Hamel's 20th is Game-Winner

Published on March 6, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Denis Hamel and Ben Holmstrom scored two goals apiece as Adirondack rallied from behind in the 3rd period for another exciting win for the Phantoms. The 4-3 victory for Adirondack evened up the season series with the Albany Devils at four games each in the battle for the Time Warner Cable Cup. Michael Ryan picked up three assists on the night. It was the first career multi-goal game for Holmstrom.

Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Hamel would score back-to-back power play goals three minutes apart to turn the tables on Albany. It is Hamel's ninth season with 20 or more goals in the AHL and his fourth in a row.

The penalty-filled game featured a lot of testiness on both sides as the local rivals appear to be developing a greater distaste for each other each time they play. There are four more games remaining in the season series including this Friday night in Glens Falls.

The Phantoms have won three of their last four. And they have only two regulation losses in their last 12 games sporting a 6-2-4 mark in the stretch dating back to February 5. Johan Backlund recorded his eighth win of the year with a solid performance in net including several impressive stops among his 26 total saves. The team benefited from nine power plays on the night and capitalized on three of them equaling their season high for PPG's in a single game.

Adirondack scored their quickest goal of the season just 16 seconds into the game. Ben Holmstrom struck from the slot after Mike Testwuide and Michael Ryan helped intercept it.

Former Adirondack Frostbite Pierre-Luc Letorneau-Leblond benefited from a J.S. Berube steal in the corner and beat Backlund short-side to tie the game at 1-1. It was Leblond's 4th of the season and 2nd against Adirondack.

Devils rookie Adam Henrique rifled a shot from the right-wing wall off the top of Backlund's glove that then bounced off the underside of the cross-bar, straight down to the goal-line, and then into the net to give the visitors a 2-1 lead with three minutes remaining in the second.

Holmstrom's second goal would come in the opening minute of the third on the power play as he held the puck at the top of the left-wing circle and then snapped it across Albany netminder Jeff Frazee to the high, far corner for his 12th of the season tying the game at 2-2.

Stephen Gionta picked off a pass in the Adirondack zone three minutes later and drove to the net to stuff in his 10th giving the Devils the lead again at 3-2.

That lead would last only 71 seconds. Denis Hamel would rifle a slapshot from the right-wing wall keeping it low on Frazee. As the Albany netminder stood tall he got beaten between the skates as Adirondack had again tied the score, this time at 3-3.

Three minutes later, Jon Kalinski had a puck hit him high on the body as he was able to keep the Devils from getting it out. Kalinski collected the puck and quickly fed an open Hamel in the slot who was able to score his 20th of the season. The game-winner for the 4-3 advantage came at 7:51 of the third.

The game-winning goal came on a power play that was hotly disputed by Albany's Alexander Urbom. Called for a holding penalty that led to the Phantoms man-advantage, Urbom continued to give it to referee Jaime Koharski until he was called for another unsportsmanlike conduct. If the Devils were trying to get under the skin of the Phantoms the strategy appeared to have potentially backfired. As Adirondack had nine power plays on the game but were able to remain composed and only surrender four man advantages to the Devils.

The Phantoms outshot the Devils 32-29. Adirondack was 3-for-9 on the power play while Albany went 0-for-4.

Denis Hamel has 310 career goals placing him 17th all-time in AHL history. He is six goals behind Bruce Boudreau for 15th and is 15 goals behind Adirondack Red Wing great Glenn Merkosky for 11th.

Adirondack returns to action Friday night again tangling with the Albany Devils game nine of the Time-Warner Cable Cup rivalry. Saturday night the Phantoms host the Hershey Bears on Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame Night presented by Glens Falls National Bank featuring Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose.

Phantoms Notes: Scratches for the game included Luke Pither, Tom Sestito and Matt Walker. Sestito is on bereavement leave after a death in his family. He is expected to make his Phantoms debut next Friday after being acquired in a trade last week from Springfield (Columbus Blue Jackets) for Greg Moore. Earlier in the week, Marc-Andre Bourdon was sent to Greenville (SC) of the ECHL on a weekend rehab stint. They are Bourdon's first games in over two months. Holmstrom is the only Phantom to have played in all 62 games this season

UPCOMING GAMES

Saturday, March 12, 4:30 p.m. - Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame Reception, Dinner and Induction ceremony at Heritage Hall. Appearing will be Adirondack hockey greats Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose. Tickets for the dinner are $30 or get a table of 10 for $250.

Saturday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms - Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame Night sponsored by Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company. Honoring Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose. All three will be attending on a very special night. Phantoms wearing special AHL 75th Anniversary commemorative jerseys.

Sunday, March 13, 3:00 p.m. - Adirondack Phantoms at Springfield Falcons

Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. - Binghamton Senators at Adirondack Phantoms - Check it Out Night. Ticket Discounts with your library card.

Join us at the Glens Falls Civic Center for exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey, the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.

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 and flex-packs.

Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects. 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 March 6, 2011


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