Matsumoto's Goal With 19 Seconds Left Gives Phantoms 3-2 Win

Published on January 24, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Jonathan Matsumoto scored from the left circle with 19 seconds left in regulation to give the Philadelphia Phantoms a 3-2 win over the Lake Erie Monsters before a crowd of 8,278 at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday night. With the win, the Phantoms jumped in front of the Binghamton Senators for fourth place in the AHL's East Division and now sit just two points out of second place.

The Phantoms took a 1-0 lead just 25 seconds into the game when Rob Sirianni, camped out to the right of and behind the net, centered a pass to David Laliberte. Laliberte beat Lake Erie goaltender Jason Bacashishua for the early 1-0 advantage.

There was no further scoring until the second period, when Lake Erie tied the game on a goal by Bryan Marshall 5:34 into the period. A puck was throw on net from the left side that Scott Munroe stopped, but Marshall was there on the right side to bang home the rebound and make it 1-1.

The Monsters then jumped ahead with 7:57 left in the second. Chris Durno carried a puck down the left wing and threw it in front, where Philippe Dupuis was able to reach it and deflect it high over Munroe. That gave Lake Erie a 2-1 lead at the second intermission.

But the Phantoms charged back in the third. First it was Patrick Maroon finding the equalizer with 9:30 to play. Several players were poking at the puck at the right side of the net when it suddenly escaped the jam towards the left of the net. Maroon swooped in and pushed it past Bacashishua's pad, knotting the game at 2-2.

That set the stage for Matusmoto's heroics. Sirianni dug a puck out of the left corner and tossed it into the circle to Matsumoto, who immediately threw it on net and beat Bacashishua up high. The Phantoms withstood a late delay-of-game penalty to get the win.

Munroe stopped 30 of 32 Lake Erie shots to take the win, while Bacashishua made 20 stops on 23 Phantoms bids in absorbing the loss. Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play.

The Phantoms have now won six of their last seven heading into the AHL All-Star break. They are next in action on Saturday, January 31 when they host the Albany River Rats at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Update On Klotz: Garrett Klotz was released from Pennsylvania Hospital today after undergoing extensive testing. Klotz suffered multiple facial lacerations and went into a seizure as a result of a first-period fight in last night's game against Manchester. He received stitches to close a cut but is otherwise feeling no ill effects from the incident. He will receive a follow-up evaluation from team doctors on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery.

Comcast-Spectacor and the Phantoms are now offering an amazing $10 adult ticket price for all remaining home games for the Phantoms final season at the Wachovia Spectrum, while all tickets for kids 14 and under are now $5. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at Phantomshockey.com, or via ComcastTIX at 1-800-298-4200.

For more information on Phantoms tickets and packages, please call 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

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American Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2009


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