Phantoms Beat Albany 5-2
March 24, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phantoms employed a surging power play to beat the Albany River Rats 5-2 last night at the Wachovia Spectrum. Rookie Stefan Ruzicka bagged both man advantage goals as the Phantoms scored on the PP for the fifth straight game.
Tony Voce, the Phantoms leading power play goal getter coming into the contest, staked the Phantoms to a 1-0 lead. Just 1:35 in, the Philly native wristed the first professional shot on Albany goalie Josh Disher. The backstop extended his left arm and redirected the puck into his own net for Voce's 19th.
Ruzicka extended the lead at 10:46, as he tiptoed into the low slot and slid a backhander by Disher. Pat Kavanagh ended an eight game pointless streak with an assist, while John Slaney grabbed his team-high 37th helper.
Brent Kelly's 10th of the season made it 3-0 at 2:37 of the second. The River Rats made it interesting with two straight from Nicklas Bergfors. He sniped an unassisted 40-footer before the second period came to a close and then put his team within one 5:54 into the third.
Ruzicka, however, had the answer at 13:11. With the Phantoms operating on their fourth power play of the night, the rookie snuck a wrister from the left wing boards through Disher. For Ruzicka, it was his 10th power play goal of the season, tying him with Voce for the team lead.
Slaney completed the scoring set a little over a minute later, shoveling a 20-foot bid by the ill-fated rookie netminder.
The Phantoms finished the game with 44 shots on goal, while Martin Houle picked up the win after facing 32 shots on the other side of the rink.
I was happy with the effort, said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "Even though they got back, I never felt like the game was in jeopardy."
The Phantoms have a rare Saturday off, their first since Christmas Eve, and then return to the Spectrum for a Sunday 5:05 go with the Portland Pirates. The first 4,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive John Stevens bobbleheads courtesy of Comcast. As always, kids tickets for all Phantoms games are just $8.00. Purchase online at phantomshockey.com or to charge by phone, call (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000.
American Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2006
- Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Return Pardy To Las Vegas - Abbotsford Heat
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Just Two Games Left For Papa John's Family Four Pack - Abbotsford Heat
- Monsters prevail in shootout, 3-2 - Albany Devils
- Falcons Sign Kevin Croxton - Springfield Falcons
- Blunden Signed to ATO - Norfolk Admirals
- Pool of Sharks grows deeper - Worcester Sharks
- Fans ready to secure piece of Sharks territory - Worcester Sharks
- Atlanta Returns Abid to Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- San Antonio loses to Peoria - San Antonio Rampage
- Houston drops into second place - Houston Aeros
- Monarchs Shootout Victory Clinches Playoff Berth - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms Beat Albany 5-2 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Barons Skate Past Rochester, 4-3 - Cleveland Barons
- Admirals Hold Off Pirates' Rally - Norfolk Admirals
- Dubielewicz, Sound Tigers Earn Point In Manchester - Bridgeport Islanders
- Stars Wives and Girlfriends Team-Up - Iowa Chops
- Phantoms to Honor Phantoms Sunday - Adirondack Phantoms
- Rampage Game Day - San Antonio Rampage
- Graham heads to Checkers - Connecticut Whale
- Welch recalled, McLean returned to Wheeling - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Hamilton travels to Syracuse Saturday - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Bears and Penguins battle in pivotal game - Hershey Bears
- Lambert assigned to Long Beach - Hamilton Bulldogs
- B2 Networks AHL Game of the Week - AHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
