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Phantoms Standings Point as Springfield Takes Shootout Win

October 20, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Some tough breaks, literally, and an unlucky bounce came back to hurt the Phantoms late in their try to secure the second standings point against Springfield Saturday night.

With a rare power play in overtime providing the chance for a dramatic win, Brandon Manning and Bruno Gervais had back-to-back broken sticks on big one-timer attempts that ultimately helped the Falcons scramble through the penalty kill. Springfield eventually tallied in the sixth round of the shootout for a 3-2 victory at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

For the Phantoms, Home Game #2 was theirs for the taking. Adirondack raced out to a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of the game and extended it to 2-0 early in the second period. But Springfield eventually maintained their position as one of only two AHL teams with unblemished records (along with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) to improve to 5-0-0.

Rookie Nick Cousins scored for the second time in as many games just 47 seconds in via a speedy entry into the zone with Chris VandeVelde on the left-wing giving across to Jason Akeson who fed Cousins for his blast through Mike McKenna from the slot.

Cousins is no stranger to scoring after lighting it up for 27 goals and 76 assists in Major Juniors last year. But he was a little slow out of the gate to obtain his first pro goal which he recorded on Friday. This one made it goals in back-to-back games for the young prospect.

"When you play with good players like Akeson and Vandy (VandeVelde), things happen easy," Cousins said. "So, you just got to shoot the puck and hopefully it goes in. I was fortunate enough to get that puck there in the slot and I was fortunate enough to bury it too."

And Adirondack made it 2-0 early in the second period when Rob Bordson would score for the third straight game notching his team-leading fourth goal of the year tipping a Brandon Manning slapshot. Bordson's deflection appeared to flutter over the shoulder of McKenna and just barely make it in. The officials conferred and also looked at the video review and eventually determined no high stick or any other issue on the play and the goal stood.

The Phantoms could have delivered a knockout punch after that and had quite a few chances to do so. Adirondack was playing well and had a good Springfield team on their heels.

"There were some tremendous opportunities where the puck was laying there at a wide open net," Phantoms head coach Terry Murray said. "The game could've been over at the end of the second period and it wasn't, but it was a good game. Good effort. We've got to build on it."

Broc Little scored his first from a virtually impossible angle in the closing minutes of the second period centering one in front from the end boards in the left-wing corner. The puck bounced off the back of Yann Danis' skate and into the net for the fluky goal that provided the visiting Falcons with the momentum they were looking for.

Wil Weber's slapshot from the point with less than nine minutes remaining in the third period snuck past Danis to tie the game. Danis made several remarkable saves on the night including a couple of point-blank tries. With 2:30 left, he denied Alex Aleardi on a rebound opportunity from a couple feet away with his quick left-leg kick stop. Danis drew a standing ovation in the second period with his incredible diving stop across the crease to somehow rob Jonathon Marchessault's back-door power-play opportunity at what initially appeared to be a completely open net.

Earlier in the third period, Nick Cousins stole an errant pass behind the Springfield net and connected with a wide-open Chris VandeVelde who was denied on his potential winner point-blank by McKenna for one his biggest stops of the night.

The Phantoms' tremendous power-play opportunity in the overtime was a chance for an exciting finish at home but instead they came away from it somewhat snake-bit with two broken sticks and a couple other near-misses. Basically, it was a matter of "what could have been" for a team that played extremely well and likely feels they deserved a better result.

Cody Goloubef scored in the sixth round of the shootout for the game-winner for Springfield. Nick Cousins had scored in the second round for Adirondack who again had a lead in that late round and a chance for the big win.

The Phantoms set a season-high for shots on goal and outshot Springfield in the game 37-32. The Phantoms were 0-for-3 on the power play while the Falcons were 0-for-2. The game was the first of six this year between the Phantoms and Falcons and Adirondack won't have to wait long for their opportunity to avenge this shootout setback; The Falcons return to Glens Falls on Wednesday, October 30.

"Making Strides" raised funds during game via a front-table in the GFCC lobby to benefit the American Cancer Society in their fight to end breast cancer. Rite Aid was down the way providing flu shots to fans at the game with their own in-house set up.

The game marks the beginning of a solid stretch of home games for the Phantoms. Adirondack plays five out of six at home beginning with this one as well as 12 out of their next 18.

The Adirondack Phantoms return to the Glens Falls Civic Center Friday night hosting the Norfolk Admirals. $2 draft-beer specials will be available before game-time. Call the Phantoms to purchase your game-tickets in advance at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2013


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.

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