Phantoms Storm Back For Thrilling Comeback Win

Published on February 16, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Adirondack scored three goals in the final six minutes of regulation for another dramatic victory Wednesday night in a 4-2 decision against the visiting Syracuse Crunch. Logan Stephenson (1st) tied the game at 2-2 with 5:17 remaining and Rob Bordson (5th) netted the game-winner with 3:07 left to electrify the Glens Fall Civic Center contingent.

The Phantoms have made a habit of third period comebacks in 2011 and came up with another thriller in the second game of their four game homestand. The Phantoms last win at home was similar with two goals in the last five minutes against Binghamton scored by Andrew Rowe and Luke Pither in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

Eric Wellwood (11th) had scored earlier in the game and Ben Holmstrom (8th) chipped in an empty-netter at the end. The win extended the Phantoms point streak to four games at 3-0-1. The win moves the Phantoms into a tie in the East Division with Syracuse and moves Adirondack to within one point of Albany with an opportunity to leap past both teams this weekend.

Trailing 2-1 with less than 6 minutes remaining, Andrew Rowe aggressively tracked down the puck behind the Crunch net and got it in front to Zac Rinaldo who dropped it all the way back to Logan Stephenson at the blue-line. Stephenson's wrister beat Crunch goaltender J.P. Levasseur to tie the score at 2-2.

Two minutes later, Rob Bordson would score the eventual game-winner as he stuffed one past Levasseur on his left leg side following a fine steal by Wellwood behind the Crunch goal.

Ben Holmstrom sealed the game for Adirondack as he back-handed one into an empty-net from the red line with 13 seconds remaining.

Eric Wellwood opened the scoring for Adirondack 18:37 into the first period as he beat Crunch goaltender J.P. Levasseur from a sharp angle in the right-wing corner to score his eleventh goal of the year. Logan Stephenson made a great play in the defensive zone to win a 1-on-1 battle and then send a cross-ice feed the streaking Wellwood who snuck it in from the tough angle while Denis Hamel was crashing into the slot.

Johan Backlund made 8 saves in the first period including back-to-back terrific stops on Bonino and Patrick Maroon after Syracuse was held without a shot for the opening eleven plus minutes.

Adirondack led 1-0 until ex-Phantom, Patrick Maroon, scored his 15th of the year and 10th with Syracuse in the closing minute of the second period.

Syracuse had taken a 2-1 lead early in the 3rd period on a Phantoms giveaway leading to a Nicolas Deschamps shorthanded tally. Syracuse led late into the third until Adirondack's late game heroics.

The Phantoms are 12-7-4 under Head Coach Joe Paterson. Adirondack's record in the last two months (since Dec 17) is 14-7-4.

Adirondack went 0-for-2 on the power play while Syracuse finished 0-for-4. Johan Backlund earned his seventh win of the year making 29 saves while counterpart J.P. Levasseur recorded his sixth loss of the season against Adirondack.

The Phantoms homestand continues Friday and Saturday nights with back-to-back games against the Connecticut Whale and Charlotte Checkers. Friday's game is Dollar Hot Dog Night and Saturday's game features Phantoms T-Shirt for the first 2500 fans in attendance courtesy of Papa John's.

Notes: Marc-Andre Bourdon, Kevin Marshall, Stefan Legein and Greg Moore were scratches for Adirondack.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2011


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