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Monarchs Squeak Past Phantoms

December 15, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Adirondack received more balance for their scoring as Mike Testwuide and Tyler Brown notched goals for a 2-1 lead into the third period. But the Manchester Monarchs rallied from behind and a long slapper from the point while goalie Cal Heeter was screened made the difference as the Phantoms fell in a 3-2 decision at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Saturday night.

Zac Rinaldo started off the night with his own special flair getting into a big fight with Richard Clune to fire up the team and the crowd. Rinaldo's bout in the opening minute of the game had all the fans talking. After landing several punches in a frantic flurry of fists he turned to the crowd and raised his arms twice to generate even more noise.

That early spark pushed the Phantoms onto an inspired first period with several quality chances on Monarchs' netminder Peter Mannino. Adirondack had the better of the play in the opening 20 minutes but the score still remained 0-0.

Head coach Terry Murray was especially pleased with his team's game and what they brought in the inspired contest. "I really like the way we played as far as the emotion, the energy," Murray said. "Rinaldo did an unbelievable job at the start of the game to set a tone. I felt we had a lot of good looks. The puck just isn't going in on any kind of a regular basis for us."

After Linden Vey's diving goal across the slot sliding it past Heeter's left skate gave Manchester the initial lead, Adirondack would turn it on even more.

Mike Testwuide's cannon from the left-wing on a nice dish by Jeff Dimmen evened matters at 1-1. It was only Testwuide's second goal of the season and came on a picture-perfect slapper over the glove of Mannino off the underside of the netting and quickly out. The blast was one of the team's best shots of the season.

"That was a great play. That was a great shot" Murray raved. "He took a look. He got a play from Dimmen, walks in, gets his head up, and picked the far corner. It was an NHL shot. He put a lot behind it and it was nice to see him get that kind of a look."

Testwuide got back out there on the power play late in the second period and initially appeared to have perhaps scored again on the rebound of a Danny Syvret slapshot. But Tyler Brown's stick was in there too and after video review it was determined that he had the poke on the power-play providing Adirondack with the 2-1 lead after two. Brown's goal was his second of the season.

"It's nice to see these guys step up," Murray said referring to the goal production from his hard-working forwards who scored the team's goals. "Testwuide in particular. He gets his opportunity and he came out there big-time tonight. Not only scoring but used his size, strength, moved the puck well, held onto the puck. I like what he gave us."

The Phantoms were still clinging to that one goal lead with less than 13 minutes remaining when Manchester would get their stronger surge to strike back. Linden Vey's slapper from the point was kicked out to Tanner Pearson to deposit the rebound. Pearson had a couple previous close-calls including a breakway earlier in the game.

With the score still tied 2-2, NHL'er Slava Voynov's right-point blast trickled through the left-arm of Cal Heeter who appeared to be screened on the shot by a teammate.

"Their second and their third goal, those are plays that are coming from almost as far away from the net as you would want," Murray said. "They're from the corners of the blue-line. I'd like to re-do those goals."

In spite of the end-result, Murray reiterated that this was the kind of game he wanted to see out of his team and that the positives far outweighed any negatives.

"But overall I really liked the buy-in by everybody," Murray said. "The emotion, the intensity, the work was tremendous. It was a good game. It was two teams that are pretty skilled and moved the puck well. And I thoght both goaltenders did a real good job. Unfortunately we ha that one breakdown at the end that gave them that winning goal."

Several kids stayed late after the game to play games on the ice and enjoy movies on the video-board on the annual Boy Scouts Night with the Phantoms. And the Haiti Relief Fund collected contributions outside in the lobby for their upcoming missions to help that area in need.

Erik Gustafsson missed the game after blocked a shot off his foot the night before. Marc-Andre Bourdon and Ben Holmstrom were both out of the lineup with injury while Garrett Roe and Zack FitzGerald were healthy scratches.

The Phantoms conclude their three-game homestand on Wednesday night against the St. John's IceCaps on Pucks and Paws Night when fans can bring their pets to the game. That is Adirondack's last home game before the holiday break. Next week, Adirondack travels to Syracuse and Bridgeport on Friday and Saturday.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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