Phantoms Move Into First Place With 3-2 Win

Published on October 23, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


GLENS FALLS, NY - David Laliberte had a goal and two assists and Jon Matsumoto added a goal and one assist to lead the Adirondack Phantoms to a 3-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night in front of 4,062 fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

It did not take long for the Phantoms to grab an early lead. David Laliberte cashed in with his first goal of the season just 1:20 into the game, set up by Patrick Maroon and Jon Matsumoto. But the Wolf Pack responded four minutes later as they used their strong power play to tie the game. Corey Locke made a beautiful cross-ice pass to set up Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau at the far post for a one-timer at 5:27 to level the score at 1-1.

Adirondack pulled back in front early in the second period when Laliberte sent Matsumoto free on a breakaway and he did not disappoint, snapping a wrist shot over the glove of Hartford goalie Chad Johnson at 2:36. Oskars Bartulis gave Adirondack a two-goal lead as he blasted in a power play goal from the blue line at 11:13, assisted by Marc-Andre Bourdon and Laliberte. However, Hartford's second power play goal of the game brought the Wolf Pack back to within a goal at 13:14. Dane Byers collected the rebound off an Ilkka Heikkinen shot and stuffed it into the net before Phantoms goaltender Johan Backlund could recover to make it 3-2.

In the third period the Wolf Pack turned on the pressure as they tried to find the equalizer. Hartford out-shot Adirondack 11-5 in the final frame, but Backlund and the Phantoms defended well and held on for their second straight victory.

Johan Backlund earned his third win of the season as he stopped 26-of-28 shots to lift Adirondack to 4-2-1-0 on the year. Chad Johnson finished with 24 saves on 27 shots as Hartford dropped to 2-5-0-0 this season. The Wolf Pack out-shot the Phantoms 28-27 in the game and went 2-for-6 on the power play, while Adirondack was 1-for-5 with the man-advantage.

The Phantoms are currently on a four-game point streak (3-0-1-0) as they travel down the Northway on Saturday night for Round 2 of the Time Warner Cable Cup series with Albany as they battle the River Rats at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center.

The Time Warner Cable Cup Four-Pack is now on sale at the Phantoms office, starting as low as $56. 2009-10 Phantoms full and partial season ticket packages are still available for the 2009-10 season presented by Bud Light. For more information please contact the Adirondack Phantoms at (518) 480-3355 or online at www.phantomshockey.com .

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American Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2009


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