Phantoms Grind Out 4-3 Comeback Win Over Worcester
Published on December 19, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
WORCESTER, MA - Stefan Legein had a goal and an assist and captain Jared Ross scored the game-winning goal in the third period as the Adirondack Phantoms erased a two-goal deficit to beat the Worcester Sharks 4-3 Saturday night at the DCU Center.
Playing in their last game before the holiday break, the Phantoms grabbed an early lead from an unlikely source. Defenseman Sean Curry scored his first goal of the season at 2:56, assisted by Jon Matsumoto, as his wrist shot from the blue line beat goaltender Alex Stalock and gave Adirondack a 1-0 lead. For the second straight game the Phantoms failed to capitalize on a two-man advantage and soon after saw their lead dissolve. Joe McCarthy tied the game at 6:53 and he put home a rebound from a Benn Ferriero shot that kicked off the leg pads of goalie Johan Backlund. Less than three minutes later the Sharks nosed in front when Brandon Mashinter collected another rebound, held off a Phantoms defender and lifted a backhander up over Backlund at 9:44. Worcester out-shot Adirondack 15-8 in the first period and each team was 0-for-2 on the power play.
Sharks captain Ryan Vesce tallied the third straight Worcester goal at 12:40 of the second period, which gave the home side a 3-1 lead. But Adirondack struck right back at 14:25 when Jonathon Kalinski made it 3-2. Phantoms winger Josh Beaulieu unleashed a slap shot from the left wing and the rebound kicked off the pads of Stalock into the slot where Kalinski slammed his one-timer into the far side of the net for his second goal of the year.
Kalinski's goal seemed to give Adirondack hope as they carried momentum into the third period. 5:35 into the final frame, veteran defenseman Joey Mormina demonstrated his experience by making a clever interception at the red line, skating down the left wing of the offensive zone and firing a low shot that kicked off the pads of Stalock right to the driving Stefan Legein. Adirondack's leading goal-scorer one-timed the rebound into open net to tie the game; it was his 14th goal of the year. Three minutes later it was the captain's turn to answer the bell as Jared Ross fired a shot from the right side that beat Stalock to the far post under his blocker at 8:52, assisted by Legein and Patrick Maroon. It was Ross' third goal of the season and it proved to be the eventual game-winner. Worcester surged in efforts to tie the game, but the Phantoms killed off a late penalty and then held strong as the Sharks pulled their goalie for the final minute.
Johan Backlund recorded his seventh win of the season by making a season-high 36 saves on 39 shots as Adirondack improved to 13-13-2-0 on the year. Alex Stalock took the loss, while stopping 24-of-28 shots as Worcester fell to 16-12-0-2. The Sharks out-shot the Phantoms 39-28 in the game and went 0-for-6 on the power play; Adirondack was 0-for-3 with the man-advantage.
Adirondack now heads into the Christmas Break, returning to the ice on Saturday, December 26th as they travel to New York's Southern Tier to face the Binghamton Senators at 7:05 pm at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The Phantoms next home game is at 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 31st at the Glens Falls Civic Center as they host the Albany River Rats for another Time Warner Cable Cup battle.
In the spirit of the 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 Sunday, December 20th, so get your Adirondack Phantoms Merchandise today. The Phantoms Online Store can be found at http://shopphantomshockey.com.
American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2009
- Fifth in a row comes 4-3 over Abbotsford - Peoria Rivermen
- Redemption: Sens Take Game Two In Norfolk 5-4 - Binghamton Senators
- Rivermen Sink Heat - Abbotsford Heat
- San Antonio Sends Hogs Into Break With Loss - Rockford IceHogs
- Rampage Corral Icehogs In 2-1 Victory - San Antonio Rampage
- Falcons Earn Point In Overtime Loss - Springfield Falcons
- Texas Hits Holiday Break Leading the AHL's West Division - Texas Stars
- Wolves Head Into Holiday Break With 4-2 Win Over Milwaukee - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Drop Heartbreaker to Senators at Scope - Norfolk Admirals
- Bulldogs defeat Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- Monsters Shock Moose, 3-2 - Manitoba Moose
- Crunch Skid Hits Four - Syracuse Crunch
- Bernier Gift Wraps Shutout - Manchester Monarchs
- Griffins Take 4-2 Win in Texas - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Pirates Rally To Top Sound Tigers, 4-3 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Albany Scores Two In The Third To Deny Crunch's Comeback Bid - Albany River Rats
- Phantoms Grind Out 4-3 Comeback Win Over Worcester - Adirondack Phantoms
- Amerks Fall To Bears Despite Late Comeback - Rochester Americans
- Sharks Sunk by Phantoms, 4-3 - Worcester Sharks
- Bulldogs Tame Wolf Pack With 4-1 Win - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Stars Recall Ludwig From Boise - Texas Stars
- Ennis Powers Pirates To Victory - Portland Pirates
- P-Bruins Defeat Falcons 3-2 - Providence Bruins
- Marlies Recall Stefano Giliati And Joey Ryan From Reading - Toronto Marlies
- Crunch Return Goaltender Dan Taylor - Syracuse Crunch
- Rheaume, Mori Released From Tryouts - Manchester Monarchs
- Panthers Recall Defenseman Keaton Ellerby - Rochester Americans
- Canucks Re-Assign Michael Grabner To Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Game Time Versus Providence Changed To 7:05pm - Albany Devils
- P-Bruins Change Sunday's Game Time To 7:05pm - Providence Bruins
- Rampage Toss The Griffins In 4-2 Victory On Friday - San Antonio Rampage
- Texas Stars Exact Revenge in 5-2 Win Over Houston Aeros - Houston Aeros
- Two Late Second Period Goals Lift IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
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