Munroe, Phantoms Return The Favor In Game Two

Published on April 18, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Philadelphia Phantoms even the series at one game each with a 3-0 shutout of the Albany River Rats in Game 2 of the East Division Semifinals Friday night at the Wachovia Center.

The two teams came out on the NHL sheet and picked up their intense rivalry right where they left off at the end of Game 1. Albany failed to convert on an early power play, but then killed off two Philadelphia power plays to keep the scored knotted at zero. The River Rats almost got on the board right at the end of the period when Jerome Samson managed a desperation spin-around shot from the slot, forcing Munroe to make his best save of the period just before the horn sounded.

The Phantoms caught a break in the second period when River Rats forward Kiel McLeod was given a five-minute off the five full minutes, and they managed to erase the first three minutes of the penalty before the Phantoms cashed in. Jared Ross, Philadelphia's regular season scoring leader, skated down the left wing and blasted a slap shot from the left circle that beat goaltender Michael Leighton for a 1-0 Phantoms lead at 13:27. Ross' goal was the team's first of the playoffs and in snapped Leighton's shutout streak at 93:27 seconds in the series. Albany got through the rest of the major penalty unscathed, but in the closing seconds of the frame, a bad turnover in front of the River Rats crease proved costly. Defenseman Bryan Rodney had his pocket picked by Pete Zingoni, a healthy scratch in Game 1. Zingoni shot the puck immediately, catching Leighton off guard and making it 2-0 Philadelphia at 19:47.

Albany looked to get back into the game in the third period, but the Phantoms limited the River Rats to just seven shots on goal and kept Albany from building any momentum. The Rats pulled Leighton for the extra attacker with 90 seconds left in the game, but shortly thereafter Phantoms captain Boyd Kane scored on the empty net to seal the Game 2 victory 3-0.

Scott Munroe stopped all 18 shots he faced to record the win and the shutout, helping Philadelphia to even the series at one-game apiece. Michael Leighton made 37 saves on 39 shots in goal for the River Rats, who lost their first game of the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs. Philadelphia 1-for-4 on the power play, while Albany was 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

The series continues with Game 3 on Sunday, April 20th at 5:05 pm at the Wachovia Center. The teams will return to Albany for Game 4 on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center. The River Rats final home game of the East Division Semifinals will take place on Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 pm for Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

River Rats playoff ticket packages and individual game tickets for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now, with special pricing available for children and seniors. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2008


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