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Gibson's 38 Stops Thwarts Phantoms

October 25, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms were denied on try after try in a showstopping performance by goaltender John Gibson and the visiting Norfolk Admirals emerged from the Glens Falls Civic Center with a 3-0 victory on Friday night.

The 20-year-old rookie from Pittsburgh who led Team USA to a gold medal in the World Juniors Championships in January recorded 38 saves on his way to his first career shutout in just his sixth professional game. The Phantoms blasted away for 14 shots in the third period trying to get on the board and had some gorgeous chances by Gibson stopped them all...mostly. It appeared Kris Newbury may have drawn iron off a left-wing shot early in the third on one of the few times Adirondack could say they actually beat Gibson.

Chris VandeVelde had a perfect one-timer in the slot on a give from Kris Newbury in the third period but Gibson made a tremendous left-leg kick-save to preserve the shutout. Earlier in the game, VandeVelde was denied in the second period when he couldn't elevate over a prone Gibson and shot the puck into the goalie's arm while on his belly on the ice. Gibson's best stop in the first period was perhaps on a long slapshot from center-point by Bruno Gervais in which Gibson had come out high in the crease, was going down almost into the splits, and then lunged up and well over to his left for a remarkable glove save that foreshadowed the performance to come.

"We're all alone in front of the net several times tonight," said Phantoms head coach Terry Murray. "He makes an unbelievable stop on VandeVelde in the second period. I don't know how that didn't go in. We had all kinds of looks. Grade-A scoring chances. You gotta get the numbers. The numbers are up there. He (Gibson) was outstanding tonight BUT on the other side of things we're the ones that are giving up and losing the game ourselves. The other team is not coming at us and doing anything extra-special."

The Phantoms outshot the Admirals 38-27 during the game and 14-3 in the third period but to no avail.

Peter Holland scored twice for Norfolk and Max Sauve added another as the Admirals had a 3-0 lead before the midway point of the game that would be more than enough for Gibson.

"Three goals off three face-offs, that's what happened," Murray said. "The first two goals are plays that we gotta defend better against. The third goal is the same way. They walk down the middle of the ice off a face-off win in their own D-zone and that's a goal that we just can't give up. We had lots of opportunities but we cannot give up as many opportunities as we're giving up right now."

Tye McGinn returned to Adirondack and arrived just a few hours before game-time. from Philadelphia. Kris Newbury made his Phantoms debut after being loaned by Philadelphia earlier in the week. For Newbury, it was his 600th career AHL game.

Zack FitzGerald left the game in the first period following a fight with Norfolk's Zack Stortini. The two league-leaders in penalty minutes squared off at their first opportunity and Stortini's final swing got FitzGerald square on the nose.

A strange lineup card snafu happened in the first period of the game. Tyler Brown played three shifts and had one shot on goal in the first period before it was realized that his name was not actually on the signed lineup card that Terry Murray had turned in. Derek Mathers quickly got dressed and joined the team on the bench by the end of the first period after having been notified that his name was actually on the card instead. No penalty was issued to the Phantoms for the shifts taken by the ineligible player. But Brown had to leave the game due to his omission on the lineup card and was not allowed to return. Terry Murray took the blame for that issue and said he made the card earlier in the day when he was uncertain as to whether McGinn would be available to play in the game. And then forgot to change it by game-time.

Yann Danis made 25 saves in the loss. Norfolk was 0-for-5 on the power play while Adirondack went 0-for-4. Norfolk improved to 4-1-2 while the Phantoms fell to 1-4-2.

The game was the first of four this season between the Phantoms and Admirals. Adirondack will travel to Norfolk, Virginia for a weekend set right before Christmas. The Admirals do not return to Glens Falls until April.

Adirondack concludes their weekend stretch of games on Saturday night at the Binghamton Senators at 7:00.

The Phantoms and Dax will be at the Boo 2 You Halloween Block Pary on Glen Street in downtown Glens Falls from 2-4 PM handing out candy to the kids AND also giving away free kids tickets for their home game next Wednesday.

Next week, the Phantoms have three home games in four days. Adirondack hosts Springfield on Wednesday night with a Costume Parade On Ice. All fans dressed in costume are invited to join the between-periods parade fronted by our fearless leader, Dax.

Friday night, Adirondack hosts Binghamton on Military Appreciation Night.

Saturday the Phantoms host the Albany Devils featuring a post-game photo session with all the players on the ice. Bring your cameras! Call the Phantoms for tickets at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2013


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.

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