Overtime Loss Concludes Hall of Fame Night
Published on March 12, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
A special night at the Glens Falls Civic Center began with the inductions of three greats into the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame with Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose all honored in a pregame ceremony. But the night finished in disappointing fashion as former Philadelphia Phantom Kyle Greentree scored the overtime game-winner for a 3-2 Hershey Bears victory.
Mike Testwuide (10th) and Tom Sestito (12th) scored the goals for Adirondack and Michael Leighton made 26 saves on 28 shots in the defeat.
After a scoreless first period, Mike Testwuide picked up a rebound in the crease off a Michael Ryan shot from the point and was able to shove it past Bears goaltender Todd Ford to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead. It was Mike Testwuide's 10th goal of the season and his eighth since January 29. The play began with a nice step forward by Erik Gustafsson to pinch up along the wall and prevent the Bears from clearing the zone.
The Phantoms penalty kill would be tested in the middle frame as Hershey benefitted from two 5-on-3 power plays. The Phantoms would kill off the first Bears 5-on-3 early in the period but with 4 seconds remaining on Hershey's second 5-on-3 of the game, defenseman Brian Fahey (4th) from center point beat Phantoms netminder Michael Leighton blocker side to tie score at 1-1.
The game would remain tied at 1-1 until Bears forward Andrew Carroll scored his third goal of the season to give Hershey their first lead of the night at 2-1 at the 6:49 mark of the third. Carroll picked it off in the Phantoms zone and was all alone in front when he beat Leighton.
The Phantoms would have to come back with their top scorer after Denis Hamel was assessed a game misconduct for arguing with the referee in the third period.
Adirondack responded with the equalizer with under seven minutes remaining as Tom Sestito scored his first goal as an Adirondack Phantom cutting across the crease and backhanding one five-hole past Todd Ford to tie the score at 2-2. Eric Wellwood and Rob Bordson assisted on the play as Sestito picked up his 12th goal total on the season.
It was Sestito's second game with Adirondack. The 6'5" winger was acquired from Springfield when the Flyers organization traded Greg Moore to get him from the Columbus Blue Jackets system.
In overtime, Adirondack's Michael Ryan was called for goaltender interference on a collision behind the net with Ford. After a failed clearing attempt in the Phantoms zone, Brian Willsie picked up the loose puck and fed a cross-ice pass to Greentree on the backdoor in the right circle. His shot beat Leighton top shelf giving Hershey their 41st win of the season.
Adirondack went 0-for-5 on the power play while Hershey finished 2-for-9. Michael Leighton took the loss making 25 saves while counterpart Todd Ford stopped 19 to earn his seventh win of the season. The Phantoms moved to 1-4 in overtime games this year.
The end result put a damper on an otherwise terrific evening celebrating Adirondack hockey history on Hall of Fame Night. P.A. Announcer introduced the three inductees Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose and each received rousing ovations from the fans, many of whom have cheered for them back in their days with the Adirondack Red Wings, IceHawks and Frostbite. Congratulations to all three!
The Phantoms play the Bears once more this season on March 25 at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Adirondack returns home on Wednesday night as they host the Binghamton Senators for the final time this season at the Glens Falls Civic Center. After that they travel to Toronto for a Saturday afternoon encounter at the Marlies that begins a three game road-swing.
American Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2011
- Heat Sneak Past Penguins - Abbotsford Heat
- Griffins Battle Barons in Rematch, 5-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rampage Fall To Moose 7-2 - San Antonio Rampage
- Overtime Loss Concludes Hall of Fame Night - Adirondack Phantoms
- Whale beat Sharks - Connecticut Whale
- Crunch Down Rochester 3-2 for Fourth Straight Win - Syracuse Crunch
- Operation Appreciation: Complete - Manchester Monarchs
- Moose roll Rampage - Manitoba Moose
- Bailey scores first two goals of the season; Brust makes 31 saves in win - Charlotte Checkers
- Falcons Fall Short to Devils 2-1 - Springfield Falcons
- Whale Take 3rd from Sharks - Worcester Sharks
- Monarchs Blow Past Sound Tigers 7-0 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Pirates Squeeze Past Bruins - Portland Pirates
- P-Bruins Fall to Pirates 5-4 - Providence Bruins
- Caruso, Mills Lead Devils to 2-1 Victory - Albany Devils
- Bulldogs Dim Stars 3-2 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Hamilton Holds off Texas for 3-2 Win - Texas Stars
- Crunch to Host Bullseye Bonanza at the Beginning II March 14 - Syracuse Crunch
- Crunch Players to Sign Autographs and Copies of 'The Puck Hog' - Syracuse Crunch
- Sound Tigers Sign Alex Petizian to PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Game Preview - Texas at Hamilton - Texas Stars
- Sharks to Celebrity Bartend at the Perfect Game in Worcester Tuesday - Worcester Sharks
- Rochester Will Try to Change Fortunes Today in Syracuse - Rochester Americans
- Rivermen Return Last Second Heroics in Chicago - Peoria Rivermen
- Penguins March to 4-0 win over Heat - Abbotsford Heat
- Admirals Net Eight As They Oust B-Sens For Second Straight Game - Binghamton Senators
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