Phantoms Pick Up Point In 3-2 Loss To Norfolk

Published on December 20, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phantoms made a valiant effort to extend their seven-game winning streak, coming from behind to tie the game twice, but fell just short in a 3-2 shootout setback to the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. Norfolk goaltender Karri Ramo turned aside all four Phantoms shooters in the shootout to anchor the win. Despite the loss, the Phantoms now have points in eight consecutive games and head into the holiday break one point behind second-place Bridgeport in the East Division.

The two teams battled hard early in the first, deadlocked in a scoreless tie. After a number of quality chances for the Phantoms, Norfolk drew first blood just six seconds into their first power play of the game. Brandon Segal found Radek Smolenak wide open in front and Smolenak banged the centering pass home past Scott Munroe for his 12th goal of the year, the only tally in the first period.

The second period opened with concurrent minor penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct issued to Phantoms winger Jeff Szwez and Norfolk's Vladimir Mihalik. Immediately after being released from the penalty box, the two dropped the gloves in a fight that saw Szwez deliver a decisive knockout punch that sent the 6'7" Mihalik down hard to the ice, much to the delight of the crowd.

Riding the wave of momentum provided by Szwez, the Phantoms produced a flurry of second period chances. Midway through the period, Danny Syvret missed by inches when he rang a laser off of the post, and moments later, it appeared the Phantoms finally got on the board. Jared Ross fired a wrist shot that Ramo couldn't quite snag with his glove hand and the rebound was poked through his legs and just over the line. However, the goal was waved off because the whistle had blown before the puck entered the net.

The Phantoms finally struck nearly 13 minutes into the second period during a goal-mouth scramble. Ramo stopped Nate Guenin's original shot from the left side, but the rebound bounced to Ross, who was camped out to the right of Ramo. Ross got to the puck and put it into the wide-open net to make it 1-1 at 12:48 of the frame.

Later in the second, the Admirals regained their lead. Former Phantom Steve Downie found Jason Ward in the slot with a pass from behind the net, and Ward fired the puck over Munroe's glove to put the Admirals up 2-1.

The Phantoms mounted a frantic comeback attempt in the third, outshooting Norfolk 15-5 in the period. Ramo stood strong for the Admirals, making a number of crucial stops, including a flashy glove save on Michael Ratchuk from the left point. But with just under six minutes left in the third, Claude Giroux knotted the game at two with a one timer off of a crucial faceoff win by Ross.

After a scoreless overtime, the clubs headed to a shootout. Brandon Bochenski and Chris Gratton scored for the Admirals to provide the offense for Ramo's perfect finish.

Munroe, who dressed as the backup goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers during their 7-1 matinee victory over the Washington Capitals, finished the evening with 33 saves on 25 shots, while Ramo stopped 30 of 32.

The Phantoms host the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins next Friday at the Wachovia Spectrum on Awful Gift Night. The puck drops at 7:05, and fans are asked to bring any unwanted holiday gifts to the stadium for donation charity. In addition, the first 3,000 fans 14 and under will receive a 2008-09 Phantoms trading card set. Tickets for that game, as well as all 2008-09 regular season games, are available by calling 1-800-298-4200 or visiting phantomshockey.com.

The best way for fans to secure a ticket for the final regular season game at the Wachovia Spectrum 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, and 20 games, as well as pro-rated full season tickets for all remaining home games. All packages receive an impressive list of exclusive benefits, discount prices and the same seat for each game, beginning 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 the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

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American Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2008


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