Phantoms rally for 5-3 win over Albany
Published on March 7, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
(PHILADELPHIA, March 7, 2004) - Ian MacNeil scored twice and added an assist to help the Philadelphia Phantoms overcome an early three-goal deficit and register a 5-3 victory over the Albany River Rats tonight in front of a crowd of 8,937 at the Wachovia Spectrum.
Playing their first game at home since Feb. 20, the Phantoms fell behind 3-0 just 9:02 into the game before evening the score at the first intermission and adding two more scores in the second. With the win, Philadelphia moved into a tie for first place in the East Division with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who lost 4-3 vs. Binghamton earlier today.
"They came in here and took it to us right away, but once we got a little upset with the situation and started playing hard, a lot of good things started to happen," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "You have to play this game with emotion and with a work ethic. We know we're going to get their best game and we have to be ready for that."
Ben Stafford and Mike Peluso contributed two points apiece and Antero Niittymaki stopped 25-of-28 shots for Philadelphia, which was coming off a season-high seven-game road trip. The Phantoms improved to 10-1-1 in their last 12 home games and 3-1 vs. the River Rats this season.
Ahren Nittel and Jiri Bicek each recorded three points and Ari Ahonen made 26 saves as Albany lost for the fifth time in its last six games. The River Rats will get a shot at revenge on Monday, when the teams square off again at the Spectrum.
Albany took seven of the first eight shots of the game and jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead. Nittel opened the scoring 66 seconds into the contest when he took a feed from Bicek and tallied his second of the year from the near circle.
Bicek made it 2-0 during a power play at the 4:49 mark as Nittel and Ilkka Pikkarainen set up his 12th goal. Nittel then struck again at 9:02 on a one-timer from between the circles off a centering pass by Bicek.
The Phantoms responded with three goals of their own to pull into a 3-3 tie after one period. Stafford began the comeback at the 12:00 mark when he tallied his ninth goal during a flurry in front of the Albany net. Wade Skolney and Steve Gainey received assists on the play.
Freddy Meyer cut the deficit to 3-2 with a slap shot from the near circle at 17:40. Stafford and MacNeil set up the power-play goal, Meyer's 11th of the year. MacNeil then evened the score with 43 seconds to go on a rocket from the far side. Peluso fed MacNeil for his 11th of the season.
"Ben Stafford pulled up and I saw he was in there, so he made a good pass over and I just kind of wound up and closed my eyes and shot it and it went in," said Meyer, who made his NHL debut with the Flyers on Saturday night. "It was a great experience last night playing for the Flyers and then coming back here and getting a goal tonight. I've had a little luck come my way and hopefully it continues."
Philadelphia continued the pressure in the second and took its first lead 1:34 into the period. MacNeil struck again on the power play, following in a shot by Peluso. Kirby Law then widened the gap to 5-3 at 9:51 with his team-best 22nd goal. During a 5-on-3 situation, Peter White feathered a pass through the crease to Law for an easy tap-in.
Monday's home game vs. Albany was originally scheduled for Jan. 11, but got postponed due to an Eagles home playoff game. Next weekend, the Phantoms play at Providence, Manchester and Portland, respectively.
Phantoms Notes: Nick Deschenes, John Slaney, Craig Berube and James Laux were healthy scratches ... Earlier in the day, Slaney, Meyer and Randy Jones were returned from the Flyers ... Niittymaki improved to 9-2-2 with two no-decisions in his last 15 appearances ... White has five assists in his last five games ... Meyer has eight points (6G, 2A) in his last seven games as a Phantom.
American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2004
- B-Sens rally for 4-3 win - Binghamton Senators
- Phantoms rally for 5-3 win over Albany - Adirondack Phantoms
- Falcons lose in Worcester, 4-2 - Springfield Falcons
- Power surge boosts IceCats to win - Worcester IceCats
- Ducks down Barons 4-1 to end winless streak - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Sound Tigers Lose 4-3 At Home To Binghamton - Bridgeport Islanders
- P-Bruins' winning streak comes to an end - Providence Bruins
- Grizzlies Work Overtime in San Antonio but Fall 3-2 - Utah Grizzlies
- Bears rally but fall to Lock Monsters, 5-4, in Lowell - Hershey Bears
- Gameday: Rampage vs. Grizzlies - San Antonio Rampage
- Falcons sign RW Littlejohn to PTO - Springfield Falcons
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Bulldogs now unbeaten in four - Hamilton Bulldogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
