Packed House Watches Hershey Down Phantoms 5-1

Published on November 27, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


GLENS FALLS, NY - Former Phantoms captain Boyd Kane scored twice and defenseman John Carlson had three assists as the Hershey Bears beat the Adirondack Phantoms 5-1 Friday night in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 5,148 at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Playing in front of their third sellout crowd of the season, the Phantoms clashed with the first place Bears in a dead-locked first period. Neither team could find the net, but the fans were very loud as the atmosphere raised towards a boiling point throughout the frame. Adirondack's best scoring chance in the first period came with Bears' defenseman Patrick McNeill fell down at the offensive blue line and recently called-up center Trent Daavettila, making his AHL debut, raced off on a breakaway, but was denied by goaltender Michal Neuvirth.

Hershey broke through first as Michael Dubuc scored at 1:16 of the second period, assisted by John Carlson and Andrew Joudrey, proving to be a major momentum lift for the visitors. Two and a half minutes later it was 2-0 Bears when Andrew Gordon directed a cross-ice pass from Keith Aucoin into the twine at 3:45. The Phantoms rallied, thanks to a great fight between Adirondack's Garrett Klotz and Hershey's Grant McNeill, which reenergized the throngs of Phantoms supporters. Krys Kolanos put Adirondack on the board just as a power play expired, wrapping the puck around the back of the net and stuffing it passed goaltender Michal Neuvirth at 14:42, assisted by Jason Ward and Sean Curry. The second major turning point of the period came less than two minutes later as Hershey responded just as Adirondack appeared poised to tie the game. Kyle Wilson put the Bears back up by two with a power play goal at 16:13, stifling the growing Phantoms momentum.

Adirondack again tried the rally in the third period, but Hershey responded every time the Phantoms attacked. Former Phantoms captain Boyd Kane put the Bears up 4-1 at 4:05 of the third as he took a pass from Carlson and, from his knees, redirected the puck in the net. Kane then added a shorthanded goal with 1:27 left in the game to cap off the 5-1 win.

Michael Neuvirth stopped 20-of-21 shots to get the win as Hershey improved to 14-6-0-1 on the year. Johan Backlund finished with 23 saves on 28 shots and took the loss as Adirondack dropped to 8-9-1-0 this season. The Bears out-shot the Phantoms 28-21 and went 1-for-3 on the power play; Adirondack was 0-for-7 with the man-advantage.

Adirondack will now travel to Hershey as they battle the Bears again on Saturday, November 28th; a 7:00 pm face off at the Giant Center. The Phantoms next home game at the Glens Falls Civic Center is another Time Warner Cable Cup showdown with the Albany River Rats on Saturday, December 5th at 7:00 pm.

In the spirit of Black Friday and the upcoming holiday shopping season the Phantoms are offering special free domestic ground shipping on all orders made at the Phantoms Online Team Shop. This special free shipping offer will expire on Monday, November 30th, so get your Adirondack Phantoms Merchandise today. The Phantoms Online Store can be found at http://shopphantomshockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2009


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