Late Comeback Extends Point Streak to Five

Published on January 8, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms continued their recent trend of late, exciting comebacks with perhaps their most dramatic of all. The Phantoms scored twice in the last four minutes of regulation including Michael Ryan's tying tally with 23 seconds left allowing Adirondack to extend their point streak to five games in a 3-2 shootout loss at the Abbotsford Heat. The 3,000 mile journey to Abbotsford, British Columbia in western Canada is the furthest away from home in Adirondack or Phantoms hockey history.

Adirondack is 4-0-1 in their last five games and also 7-2-1 in their last ten.

The Phantoms were down 2-0 and also down a man on the ice with Ryan sitting a penalty when there were only four minutes to go. But Kalinski blocked a pass and raced up the right-wing on a 2-on-2. He took the shot himself on the short-side on Heat goalie Leland Irving to get Adirondack on the board with the shorthanded goal.

Michael Ryan then continued his habit of tying the score when he accepted a Kalinski feed from behind the goal and blasted it through Irving with only 23 seconds to go. Ryan has a four game goal streak with five goals in the stretch. All five of his goals have come when the Phantoms were down by one goal.

But the Phantoms weren't able to continue their success in shootouts and lost for the first time this season as three Heat shooters scored on Michael Leighton. Greg Moore scored the only goal in the shootout for the Phantoms.

Adirondack struggled out of the gate early and Abbotsford benefited from a 6 to 1 difference in total power plays. Leighton made some impressive saves to hold the Heat at bay. Abbotsford broke the scoreless deadlock when they scored late in the second period on the power play on a tally by Lance Bouma jamming it in from the side of the net. They extended their lead to 2-0 with eight minutes left in the third on a goal by Cam Cunning in the slot that just made it through Leighton.

The Heat were taking out their recent offensive frustrations on the Phantoms with a solid attack in the first period. Abbotsford ended a seven game losing streak with the victory.

Leighton made 32 saves on 34 shots in a fine performance in his first game back with the Phantoms since clearing waivers from Philadelphia earlier this week.

Adirondack is 1-1-1 against Abbotsford this year. The Heat were 1-for-6 on the power play while the Phantoms were 0-for-1. The Heat outshot the Phantoms 35-21 including 21-8 in the first two periods.

Notes: The team will conclude their two game series at Abbotsford and four game road swing on Saturday night at 10:00pm. The Phantoms make the long trip back beginning Sunday morning at 6:00am Pacific time to eventually get back to Glens Falls Sunday night. Adirondack scratches for the Friday game at Abbotsford included Marc-Andre Bourdon, Stefan Legein, Denis Hamel and J.P. Testwuide.

Upcoming Games:

Saturday, January 8, 10:00pm - Adirondack Phantoms at Abbotsford Heat

Friday, January 14, 7:30pm - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, January 15, 7:00pm - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms

Sunday, January 16, 4:00pm - Adirondack Phantoms at Syracuse Crunch

Upcoming Promotions:

Friday, January 14 - $1 Hot Dogs

Saturday, January 15 - Phlex Retirement Party. Unifirst Youth Backpacks for first 1,000 kids age 14 and younger.

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 January 8, 2011


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