Hamel Stars in Overtime Comeback Thriller

Published on November 12, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Glens Falls, NY- In a wild comeback victory, Denis Hamel scored a tying goal with less than two minutes remaining and then added the game-winner in overtime as the Adirondack Phantoms fought past the Norfolk Admirals 4-3 on Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. It was the first victory with Adirondack for interim Head Coach John Paddock who assumed the reigns earlier in the week. It was the 735th career professional win for the AHL Hall of Famer.

Trailing 3-2 with time winding down the Phantoms in the 3rd period, Greg Moore rushed into the attacking zone to spark the power play rush. Moore fed David Laliberte up the right wing whose shot caromed off Admirals goalie Cedrick Desjarnais and into the high slot for Denis Hamel who buried his fourth of the season with 1:55 remaining.

In overtime, Eric Wellwood would maneuver deftly through the Admirals defenders along the left-wing boards eventually drawing a tripping penalty from Paul Szezechura. After winning the faceoff cleanly, the Phantoms would work it from left to right with Stefan Legein giving to Eric Gustafsson on center point and moving it to the right ring for Denis Hamel's big top shelf one-timer to win the game.

Hamel joined the Phantoms just two weeks ago and already has five goals in his first four games. The 33 year old AHL veteran now has 295 career AHL goals.

It was the Phantoms first overtime victory of the year in just their second game going to the extra stanza. The team exploded off the bench to rush Hamel and congratulate each other on a hard-earned triumph in front of a crowd of 3414 excited Phantoms fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

While the veteran gave the Phantoms the late victory, it was a pair of rookies who would score in the early going for the Phantoms as Ben Holmstrom scored his 3rd of the year in the opening frame and Eric Wellwood tacked on his 5th of the season in the middle period. It was Wellwood's first goal since rejoining the team after his week-long stretch with the Philadelphia Flyers in which he played in three games.

Norfolk started the scoring in the first period on the power play when defenseman Mike Vernance moved in from the point, down around the net and back-handed it past Johan Backlund to give the Admirals an early 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, on a sensational play by Mike Testwuide to keep the puck in the offensive zone, was able to pass it down low to Jonathon Kalinski who took the shot and the Admiral goaltender, Cedrick Desjardins, sent the rebound out into the slot where Ben Holmstrom picked up the rebound his scored his third goal of the season to tie the game at 1.

While the Admirals were changing, Joonas Lehtivuori banked the puck off the nearside boards up to a hustling Eric Wellwood who went in on a breakaway and roofed it past Desjardins to give the Phantoms a 2-1 lead. The Admirals answered though on a goal by Chris Durno, his fourth of the season, that squeaked through the pads of Johan Backlund to again tie the game at 2.

Paul Szczechura broke the 2-2 tie with just 5:14 remaining to give the Admirals a 3-2 lead setting up the Phantoms' late dramatics. Vladimir Mihalik was called for a slashing minor at 17:25 setting up the power play that led to Hamel's tying goal a 18:05. Then Szczechura took the tripping penalty in overtime that allowed Hamel to provide the game-winner.

The homestand continues for the Phantoms Friday night against the Norfolk Admirals at 7:30 on Faith and Family night. The Saturday,November 13 game will feature Phantoms Mini-Sticks for the first 1,000 kids (age 14 and younger) courtesy of Hometown Chevrolet and also the 2nd Annual 9/11 Memorial Guns and Hoses game with local public safety representatives taking on the NYPD hockey team at 3pm.

Don't be left out! Tickets for all Phantoms games are on sale now. Discount rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Save off the individual ticket price by asking the Phantoms about their great group rate packages.

The AHL is celebrating their 75th anniversary season and is the top development league for the NHL. More than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates and more than 6 million fans attend AHL games every year.

Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects with exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey! A variety of ticket packages for all the fast-paced action are on sale now. The Phantoms selection of discount ticket packages includes 3-packs, 6-packs, 12 and 22 Select Plans, full season plans and Flex Packs. Choose the plan that works best for you! Get your tickets at the Phantoms office inside the Glens Falls Civic Center, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2010


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