Penguin Surge

Published on March 11, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scored four times in the first period and rode that momentum to an 8-5 win over the Philadelphia Phantoms on Wednesday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. The loss, coupled with a Binghamton win in Worcester, puts the Phantoms 10 points back of the Senators in the East Division playoff race.

The Phantoms struck first just 1:11 into the contest on a power-play goal by David Laliberte, who tapped in a shot from the right side that rolled out to the left where he was stationed. It gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.

But that would be short-lived, as the Penguins scored on their first three shots against Phantoms starter Scott Munroe. The first came from Mark Letestu off a left-circle wrister 40 seconds later, and the second came when Paul Bissonette put home his own rebound at 3:02. The third came on a Nick Johnson shot from the left circle at 5:39 and ended Munroe's evening in favor of Jean-Sebastien Aubin.

Chris Minard finished off the first-period scoring with a power play goal at 17:16, and started the second-period scoring with another man-up marker 52 seconds into the second period. Then Johnson made it a 6-1 game with a slapshot 5:38 into the frame.

For a time, the Phantoms looked as if they might mount a comeback. It started when Boyd Kane stemmed the tide with 4:18 to go in the second when he converted on a power play. It was the first of three consecutive goals for the Phantoms, who added goals from Danny Syvret 4:57 into the third period and from Laliberte less than two minutes later, which made it a 6-4 contest.

But the Penguins posted two more power play goals, from Jeff Taffe at 8:46 and from Pesonen at 11:09, to quell Philadelphia's uprising. Kane closed out the scoring with one final power play goal with 3:30 to play.

Both teams went 4-for-9 on the power play. Several Phantoms had multiple-point games - Kane led the way with two goals and an assist, Laliberte posted two goals, Aubin was saddled with the loss in relief, denying 29 of 34 shots faced. John Curry took the win for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 18 saves on 23 shots.

After a quick trip to Albany for a game on Saturday, the Phantoms return to the Wachovia Spectrum on Sunday to host the Norfolk Admirals at 5:05. There are just nine games remaining at the historic Wachovia Spectrum.

Comcast-Spectacor and the Phantoms are now offering an amazing $10 adult ticket price for all remaining home games for the Phantoms final season at the Wachovia Spectrum, while all tickets for kids 14 and under are now $5. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at Phantomshockey.com, or via ComcastTIX at 1-800-298-4200.

For more information on Phantoms tickets and packages, please call 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

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American Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2009


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