into some incredible goaltending and some bad luck. Adirondack ripped nine shots on net in the first 12 minutes, peppering goalie Mike McKenna from quality scoring areas. McKenna was up to the task, however, and he made several acrobatic saves early on in the period. One drive actually made it past him, but lost its steam as it trickled through the blue, and was eventually swept aside before crossing the line.

But as good as McKenna's start to the game was, Cal Heeter's was just as good, if not better. Heeter was subjected to all types of Falcons chances throughout the first, including odd-man rushes, strange re-directs, and close battles in front of the net. He stopped all 12 shots that came his way to send the game into the second period as a scoreless draw.

Springfield's persistence paid off, however, as they finally cracked Heeter 11 minutes into the second. Carter Camper swung around behind the Adirondack net, and waited patiently as Craig moved out in front of the crease. Camper centered to Craig, who chipped it in behind Heeter to give the Falcons the lead.

They extended that lead to 2-1 a little more than four minutes later. Boyce started a 2-on-1 rush for the Falcons, and held the puck the whole way, finishing with his 14th of the season, assisted by Jake Hansen.

But McKenna, despite his share of circus-type saves, proved to be mortal just like Heeter, and the Phantoms came roaring back with three unanswered goals during a dominant stretch in the second and third periods.

With 3:45 left in the second, Brandon Manning unleashed a heavy slap shot on McKenna, which blazed right past his shoulder and in, pulling the Phantoms within one. The goal was Manning's seventh of the season, with Jason Akeson and Kyle Flanagan collecting assists.

The Phantoms then tied the game six minutes into the third. Defenseman Mark Alt rushed up the right side and swung wide on Carter Camper, before bearing in on net. Alt fired the puck low on McKenna and was able to beat him five-hole with his fourth goal of the year.

The two goals put the Phantoms on a surge in which they dominated the play for the next minute, culminating in their third consecutive goal. This time, it was rookie Kevin Goumas who earned the tally. Goumas took a feed from Ben Holmstrom and netted his first-ever professional hockey goal, and it was a big one as it gave Adirondack the 3-2 lead.

Springfield, however, would not back down. Three minutes later, Tyrell scored his 14th to even the game up at three with just about nine minutes to go.

The incredibly evenly matched game stayed tied for the remainder of regulation, at which point the Falcons led in shots 31-30. The overtime was the same story, as both teams traded punches but neither faltered.

Just nine games remain in the regular season including only five at home. Three of those home games will come consecutively next weekend when Adirondack hosts Norfolk, Bridgeport and Albany back-to-back-to-back on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call the Phantoms for tickets in advance to save or Sunday Family FunPacks to receive the best deals available: 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2014


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