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Phantoms lose 4-2 to Binghamton

October 10, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10, 2003) -Denis Hamel scored twice and added an assist to lead the Binghamton Senators to a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phantoms tonight at the Wachovia Spectrum in the season opener for both teams.

Philadelphia received goals from B.J. Abel and Peter White, but came up short for just the second time in eight season openers. Neil Little stopped 19-of-22 shots he faced to suffer the loss.

"I think we had a good effort from everybody, we deserved better," commented Little. "I think we should have won this game. I could have come up with a couple more stops. In the same regard, we came up with a good effort and we should be good this year."

Ray Emery recorded 23 saves for Binghamton, which was meeting Philadelphia for the first time. The Senators entered the AHL as an expansion team last season but did not have the Phantoms on their schedule.

Following a scoreless first period, the Phantoms opened the scoring on Abel's first career goal as a pro at 3:04 of the second. Ben Stafford and John Slaney received assists on the play as Abel squirted the puck past the goal line during a scramble in front of the net.

"I was pretty excited, I'm surprised to get the first one this early," said Abel about his goal. "But we lost the game and should have had a couple more."

Daniel Corso evened the score just under two minutes later after a long Phantoms possession in the Binghamton zone. Alexandre Giroux led a 2-on-2 break, dashing down the far side before offering a centering pass to Corso, who one-timed it past Little in stride.

Hamel gave the Senators their first lead during a 4-on-4 situation with 10:53 to go in the middle period. Petr Smrek and Corso set up the long drive from beyond the near circle. But the Phantoms drew even at 2-2 at the 13:15 mark when White tapped in a cross from captain Boyd Kane. Kirby Law also got an assist on the play.

Brooks Laich netted the game-winning goal with 3:24 to go in the second stanza as Philadelphia's Ian MacNeil served a tripping minor. Brian McGrattan and Giroux helped set up the goal.

Hamel's empty-net goal with just under 10 seconds remaining in the game capped the scoring.

"I think we created a lot," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "We outchanced them. We just have to bear down and capitalize on them. We have to give them credit. They came in here and played a good road game. They capitalized on their opportunities and got two points."

The Phantoms continue opening weekend on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Bridgeport before returning home to take on the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

Phantoms Notes: Philadelphia also fell to 5-2-1 in home openers ... Philadelphia is now 1-2-1 all-time on Oct. 10 ... White pulled even with former captain Mark Greig for first on the Phantoms' all-time goals list with 140.



American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2003


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