Phantoms Nipped In Norfolk

October 3, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


NORFOLK, VA-Despite a quick start, the Philadelphia Phantoms previously unblemished preseason record took a hit with a 4-3 loss to the Norfolk Admirals. The home team rattled off four unanswered goals to put the Phantoms exhibition mark at 3-1.

With fans barely a sip into their beverages, Michael Ratchuk snapped a puck he found in the left wing face-off circle into the net. Sent from behind the Norfolk cage by Nate Raduns, it found a home high to the stickside of Norfolk goalie Riku Helenius only 33 seconds into the game.

Just over three minutes later, Boyd Kane capitalized on the first power play chance of the match to make it 2-0. Tiptoeing his way through the crease, he swept a short backhander into the cage. Claude Giroux, recently dispatched to the Spectrumites by the Flyers, garnered an assist along with Patrick Maroon.

Ticks after Philadelphia's second power play had expired, the Ads found the scoreboard. Luciano Aquino was sprung from the penalty box on a breakaway and beat Phantoms goaltender Scott Munroe to the glove side. Then, while on a 5-on-3 power play, Brandon Bochenski blasted the equalizer through Munroe from the left wing dot.

Justin Fletcher gave the Admirals the lead on the only goal of the second period. Advancing into the Phantoms zone on the left wing side, Fletcher slapped a shot at Munroe that changed direction. An outstretched defenseman's stick altered the flight plan of the puck that sailed by the lunging glove of Munroe.

Brandon Segal made it 4-2 with a bad angle wrister from the right wall at 8:03 of the third. The lone goal surrendered by reliever Jeremy Duchesne would prove to be the difference as with just 1:09 remaining Jonathan Matsumoto tipped in a blueline shot from the stick of Jason DeSantis.

Munroe finished the game with 18 saves in 40 minutes of action. Duchesne stopped 13, including a penalty shot attempt from Radek Smolenak with 4:14 to go. Helenius went the distance for Norfolk and finished with 29 saves.

The same two teams will square off tomorrow night at 7:15 again at the Norfolk Scope. They then return to Philadelphia to take on their parent club the Philadelphia Flyers on October 7 in the Wachovia Spectrum.

The Phantoms open the 2008-09 regular season on Friday, October 10 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Wachovia Spectrum in the last Opening Night ever for the historic building. Tickets are on sale now at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.

The best way for fans to secure a ticket for the final game on April 12, 2009 is to purchase either a game plan package or season tickets. Packages are available now in convenient blocks of 6, 10, 16, 20 and 40 games. Receiving an impressive list of exclusive benefits, discount prices and the same seat for each game begins at just $60!

For more information or to make a deposit, call the Phantoms at 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at Phantomshockey.com



American Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2008


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