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Phantoms Rally For 6-3 Win Over Albany

April 1, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


PHILADELPHIA, PA - David Laliberte led all scorers with three goals and one assist as the Philadelphia Phantoms overcame a 3-1 first period deficit to beat the Albany River Rats 6-3 Wednesday night in Albany's final game ever at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Coming into the contest with a four-game winless streak (0-3-0-1), the River Rats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Albany's fourth line struck first as Tomas Pospisil's hard-charging fore-check caused a turnover from defenseman Sean Curry behind the Philadelphia goal and slid a quick pass to a wide-open Brad Herauf in front. Herauf took the pass, moved to his backhand and swept the puck through the legs of goaltender Scott Munroe at 3:05; it was his second career AHL goal, with both coming at the Spectrum. Curry would make up for his blunder at 10:49 when he tied the game for Philadelphia with a shot from the right point that took a deflection off a Rats defender and passed goaltender Daniel Manzato.

Albany would not allow the Phantoms to build any momentum off the goal as they responded by scoring 45 seconds later. Defenseman Mark Flood made a clever pass from the left corner to Jerome Samson behind the net and in one motion he collected the puck and swung a backhand shot around the far post and into the net before Munroe could get there. The goal was Samson's 21st of the season, assisted by Mark Flood and Yannick Tifu at 11:34. Albany continued to hound the Phantoms zone and five minutes later it was 3-1 Rats when Brandon Sutter made a nice pass from behind the net to fellow rookie Harrison Reed in front for a one-timer that beat Munroe over the catching glove at 16:07; Reed's fifth goal of the year. Late in the period the River Rats were awarded the first power play of the game, and although they created numerous chances, the Phantoms avoided any further damage as the period ended with Albany leading by two goals and out-shooting Philadelphia 16-6.

The Phantoms rallied during the intermission and came storming out of the locker room to start the second period as David Laliberte scored at 1:56 to cut Albany's lead to 3-2. The teams traded chances for the next 13 minutes before Laliberte got on the score sheet again, netting his second goal of the period at 15:15 to tie the game. With the River Rats on their heels, Philadelphia captain Jared Ross gave the home team its first lead of the game with 63 seconds remaining in the frame, potting his 28th goal of the year from Boyd Kane and a 4-3 lead after two periods.

The Phantoms were unrelenting in the third period as they tacked on two more goals to cruise to a 6-3 win. Laliberte completed his hat trick performances at 10:21 and then Jonathan Matsumoto scored on a backhand shot at 18:01, capping off five unanswered goals by Philadelphia.

Goaltender Scott Munroe shrugged off a shaky first period to finish the game with 35 saves on 38 shots as Philadelphia improved to 39-29-2-4 on the season. Albany starter Daniel Manzato blocked 24-of-30 shots in goal as the River Rats fell to 31-36-3-4 on the year. Albany out-shot the Phantoms 38-30 in the game and went 0-for-2 on the power play; Philadelphia was also 0-for-2 with the man-advantage.

Albany now returns home to prepare for their next home game on Friday, April 3rd at the Glens Falls Civic Center as they host the Worcester Sharks for a 7:30 pm face off.

River Rats flex ticket packages and individual game tickets for the remainder of the 2008-09 season are on sale now at the River Rats office and the Times Union Center Box Office. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2009


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