Manning Scores Overtime Winner

Published on October 5, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Brandon Manning rushed into the crease to slam home a loose puck for his second career overtime winner and the Adirondack Phantoms prevailed in their season debut at the Hershey Bears 4-3.

Ben Holmstrom, Tye McGinn and Brandon Alderson also scored goals for the Adirondack Phantoms in the come-from-behind effort as they begin the 2013-14 regular season 1-0-0. 32 year old veteran goalie Yann Danis notched the victory in his Phantoms debut.

Jason Akeson had intercepted a bad pass back in the Phantoms zone and led a two-on-one rush with rookie Petr Straka. The backhand attempt by Straka was denied on a spectacular and scrambling save by Bears goalie Phillipp Grubauer but Manning was hustling hard behind the play and was able to get to the free puck before Grubauer could gather it in. The assist was the first pro point for Czech Republic native Straka who joined the Flyers organization from the Quebec Major Juniors League.

Trailing 3-2 entering the third period, Brandon Alderson would score his first career pro goal on a crucial late power play. The rookie from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL benefited by the quick skating of defenseman Matt Konan who sped past all three lines to enter the zone and then draw the defense to him in the slot. Alderson converted top shelf from the right circle at 8:25 into the final frame with the equalizer.

Adirondack had raced out a 2-0 lead in the opening four minutes of the game before Hershey turned the tables in the second period.

Ben Holmstrom returned to captain the team for his third season and in his first shift since December 7, 2012 was able to follow through on the rebound of a Michael Raffl shot from the right circle. Holmstrom missed most of last season with a knee injury and his goal at 1:13 into the game provided the Phantoms with the initial 1-0 lead. The set-up was the first career North American point for native Austrian Michael Raffl.

The Phantoms made it 2-0 shortly thereafter when Tye McGinn would score similarly on a rebound of a Nick Cousins shot. Cousins was able to blow past a Hershey defenseman to set up the opportunity.

Adirondack struggled in the middle period as Hershey scored three straight to take the lead. Rookie Nate Schmidt went top-shelf on Danis in the opening minute of the middle frame to get the Bears on the board. Michael Latte stripped Jason Akeson of the puck at center-ice to create a shorthanded breakaway and was able to convert on Danis to tie the game at 2-2 at 9:44 of the second period. And the Bears would score another shorthanded goal on another Michael Latta steal six minutes later with his tip and intercept on the right-wing boards allowing him to find veteran Derek Whitmore with the quick one-timer that gave Hershey the 3-2 lead.

But Adirondack would make it work with a pair of Brandons referring to Brandon Alderson with the tying goal in the third and Brandon Manning with the game-winner in overtime.

Zack FitzGerald had the first of what will certainly be many fights this year for the big tough guy when he dropped the gloves with Hershey's Joel Rechlicz just three minutes into the game. Phantoms rookie Derek Mathers also exchanged punched with Rechlicz.

Ben Holmstrom's return to action marked his 182nd career game with the Adirondack Phantoms tying him for second most all-time with Jon Kalinski. His is three away from the all-time record of 185 currently held by Kevin Marshall. If Holmstrom plays every game he will break the record on Friday, October 18 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Phantoms outshot the Bears 30-28. Adirondack was 1-for-3 on the power play and Hershey was 0-for-5.

The game was the first of six between the Phantoms and Bears this season. Hershey travels to Glens Falls on January 3. The Phantoms do not return to ChocolateTown until March 15 and then their final visit to Giant Center will mark the end of the regular season on April 19.

The Phantoms will now carry their perfect record for the next full week of practice before returning to action for their next game on Friday at the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Phantoms will have their Opening Night in Glens Falls on Saturday, October 12 against Hartford, AHL affiliates of the New York Rangers. Tickets for the Opening Night game are selling well and are going fast. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets ahead of time by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 5, 2013


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