Phantoms and Devils Rivalry Gains Momentum

Published on March 29, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Albany, NY - The Adirondack Phantoms and Albany Devils again got into a number of skirmishes as the two teams continued to show their distaste for each other. Albany struck early an often however en route to a 6-2 victory over their Time Warner Cable Cup rivals to the north.

Johan Backlund went the distance for the Phantoms in taking the loss. Two of the Phantoms newer players scored the goals as Matt Read picked up his second in just four games as a pro and Harry Zolnierczyk scored his third of the year in just 11 games.

Brad Mills notched a pair of goals for Albany in leading their six goal attack. It was the most goals the Phantoms had allowed since Joe Paterson's first game as a Head Coach at Binghamton on December 26.

The Albany victory gives the Devils a 6-4 lead in the Time Warner Cable Cup season series. The Phantoms would need to win the last two meetings of the year on Friday and next Wednesday to force the decision to tiebreakers.

Tom Sestito for Adirondack and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond continued to show their animosity. Leblond tried to spark a fight in the 2nd period with his counterpart but Sestito would not reciprocate and Leblond went to the box for four minutes on a pair of roughing minors and a ten minute misconduct. Later in the period, Sestito would get at Darcy Zajac of Albany with several connections leading to Sestito's game misconduct.

The rivalry seems to be picking up intensity with each and every meeting thus setting the stage for some potential fireworks Friday night in Glens Falls.

Albany had the early jump in the game with three quick goals in the opening five minutes. Ryan Ginand's second goal in just his second game being called up from the ECHL staked Albany to a 1-0 lead just 29 seconds in. Brad Mills chipped in a Ginand centering feed about four minutes in to make it 2-0.

It was at that point that Head Coach Joe Paterson called timeout to try to reorganize his troops. But Zolnierczyk got called for a high sticking infraction shortly upon the resumption of play and Adam Henrique would slam home his team leading 24th of the year on a cross-ice feed on the power play to make it 3-0.

Adirondack turned it on after that but Devils goalie Jeff Frazee made a number of fine saves to keep the Phantoms out of the net. That was until Zolnierczyk stole the puck away in the Devils zone and connected past the glove of Frazee with about three minutes left in the period to get the Phantoms on the board.

Less than two minutes into the second period Albany would strike again, this time on a Joe Sova power play slapshot from center-point for his first career pro goal.

The Phantoms got it back less than three minutes later to cut the margin to 4-2. Danny Syvret hit Zolnierczyk on a long stretch pass. While Zolnierczyk was being slashed and a delayed penalty was in effect he was able to make it a moot point by chipping home his breakaway attempt on the backhand past Frazee.

Albany would get another early period strike to begin the third period. On a 3-on-2 rush, Ryan Ginand's shot would be deflected in by Brad Mills for his second goal of the game just 25 seconds in the final frame pushing the Devils advantage to 5-2. Nathan Perkovich would chip upstairs a power play slapshot from the point by Urbom on a shot in which Backlund had no chance. That goal with 7:32 remaining would complete the scoring.

Adirondack outshot Albany 35-34. The Devils were boosted by their 3-for-5 performance on the power play while the Phantoms were 0-for-3. It was Adirondack's second straight loss following an impressive 5-2 stretch.

It was just the team's 12th regulation loss since December 17 which remains the lowest total in the East Division.

Adirondack will get their chance to avenge the setback fairly quickly as they have a rematch with Albany on Friday night in Glens Falls. The Pack the House Night special presented by Time Warner Cable features $10 tickets for adults and just $5 for kids.

The Friday night game opens the last homestand of the season for the Phantoms who also play at home on Saturday, Monday and next Wednesday. Adirondack has just seven games total remaining in the regular season which concludes Sunday, April 10 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Phantoms Notes: Scratches for the game included Andrew Rowe, Stefan Legein, Luke Pither and Zac Rinaldo as well as Matt Walker, Oliver Lauridsen and Logan Stephenson.

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, April 1, 7:30 p.m. - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms - Military Appreciation Night and Pack the House Night- Tickets: $10 for Adults and $5 for Kids courtesy of Time Warner Cable

Saturday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. - Syracuse Crunch at Adirondack Phantoms - Post-game auction live on the ice for the Phantoms special Time Warner Cable Cup Rivalry jerseys

Monday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. - Rochester Americans at Adirondack Phantoms

Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms - Fan Appreciation Night - Last home game of the year featuring many great giveaways including autographed Phantoms memorabilia.

Phantoms Season Tickets for 2011-12 are on sale now! Full season ticket holders get an Adirondack Phantoms stadium blanket while supplies last and also will be in the Phantoms mug club for $1 sodas and coffees in Heritage Hall all season long.

Join us at the Glens Falls Civic Center for exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey, the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Discount rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Save off the individual ticket price by asking the Phantoms about their great group rate packages and flex-packs.

Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects. Get your tickets at the Phantoms office inside the Glens Falls Civic Center, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2011


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