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Late Surge for Phantoms But Manchester Hangs on 4-2

March 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The visiting Adirondack Phantoms refused to give up this one without a fight. Trailing 4-0 entering the third period at the first-place Manchester Monarchs, Adirondack surged back and dominated the final frame on their way to a 4-2 defeat.

The Phantoms were trying to summon the same hockey-karma that helped guide them to a big three-goal comeback in the third period just seven days earlier at Syracuse. But this time the Monarchs were able to hold off the Phantoms just enough to get to the finish line.

Brian O'Neill led the way for the Monarchs with a natural hat trick as he lit the lamp on the first three goals scored for either side. O'Neill is a former standout from Yale University who was previously teammates on the Bulldogs with Adirondack defenseman Mike Matczak.

Bruno Gervais (8th) and Kris Newbury (14th) scored power-play goals in the comeback effort for the Phantoms. Yann Danis was tagged with the loss in the first two periods of the game for the Phantoms. Carsen Chubak entered in third-period relief and made saves on all four shots on goal he faced.

Head Coach Terry Murray made a bold statement late in the second period in his efforts to notify his team that they still had plenty of quality hockey to play. With teams skating 4-on-4 and the Phantoms trailing 4-0, Murray made the unusual move of pulling his goalie for an extra attacker in the second period with 27 seconds remaining. After all, in order to try to pull off the monster comeback it would be huge to score right before the intermission.

The tactic did not result in a goal but it appeared to jolt the Phantoms even more to life for the third-period surge in which they came very close to putting Manchester on the ropes.

O'Neill scored less than two minutes into the game on his drive from the right circle that somehow sneaked through Danis. And then Jordan Weal chopped down a clearing try at center and sent O'Neill flying up ice on a partial breakaway which he converted to make it 2-0 for Manchester at the first break.

In between the first two O'Neill goals was a breakaway for Adirondack's Chris VandeVelde but he was robbed on a tremendous glove-save by winning goalie J.F. Berube. The Monarchs netminder would also deny Nick Cousins on the backdoor with a terrific left-leg save in the second period and he also got enough of a Chris VandeVelde backhander falling away to again deny the the Phantoms from scoring.

O'Neill finished the hat trick in the second period on another Manchester steal. After the puck was picked off at the Adirondack line, Jordan Weal recorded his third assist of the game as he set up O'Neill down low right on top of Danis. O'Neill went wide across the slot and was able to convert on his wrister by the time he faded all the over to the right circle. His 16th of the year and third of the night gave the Monarchs a 3-0 lead.

And just a little over two minutes after that, Nick Shore would deflect a drive from new Monarchs defenseman Brayden McNabb for a 4-0 advantage.

The Phantoms comeback efforts in the third period began with Bruno Gervais burying his one-timer from the left circle on a nice cross-ice pass from Tye McGinn. Gervais' 8th of the year was his 2nd in the last two games and got Adirondack on the board on the power play at 4-1.

A few minutes later, the Phantoms received a huge opportunity with a 5-on-3 chance. And this time it was Kris Newbury converting with a drive from the base of the right-ring on a cross-ice give by Nick Cousins. Suddenly, the Phantoms were back in the game at 4-2 but there was only 9:24 remaining. Still, the Phantoms just last weekend were down by the same 4-2 score with under three minutes remaining and were able to storm back to force overtime in that one. So why not do it again?! Adirondack was continuing their dominance in the Manchester zone in the third having successfully picked up the play from the slower start.

Kris Newbury was assessed a double-minor for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct which put a crimp in Adirondack's comeback plans. The Phantoms pulled goalie Carsen Chubak with a couple minutes left but were not able to seriously challenge J.F. Berube in the closing moments as Manchester hung on for the victory in Adirondack's lone visit to New Hampshire this year.

Manchester is the top team in the American Hockey League and improved to 37-16-8 overall and 21-6-3 at home. The Phantoms had their three-game point-streak come to a close as their record moves to 24-28-4.

Adirondack is at home Saturday night against the Springfield Falcons. Fans can arrive early to enjoy the $12 All-You-Can-Eat Breakaway Buffet in Heritage Hall. Purchase your game tickets in advance to save: 518-480-3355. The Phantoms conclude their busy three-in-three weekend on Sunday afternoon at the Providence Bruins.

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