Matsumoto's Late Goal Lifts Adirondack To 3-2 win

Published on January 15, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


NORFOLK, VA - All-Star Jon Matusmoto had an assist and the game-winning goal and goaltender Johan Backlund made 35 saves to win his sixth consecutive start as the Adirondack Phantoms beat the Norfolk Admirals 3-2 Friday night at the Norfolk Scope Arena.

Playing their first game in Virginia this season, the Phantoms came out with great energy and immediately put the Admirals on their heels. Starting goaltender Jaroslav Janus robbed Andreas Nodl of a fantastic chance to give the visitors the early lead when he tipped Nodl's shot wide with his catching glove at full stretch. Surprisingly, it was an Adirondack power play that turned the momentum in Norfolk's favor as the home team killed off the penalty. The Admirals carried the play for the next few minutes, gaining a power play of their own when Jon Kalinski's clearing attempt went straight into the seats and he was called for the automatic delay of game penalty. Admirals defenseman Ty Wishart made the Phantoms pay as he scored on a shot from the blue line that eluded a screened Johan Backlund at 9:23. Adirondack answered back with a power play goal of their own at 13:54 when Krys Kolanos scored for the second straight game, his eighth of the season, assisted by Nodl and Jon Matsumoto.

Janus continued his strong play in the second period, but his counterpart Backlund answered with a series of stunning saves at the other end. Janus denied a Rob Bellamy breakaway at one end and minutes later Backlund used his glove to thwart Juraj Simek from close range. The Phantoms fourth line provided the go-ahead goal at the mid-point of the second frame. Matt Clackson cleared the zone to Garrett Klotz, who then raced down the ice, skated wide to his right and centered a perfect backhand pass to Josh Beaulieu. Beaulieu took the pass in stride and tipped the puck over Janus' glove and into the roof of the net for his second goal of the year at 10:20, putting the Phantoms ahead 2-1. Before the period ended, Backlund came up with the save of the game, as he stopped Radek Smolenak's diving shot with his right pad, then stretched to his right and used the back side of his stick to parry Mitch Fadden's rebound shot out of mid-air.

The Admirals kept fighting in the third period and rallied to square the game at 2-2 at 11:16 when Wishart knocked in a rebound for his second goal of the night. The Phantoms regained the lead in controversial fashion as Janus made a save on a Kolanos shot and looked to have it underneath his pads, but the referee never blew the whistle and as the Norfolk goaltender leaned to one side, Matsumoto pounced on the puck and shot it into the net at 17:05; his 17th goal of the year. The fans erupted in boos, but the goal stood. Moments later a similar situation occurred in the Adirondack goal mouth as Backlund made a save and then in the ensuing scrum the puck was pushed into the back of the net, but referee David Banfield immediately waved it off, ruling that the whistle had already blown. The Admirals players, coaches and fans were irate, but the decision stood and Adirondack escaped with the 3-2 win.

Johan Backlund turned in another outstanding performance, stopping 35-of-37 shots to record his sixth-straight victory and his 12th win of the year, helping Adirondack improve to 19-18-2-0. Rookie Jaroslav Janus was fantastic in goal for Norfolk, finishing with 26 saves on 29 shots, but took the loss as the Admirals dropped to 17-22-2-0. Norfolk out-shot the Phantoms 37-29 in the game and went 1-for-5 on the power play; Adirondack was 1-for-4 with the man-advantage.

The Phantoms and Admirals will complete their two-game weekend series at 7:15 pm on Saturday, January 16th, at the Norfolk Scope. Adirondack's next home game is Round Eight of the Time Warner Cable Cup series with the Albany River Rats on Saturday, January 23rd at 7:00 pm at the Civic Center.

There is no better way to watch Phantoms Hockey than by sharing it with a group of your family and friends. Bring a group of 15 or more people to the Glens Falls Civic Center and qualify for incredible discounted ticket prices off the regular box office rates. For more information about group tickets, contact the Phantoms at 518-480-3355 or visit www.phantomshockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2010


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