Phantoms' Second Straight Shootout Loss

Published on February 19, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms extended their point streak to six games (3-0-3) but for the second consecutive night were defeated in the shootout, this time by the Charlotte Checkers, 3-2 on Saturday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Michael Ryan and Eric Wellwood scored for the Phantoms in regulation.

Chris Terry gave the Checkers a 1-0 lead on the power play at 12:22 of the first period. On a cross-ice feed from Zach Boychuk, Terry one-timed it just under the crossbar past Phantoms goaltender Michael Leighton to score his 21st goal of the season.

The Checkers outshot the Phantoms 9-5 in the opening period.

The Phantoms would respond after the intermission break to tie the score at 1-1. Just 44 seconds into the period, Ben Holmstrom sent a cross-ice pass through the neutral zone to a streaking Michael Ryan who beat Checkers goaltender Mike Murphy five-hole to score his 16th goal of the season.

Adirondack blasted away for much of the second and third periods but were unable to solve Charlotte goalie Mike Murphy. The Phantoms were dominating the play for much of the final two periods but just couldn't get the lead.

It remained 1-1 until late in the third period when with 1:59 remaining, Mike Murphy juggled the puck behind his own net. Eric Wellwood would pick up the rebound and go to the front of the net and slide one just across the Checkers goal-line to give Adirondack the 2-1 lead.

Charlotte with their goaltender pulled, would tie the game at 2-2 with 28 seconds remaining as Matthew Pistilli batted one out of mid-air to score his second goal of the season with an assist to Chris Terry. The controversial goal was disputed by the Phantoms who perhaps were arguing that the puck may have been punched or hit by a high stick in the scramble in the crease. A strange moment happened earlier on the play after Adirondack had shot the puck the length of the ice as players from both sides appeared to stop believing that an icing would be called. It was out of that pause that Charlotte was able to rush back with numbers on the Phantoms and eventually convert on the scramble in the crease.

Adirondack outshot Charlotte 36-23 in regulation and with less than 8 minutes left in the third period the Checkers had been outshot 12-1 in the period.

Adirondack went 0-for-3 on the power play while Charlotte went 1-for-2.

Michael Leighton made 26 saves in regulation and 4 of 7 in the shootout while counterpart Mike Murphy stopped 37 shots in regulation and 5 of 7 in the shootout to earn his sixteenth win of the season.

The Phantoms finished their four-game homestand 1-0-3 and are now 14-7-6 since December 17 and 12-7-6 under Joe Paterson.

Adirondack concludes their stretch of four games in five days traveling to Albany for a game at the Times Union Center against the Devils Sunday at 4 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2011


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.

OurSports Central