Phantoms Conclude Preseason Schedule
September 29, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
Michael Raffl excelled in his first opportunity to wear a Phantoms jersey. The Austrian scored both goals for Adirondack on the road as the Phantoms dropped their preseason finale to the Utica Comets 4-2. Raffl teamed up with fellow European Petr Straka on the goals. Straka (not related to the former NHL player o the same) from the Czech republic recorded both assists.
32 year old veteran goalie Yann Danis played the entire game for Adirondack. Joe Cannata received the victory for Utica also going the distance.
The affiliates of the Vancouver Canucks received a pair of goals from center Alex Friessen who gave the Utica Comets a 2-0 lead in the first period that they would never relinquish.
The game, played at teeny Kennedy Arena in Rome NY with a seating capacity under 1,000, was the official central New York debut for the AHL's newest team. The Comets' home arena at the Memorial Auditorium is undergoing renovations in preparation for their first home game on October 23. The Comets are first AHL team for the city of Utica in 20 years since hosting the Utica Devils from 1987-1993.
After an iffy start in the first period, the Phantoms took charge in the second to narrow a 2-0 deficit down to 3-2. That 3-2 score would remain almost until the very end of the game. The Comets scored an empty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining for the 4-2 final.
Friessen received a long stretch pass from the Comets' zone and split the Phantoms defense to convert on a breakaway goal 2:29 into the game for the initial lead. Later in the period he would corral a point-shot rebound and slide it home from between the circles.
Raffl put Adirondack on the board just 23 seconds into the second period after Straka intercepted the puck in the left-wing corner. He found Raffl wide-open in front who was able to maneuver around the goalie to slip the puck past his left skate.
Kurtis Bartiff extended Utica's lead back up to two goals at 3-1 when he secured the rebound of his own attempt up the left-wing and turned it into a wrap-around goal on the other side of Danis.
Three minutes later it would be Straka speeding up the right-wing for the Phantoms with a shot off Canata that would be rebound to Raffl in the left circle who converted on his second goal of the period.
The Phantoms outshot Utica 13-4 in the second period and went long stretches without allowing the Comets any sustained entry into the attacking zone.
The 3-2 score remained until the very end when Colin Stuart's push from the red-line would find the empty-net for the 4-2 final.
Adirondack outshot the Comets 28-25. The Phantoms were 0-for-3 on the power play. Utica went 0-for-2.
The Phantoms and Comets will meet four times in the regular season beginning with a December 7 matchup in Glens Falls.
Adirondack's training camp roster officially remains at 35 players thus head coach Terry Murray has plenty of decisions upcoming before he submits the team's regular season opening roster on Thursday. The Phantoms begin the regular season next Saturday at the Hershey Bears. Adirondack's home opener for the 25th season of the AHL in Glens Falls takes place in less than two weeks. The Phantoms will host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday, October 12 on Opening Night and Magnet Schedule Giveaway Night presented by Great Meadow Federal Credit Union. Call the Phantoms for tickets at 518-480-3355.
American Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2013
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- Penguins Defeat Bears in Pre-Season Finale - Hershey Bears
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- Kings, Monarchs Announce Player Transactions - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms Conclude Preseason Schedule - Adirondack Phantoms
- Pirri, Morin and Raanta Assigned to Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
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- Late Goal Downs Pack - Hartford Wolf Pack
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- Beach Heads to Sweden - Rockford IceHogs
- Beck, Piskula, Mazanec Assigned to Admirals - Milwaukee Admirals
- Dallas Stars Assign Three Players to Texas Stars; Gazdic Claimed by Oilers - Texas Stars
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- Flames Acquire Centre Joe Colborne from Toronto - Abbotsford Heat
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