Phantoms Open Big Road-Trip

Published on February 10, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms opened a big stretch of road-games in which they will play seven of eight as well as nine of their next 11 away from home. Heading to Norfolk, Virginia, the defense and goaltending stepped up to the task limiting the high-flying Norfolk Admirals to only one goal in the first 58 minutes of the game. But the Adirondack offense was unable to break Dustin Tokarski despite several close calls and took a 2-0 loss on Friday night at Scope Arena.

Philip-Michael Devos would be the only shooter to beat either team's goaltenders as Michael Leighton and Tokarski in a classic goaltenders' duel when he lit the lamp early in the second period. Pierre-Cedric Lebrie scored an empty-netter with 1:22 remaining to seal the win.

Norfolk outshot Adirondack on the night 28-17 for one of the few times in the past several weeks in which the Phantoms have been outshot. Adirondack had outshot their opponents in 13 of their last 14 games going into the contest but on this night, the Norfolk defenders were able to deflect enough shots. And the Adirondack forwards found themselves seemingly snake-bit on a couple of big opportunities where they missed the net.

Mike Testwuide had a rebound try from close range in which he backhanded a puck on its edge just over the cross-bar. Tye McGinn couldn't quite find the handle on a cross-ice feed on one of Adirondack's odd-man rushes. Eric Wellwood had a couple of close-calls. And so it went for Adirondack in a tough loss against a good Norfolk Admirals team.

Devos scored early in the second period to give the Admirals the initial 1-0 lead on a cross-ice feed by Cory Conacher. Michael Leighton would make several terrific saves on some Admirals drives and also benefited from a couple of Norfolk shots that got past him that found the iron and stayed out.

It was the second straight goaltenders duel for Leighton in Norfolk where he used to star for the Phantoms from 2001-05. His last game here was December 3 and he was the one who carried a 1-0 lead for most of the game, but Norfolk was able to rally late for a hard-fought 2-1 win in that one.

Referee Jeff Smith let the teams decide the outcome. While tempers were flaring and a few shoving matches developed, Smith only called one penalty against each side and they were offsetting minors early in the third. Neither team was given a power play opportunity in the contest.

Garrett Klotz returned to action for the first time in almost two months and dealt out some of the best hits of the night and started doing so right him his first shift. Harry Zolnierczyk also returned to the lineup for the Phantoms after being loaned from the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the week. "Harry Z" has played in 14 games with Adirondack and 36 games with Philadelphia this year but six of his nine total goals have scored with the Phantoms.

Brad Phillips was called up from Trenton (ECHL) to serve as the backup goalie to Leighton while Jason Bacashihua remained with the Philadelphia Flyers as Ilya Brysgalov recovers from the flu.

Adirondack is now 2-2-1 against Norfolk this year. And their last game in southeast Virginia will take place on Saturday night at Scope Arena at 7:!5. This three game road-trip concludes with a Tuesday night Valentine's encounter at the Toronto Marlies and then Adirondack's next home game is Friday night against Manchester in a key Eastern Conference matchup on a $2 draft-beer special night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2012


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