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Phantoms Topped by Falcons in Glens Falls

March 8, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Adirondack's power play converted for three goals in their comeback efforts but for the second night in a row their late surge was not enough to overcome an early deficit. The visiting Springfield Falcons prevailed 5-3 at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Saturday night.

Nick Cousins, Bruno Gervais and Brandon Manning all lit the lamp for the Phantoms. For Gervais, he extended his goal-streak to three straight games when he blasted home his 10th of the year. The 20-year-old Cousins has nicely put his scoring drought in the distant past with goals in three consecutive weekends. But Springfield's early lead made the difference as Cody Bass led the way with a pair of goals and an assist.

It was the second Falcons' goal, a fluke that hardly ever happens, that hurt the most and opened the door for Springfield's offensive showing.

Late in the first period, Springfield defenseman Denny Urban offered a blast off the end-boards. Instead of careening straight back out, it took a bounce toward Phantoms goalie Yann Danis, hit the back of his left-skate, and trickled into the net.

He allowed two more goals in the second period - one to Paul Thompson and the other to Cody Bass - and he was eventually replaced by Carsen Chubak who surrendered one goal on 10 shots for his 26 minutes of work. The loss was hardly one to pin all on Danis, however. Springfield played a tremendous game.

The Falcons' offense was persistent and crisp throughout much of the contest. They were making their passes, creating odd-man rushes, and throwing shots on goal from all parts of the ice. At the time of Danis' exit, he had already faced 24 shots, and the game was not even at its midway point.

The offensive outburst proved to be too much for the Phantoms, but they did not back down quietly. For the second straight game, Adirondack capitalized on its power play chances, this time scoring three times out of seven on the man advantage.

The first tally cut the Falcon's lead to 2-1 just two minutes into the second period. Nick Cousins picked out a rebound on a point shot and netted it for his seventh goal of the season. The assists went to Mark Alt and Ben Holmstrom.

Later in the period, with the Phantoms trailing 4-1, they scored again on the power play. This time it was on a point shot from the red-hot Bruno Gervais. Gervais' shot deflected off the skate of a Falcons player and in, giving the defenseman his third goal in as many games and 10th on the season.

The Phantoms had stretches, especially in the second and third periods, in which they played quite well. They shut down all of Springfield's power play opportunities, including a four-minute man advantage midway through the period and two earlier Falcons' power plays. They were physical on the forecheck, generated chances, and could have easily gotten back into the game if it weren't for some big saves from goalie Mike McKenna.

The score remained 4-2 throughout the first part of the third period, but Springfield's Bass added an insurance goal for the Falcons at 11:28 on a quick wrister from the right circle.

The Phantoms pressed hard to try to make a dent in the Falcon's lead, but simply ran out of time. Brandon Manning scored on a 6-on-4 power play with a minute left and the goalie pulled, but it was too little too late. The second place Falcons were able to ride their early outburst all the way to a 5-3 victory.

Bass led the way for Springfield with three points (two goals and an assist) and a plus three rating, while Darryl Boyce also collected a couple of assists in the game. McKenna made 26 saves on 29 shots.

The Phantoms had eight separate players with a point in the game, including five players with an assist.

In addition to the offense, the game featured some chippy play was well. There were a total of 58 penalty minutes dished out, and three fights, including one at the end of the game between Tye McGinn and Trent Vogelhuber.

The Falcons out-shot Adirondack 34-29. The Phantoms pushed past the Falcons to boast the top penalty-kill in the AHL by pinning three power-play goals against Springfield while holding the visitors to 0-for-5. Adirondack's three power-play goals equals their most in a single game this season.

Adirondack is 3-2-1 against Springfield this season with two more games scheduled in the division rivalry. The Phantoms travel to Western Mass for a final visit on Wednesday, March 26 and then the Falcons return the favor that weekend with a Saturday, March 29 match-up in Glens Falls.

The contest was the Phantoms' last at home for some time, as they will start a stretch of five straight road games before returning home on March 22. Adirondack concludes their busy three-in-three stretch on Sunday to face off against the Providence Bruins, with puck drop scheduled for 4:05 p.m.

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