Phantoms Take Organizational Battle

Published on October 7, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Jonathan Matsumoto's goal with 14:11 remaining in the third period turned out to be the game-winner as the Philadelphia Phantoms topped the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Tuesday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. The game closed out the preseason slate for both teams and marked the final time the Flyers would play a game at the historic Spectrum.

The Flyers opened the scoring 12:11 into the game on a goal by Simon Gagne. He was stationed in the slot when Danny Briere sent a centering feed from the bottom of the left circle. Gagne one-timed a wrister past Antero Niittymaki, who suited up for the Phantoms, and gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

But the Phantoms knotted it up with 2:48 to play in the second period. They were on a power play when Sean Curry fired a shot on net from the right point. Martin Biron made the initial stop, but Jared Ross was on hand to clean up the scraps, finishing off the rebound to tie things at 1-1 at the second intermission.

The Phantoms jumped ahead at 9:07 of the third period on a similar play, although this time it was even-strength. Nate Guenin sent a shot in from the right point that was blocked down in front. The puck came to Patrick Maroon, who turned around and swept it past Biron to give the Phantoms the 2-1 lead.

The lead became 3-1 at the end of a Flyers power play. The Phantoms had numbers going into the Flyers zone as Jonathan Matsumoto came out of the box. The Flyers shut down the first scoring opportunity, but Claude Giroux forced a turnover before the Flyers could clear the zone. He brought the puck back into the left circle and fed Matsumoto in front, and Matsumoto's initial bid was stopped by Jean-Sebastien Aubin. But Matsumoto followed up his own rebound and gave the Phantoms a two-goal lead.

That lead was trimmed back to a goal just 57 seconds later. The Flyers put a rush on the Phantoms net and Aaron Asham sprung a puck in front. It bounced around a bit before it came towards Scottie Upshall, who knocked the puck out of midair and past Niittymaki at 15:08, making the score 3-2.

Late in the third period, the Flyers pulled Aubin and appeared to have tied up the game on a late goal that was disallowed because the puck was ruled to have been gloved into the net. Andreas Nodl then iced the win with an empty-netter with 18 seconds remaining.

Niittymaki played all 60 minutes and turned away 36 of the 38 shots his Flyers teammates fired at him. At the other end, Biron stopped 21 of 22 Phantoms chances while Aubin turned away 13 of 15 in the third period.

The Phantoms will begin the 2008-09 American Hockey League season, their final regular season at the Wachovia Spectrum, this Friday, Oct. 10 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Comcast-Spectacor recently announced that the Wachovia Spectrum will close after the Phantoms conclude their 2008-09 season. The Spectrum opened on September 30, 1967 with the Quaker City Jazz Festival. After nearly 30 seasons of Philadelphia Flyers hockey and Philadelphia 76ers basketball, the Spectrum gave way to the Wachovia Center in 1996.

The best way for fans to secure a ticket for the final game on April 12, 2009 is to purchase either a game plan package or season tickets. Packages are available now in convenient blocks of 6, 10, 16, 20 and 40 games. Receiving an impressive list of exclusive benefits, discount prices and the same seat for each game begins at just $60!

For more information or to make a deposit, call the Phantoms at 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

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American Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2008


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