Sports stats



Phantoms vs. Wolf Pack Rivalry Heated Right from the Start

October 12, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms and Hartford Wolf Pack racked up 100 combined penalty minutes in a fight-filled game that eventually saw Hartford prevail 5-4 in a shootout at XL Center. The Phantoms' standings point pushes their record to 1-0-1 entering their first home game of the season in front of an almost-certain sellout crowd at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Saturday night. The Hartford Wolf Pack improved to 2-0-1 with the victory in the first of the ten scheduled matchups between the Northeast Division rivals.

The game featured six fights including two from Phantoms tough-guy Zack FitzGerald and two from Hartford big-hitter Dylan McIlrath (although not with each other) in a game that had some chippy moments. That intensity in the tight contest sets the stage for the rematch of the home-and-home series coming up.

Three players scored their first ever goals in Phantoms' jerseys as Bruno Gervais, Michael Raffl and Chris VandeVelde all lit the lamp for the Phantoms. For the Austria native Raffl, it was the first goal of his pro career. Rob Bordson also scored and was the only Phantoms player to register a tally who has lit the lamp previously for the Phantoms. Adironack now has eight goals on the season coming from eight different players. Goal-scorers last week at Hershey included Ben Holmstrom, Tye McGinn, Brandon Alderson and Brandon Manning.

The game was the second consecutive overtime game to begin the year for Adirondack. Perhaps it was a fitting way to begin this season's rivalry between the AHL affiliates of the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers as Adirondack and Hartford played to overtime in half of their six contests last season.

Chris VandeVelde was oh-so-close to turning the tables on the Wolf Pack with his drive from close-range almost winning the game with just 10 seconds remaining in overtime. Michael Raffl's quick hands set up the potential game-winner but Hartford goalie Cameron Talbot made the important save.

Earlier in the overtime, it was almost won by former Phantom Danny Syvret who was skating for the first time against his old mates. With about 2:30 left in the extra period, Syvret dangled around a Phantoms skater to move in all alone on Danis and rifle off a quality shot from the slot but Danis was able to make the read and the save. Syvret finished the game with two assists, both on the power play, on his way to #2 Star of the Game honors.

It woudl turn out to be a somewhat fluky penalty that would cost the Phantoms ni this one. Leading 4-3 with less than 7:00 remaining, Cullen Eddy was knocked down in the corner and inadvertently put his hand on top of the puck when he was attempting to shove it around the wall. The new rule as of last year requires the player to push the puck from the side. He is not allowed to put his hand over the puck even for a moment which is all Eddy had done. But the penalty had to be called as the new rule is clear and the resulting power play produced Hartford's tying goal allowing them to complete the comeback in the shootout.

After Chris Kreider gave the hosts an initial 1-0 lead on a power-play goal from a deflection, Adirodnack nicely took control and would score the next three. Bruno Gervais' drive from center-point tied the game at 1-1 and then Rob Bordson benefitted from some frenetic pressure in the Wolf Pack zone by Zack FitzGerald that helped force a turnover leading to his goal from the slot as Adirondack led 2-1 at the first intermission.

Rookie Petr Straka smartly dropped the puck for fellow European rookie Michael Raffl in the left-circle who went tp shelf on Talbot for his career goal in North America after tallying plenty in the previous sesaons in Sweden and Austria. But Hartford would storm back with a Dylan McIlrath goal a few minutes later followed by an early third-period deflection goal by young talent J.T. Miller that tied matters at 3-3.

Chris VandeVelde took a fine feed from Bruno Gervais to go over the glove of Talbot from the right circle as the former Oklahoma City Baron notched his first Phantoms' goal. But with less than six minutes remaining, Danny Kristo's slapper from the top fo the right circle appeared to take an unfortunate deflection off the shaft of the stick of Adirondack defenseman Mark Alt to handcuff goalie Yann Danis and allow the Wolf Pack the late equalizer.

Raffl would score first in the shootout but that would end up as the Phantoms only goal out of the five rounds. Kristo and Miller beat Danis in the second and third rounds.

The Phantoms dominated Hartford for much of the game and were leading in shots on goal at one point 32-13. The final shots count was 35-20. The Phantoms were 1-for-4 on the power play while the Wolf Pack was 2-for-5.

Ben Holmstrom played his 183rd career game and is now just three games away from breaking the all-time record of 185 Adirondack Phantoms games currently held by Kevin Marshall. Holmstrom moved past Jon Kalinski (182) into second place on the all-time list.

Advance ticket sales for the Opening Night game on Saturday have been extremely strong and the team is almost certain of their 10th all-time sellout at the GlensFalls Civic Center. Seating capacity is 4,794. Once attendacne reches that mark, standing-room only tickets will be made available. The Adirondack Phantoms may have an opportunity of breaking their all-time record crowd of 5,411 established in their very first game in Glens Falls on October 3, 2009.

The team announced that a post-game party will take place for all fans 21 and over in Heritage Hall in the new Golia Ice Lounge. A live D.J. will be playing music and drink specials will be available. Opening Night presenting sponsor Great Meadow Federal Credit Union is providing Phantoms Magnet Schedules to the first 5,000 fans in attendance.

Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets during the day for the big game and not wait until game-time. Call the Adirondack Phantoms at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from October 12, 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.

Other Recent Adirondack Phantoms Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central