Phantoms Shootout Loss Extends Point Streak

February 18, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2) but fell in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Connecticut Whale Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The loudest and most boisterous crowd of the season saw Mike Testwuide score his 7th goal of the year to give Adirondack a 1-0 lead but the Phantoms couldn't hold it as the Whale came up with the second point late.

The game featured six power plays for each side several scuffles including a lengthy bout between Adirondack's Zac Rinaldo and Connecticut's Devin Didomete in the first period. Both picked up their 25th major penalty of the season to tie for the AHL lead. Rinaldo would acquire his 26th major later in the night to take sole possession.

Mike Testwuide picked up a rebound on the left-wing side of the crease and fired it home for his 5th goal in his last 7 games to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead about seven minutes into the second period. Ben Holmstrom set up the play winning the puck behind the Whale goal. Michael Ryan's blast in the slot was saved by Connecticut goalie Dov Grumet-Morris but Testwuide was there to flip in the lamplighter.

The Phantoms came close to making the narrow lead hold up for the rest of the night. But Connecticut picked things up in the third period and generated more chances on Johan Backlund. With less than three minutes left, Kris Newbury would pick up a rebound off the end-boards after a long drive by defenseman Stu Bickel. Newbury was able to score his 9th of the year behind the scrambling Backlund an tie the game at 1-1. Zac Rinaldo didn't care for Newbury's trash-talk after the goal was scored and immediately challenged him for his second fighting major of the game.

Just before the tying goal was scored, the Phantoms had rushed in for a 2-on-1 chance. Eric Wellwood's centering attempt for Denis Hamel was broken up by Connecticut's Jared Nightengale. If the pass had gone through it appeared Hamel would have a very good opportunity to give the Phantoms a 2-0 lead.

Adirondack did a terrific job late in the third to preserve the one standings point by killing off a Whale 5-on-3 power play in the final minute of regulation. With Walker sitting out for holding and later Kalinski getting called for tripping, the Phantoms P.K. came through large again.

The Whale continued on the 4-on-3 power play in overtime. Their top scorer, Jeremy Williams, hit the post but play would continue and Adirondack would find themselves on the power play in the topsy-turvy extra stanza. The Phantoms weren't able to seal the deal on their extra-man chance either and the game went to a shootout.

Connecticut's Kris Newbury and Tim Kennedy both scored in the shootout while Adirondack went 0-for-4 against Grumet-Morris for the 2-1 final.

The result moves the Phantoms one point ahead of Syracuse in the East Division standings as the Crunch lost their game in regulation. Adirondack is 12-7-5 under Head Coach Joe Paterson and are 14-7-5 since December 17.

Adirondack and Connecticut finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Johan Backlund made 22 saves as he recorded his third shootout loss this season while counterpart Dov Grumet-Morris stopped 28 shots in regulation and all four in the shootout to earn the win.

Adirondack concludes their 4-game homestand on Saturday night against the Charlotte Checkers who travel to Glens Falls following their 6-2 loss in Binghamton tonight.

The Phantoms conclude their four game homestand Saturday night against the Charlotte Checkers who are the former Albany River Rats and have many of their players as well as former Phantoms Jon Matsumoto. Saturday's game is Papa John's T-Shirt Giveaway Night for the first 2500 fans in attendance. The Phantoms wrap up weekend play Sunday at 4 in Albany against the Devils in game 6 of the Time Warner Cable Cup rivalry.



American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 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