Phantoms rally for 3-2 win in Norfolk

Published on December 6, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 6, 2003) - Two unanswered third-period tallies rallied the Philadelphia Phantoms past the Norfolk Admirals, 3-2, tonight at the Scope. Ben Stafford's breakaway goal with 29 seconds remaining was the difference.

Kirby Law tied the game at 2-2 at 7:03 of the third period. Norfolk goaltender Steve Passmore lost his stick and was screened on the play as Law scored his team-leading 11th goal of the year. Kirk Furey and P.J. Stock got the helpers on the play.

As time ticked down in regulation, Stafford stole the puck at the Phantoms blue line and swooped in all alone on Passmore, putting it in the net for his fifth goal at the 19:31 mark. This is the second time Stafford's late-game heroics have won a game in Norfolk, as he scored the game-winner last Jan. 18 with five seconds left to give the Phantoms a 2-1 victory.

Neil Little stopped 20-of-22 shots for Philadelphia, which avenged a 2-0 home loss to the Admirals on Friday night. The Phantoms improved to 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and won their fourth in a row on the road.

Brandin Cote had both Admirals goals and Steve Passmore took the loss, making 14 saves.

After making his way from Dayton, Ohio this morning to join the team in Norfolk, Cherry Hill, N.J.'s James Laux scored his first AHL goal to make it 1-0 at 6:53 of the first period. Randy Jones and Mark Murphy worked it to the rookie defenseman along the boards, where he took a big shot that made its way through just under the crossbar. Laux had been playing with the Trenton Titans.

The Phantoms had a goal disallowed with 3:09 remaining, when Patrick Sharp tipped a Craig Berube shot by Passmore with a high stick.

Cote tied the game for the Admirals with a shorthanded wrister at the 10:59 mark of the second period, with three seconds remaining on a Phantoms power play. Cote struck again with 2:27 remaining in the period, tipping in a Johnathan Aitken point shot to give Norfolk a 2-1 lead. Burke Henry had the other assist.

Next weekend, Philadelphia hosts the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday at 7:05 p.m., plays at Norfolk on Saturday night and entertains the Hershey Bears on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. The first 4,000 kids 14 and under in attendance on Friday will receive a Ron Hextall bobblehead doll, courtesy of Allstate.

Phantoms Notes: Earlier in the day, Dennis Seidenberg was recalled by the Flyers, prompting Laux's call-up ... Laux also had his first fighting major, taking on Norfolk's Quintin Laing ... Freddy Meyer, John Slaney, Nick Deschenes and Joey Hope were scratches for the Phantoms ... Mike Siklenka returned to the lineup after missing 12 games due to a hip flexor ... Philadelphia is 0-for-26 on the power play over the last four games ... Peter Vandermeer and Shawn Thornton got into a fight three seconds into the game ... Little has won his last four decisions ... Philadelphia is 2-2-1 vs. Norfolk this year, with five match-ups remaining.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2003


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