Phantoms rally for 3-3 tie with Hartford

Published on January 30, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 30, 2004) - Boyd Kane and Kirby Law each scored in the third period tonight to help rally the Philadelphia Phantoms to a 3-3 tie with the Hartford Wolf Pack in front of a crowd of 8,917 at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Ian MacNeil also scored and Antero Niittymaki made 26 saves for Philadelphia, which has lost just once in its last 11 games (9-1-1). The Phantoms extended their home unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1) and are now 2-0-2 in their last four meetings with the Wolf Pack.

Jeff Heerema and Cory Larose each registered a goal and an assist for Hartford, which has one win in its last six games (1-3-2). Jason LaBarbera finished with 26 saves.

Philadelphia came up empty during a power play in the opening minutes of the game before Hartford jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 3:21 mark. As two Phantoms defensemen failed to clear a bouncing puck out of their own end, Bobby Andrews gained control between the circles and placed a shot over Niittymaki's shoulder. Benoit Dusablon and Jason MacDonald each received an assist on Andrews' ninth of the year.

The Wolf Pack doubled their lead with 1:46 to go in the first period when Heerema launched a long slap shot into the top right corner of the net. Larose set up the right wing's third goal of the season.

Philadelphia got on the board 4:24 into the second period during a Hartford power play. P.J. Stock lofted the puck out of the Phantoms zone and MacNeil outraced a pair of Wolf Pack players to gain possession and place a shot past LaBarbera. Freddy Meyer also assisted on MacNeil's seventh goal and second shorthanded marker of the season.

Kane was stuffed on a shorthanded breakaway seconds later and the Wolf Pack moved ahead 3-1 at the 10:48 mark. During a scramble in the front of the Philadelphia net, Larose netted his eighth goal, with assists going to Heerema and Ryan Cuthbert.

The Phantoms began their comeback at 3:33 of the third period following a tripping minor on Heerema. John Slaney fed Kirk Furey for a slap shot from the point and Kane was in front to deflect it past LaBarbera for his eighth of the year.

Less than five minutes later, Law evened the score at 3-3 with his 18th goal. Joey Hope began the sequence by keeping the puck in the Hartford end and pushing it to Peter White, who found Law in the near circle for a one-timer past an out-of-position LaBarbera.

"When you're down 3-1 going into the third period, your chances don't look good," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "But we stayed with it and we battled. That's certainly a big boost for us being able to come back like that."

The Wolf Pack had the best scoring opportunity in overtime, but Meyer and Niittymaki were able to thwart their 3-on-1 rush.

The Phantoms continue their season-high five-game homestand on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. at the Wachovia Center vs. the Milwaukee Admirals. The game will be televised live on CN8.

Phantoms Notes: James Laux was an injured scratch, while Craig Berube and B.J. Abel were healthy scratches ... Earlier in the day, Niittymaki and Law were returned from the Flyers, Neil Little was recalled by the Flyers and Chris Houle was recalled from Trenton ... Phantoms opponents are 1-for-34 on the power play over the last five games ... Niittymaki is unbeaten in his last seven starts (6-0-1) ... The Phantoms are 11-2-2 when Law scores a goal ... Philadelphia leads the all-time series 8-6-3-2 and will play in Hartford on Feb. 13.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2004


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