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Phantoms Weekly - Love Is in the Air

February 13, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Last Week's Results

Tuesday, February 4 - Hartford Wolf Pack 4 - Adirondack Phantoms 1

Saturday, February 8 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3 - Adirondack Phantoms 2

Sunday, February 9 - Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5 - Adirondack Phantoms 4

This Week's Games

Friday, February 14 (7:00) - Portland Pirates at Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, February 15 (5:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils

Sunday, February 16 (4:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Portland Pirates

Upcoming

Love is in the air as the Adirondack Phantoms return to action following the AHL All-Star Break. On Valentine's Day, we probably shouldn't expect any flowers or chocolates to be exchanged when the Phantoms host the Portland Pirates at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Friday is the Phantoms only home game of the week.

Then it's off to Albany for our most bitter rivals with the Phantoms and Devils continuing their Love-Hate relationship. Yeah, it's complicated.

And Sunday we'll head to Maine to renew our acquaintance with our Valentine's Day friends with another Phantoms vs. Pirates engagement.

The Phantoms are getting right back into it with three games in three days as they return to snowy Glens Falls after their All-Star Break. All teams in the AHL were off during the week and were not allowed to hold any practices.

AHL Hall of Fame

It was a special day for hockey fans of the North Country and the Phantoms with two terrific representatives joining the 2014 AHL Hall of Fame Class in a ceremony in St. John's, NL on Wednesday. Bill Dineen and John Slaney were among those honored along with Al MacNeil (center) and the late Bob Perreault.

Dineen is the much beloved former head coach of the Adirondack Red Wings who won two Calder Cups in his six years at the helm and also won the Pieri Award for AHL Coach of the Year in consecutive seasons among his many other accomplishments. The Glen Lake resident was accompanied by most of his family for the ceremony.

Slaney is a St. John's native who played for the Philadelphia Phantoms from 2001-07 and captained the team to their Calder Cup title in 2005. The Team Canada hero with his game-winning goal in the World Juniors in 1991 went on to become the first ever defenseman in AHL history to reach 500 points. Slaney is now an assistant coach for the Portland Pirates and will have the opportunity to see his Phantoms 2005 Calder Cup banner again this Friday when the Pirates visit the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Olympic Style Jerseys for February 21

The Phantoms have announced a USA themed specialty jersey for their upcoming game on Friday, February 21 against the Albany Devils. The spectacular looking red, white and blue, stars-and-stripes uniforms will be unveiled on almost exactly the 34th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice game. It was at Lake Placid on February 22, 1980 when the USA stunned the Soviet Union on their way to winning gold. The Phantoms will wear these special jerseys for one game only. Fans can own their piece of history immediately after the game via a live jersey auction. The Phantoms also wore popular USA themed jerseys for a game in 2009-10.

Labatt Bubble Hockey Tournament

Come join us for all the fun in this year's Labatt Bubble Hockey Tournament. Entry is free. The opening qualifying rounds are at the below area locations. If you have the stuff to advance out of the qualifying round then you'll play in the regional finals at the Glens Falls Civic Center on April 5th. The finalists will square-off on the ice during the intermission of the Phantoms game. Then our regional champion will represent the Phantoms against all the other teams at the Bubble Hockey Finals in Utica.

Phantoms players will be joining along at our qualifiers for all the fun. And you might even see Dax pop in to say Hi as well! It all starts with our two free qualifying rounds. Show up for either one...or both! No advance registration necessary. Just be ready to get your bubble hockey on!

Tues, February 18 (6:30 - 8:30) - Peabody's in Saratoga

Wed, February 19 (6:00 - 8:00) - The Mill in Clifton Park

Adirondack Phantoms (22-23-2, 46 points)

Goals: Jason Akeson (17), Tye McGinn (14), Kris Newbury (13), Ben Holmstrom (9), Rob Bordson (9)

Assists: Jason Akeson (28), Kris Newbury (18) Brandon Manning (15), Petr Straka (15)

Points: Jason Akeson (45), Kris Newbury (31), Tye McGinn (25), Ben Holmstrom (23), Petr Straka (22)

Games: Four with (47) - Jason Akeson, Ben Holmstrom, Oliver Lauridsen, Brandon Manning

PIM: Brandon Manning (143), Kris Newbury (132), Oliver Lauridsen (122), Zack FitzGerald (118)

GAA: Cal Heeter (2.49), Yann Danis (2.53)

Sv Pct: Cal Heeter (.915), Yann Danis (.905)

Wins: Cal Heeter (15)

Saratoga Spine Player of the Week

Tye McGinn is the Phantoms Player of the Week presented by Saratoga Spine. McGinn was the #1 Star of the Game in the Phantoms victory Philadelphia on February 1 with one goal and two assists. He added two more goals in three games last week and has now scored seven goals in his last eight games. McGinn also has 13 points in his last 13 games since January 4.

Last Week

Tuesday, February 4 - Hartford Wolf Pack 4 - Adirondack Phantoms 1

Jason Akeson racked up another milestone to his impressive list of achievements when he notched his 100th assist with the Adirondack Phantoms. But his helper on a Tye McGinn goal would not be enough in a 4-1 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Akeson is the 10th player in Phantoms franchise history and the first with the Adirondack Phantoms to record 100 assists. Adirondack had a late opportunity to cut into the 4-1 deficit with a five-minute major power play but were still unable to get the offense rolling.

Rob Bordson missed the game due to illness thus ending his team-record streak of consecutive games played at 144. Bordson had played every game since February 24, 2012 before needing to miss this one.

Saturday, February 8: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3 - Adirondack Phantoms 2

Former Phantom Harry Zolnierczyk burned his ex-teammates with a goal and an assist on his way to #1 Star of the Game honors as the Penguins were barely able to hang on against the Phantoms. Jason Akeson scored his team-leading 17th goal of the season and rookie Brandon Alderson notched his seventh of the year on a nice play and impressive shot after rushing up the right-wing boards as part of one of his best games of the season. Mike Carman's breakaway goal in the third period on a long-stretch pass by Simon Despres gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead and was the difference-maker on the night. The Phantoms finished the last 1:32 of the game with a 6-on-4 advantage but were unable to break Penguins goalie Jeff Deslauriers who secured the win against Cal Heeter.

Sunday, February 9: Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5 - Adirondack Phantoms 4

A wild, back-and-forth affair was eventually snagged by the host Sound Tigers. Kris Newbury started the scoring quickly just 23 seconds in for the team's fastest goal of the year. Tye McGinn, Oliver Lauridsen and Petr Straka also scored for Adirondack. The Phantoms held a 2-1 lead in the second period and were dominating play in the Bridgeport zone when Jason Akeson was denied back-to-back on a breakaway and a penalty shot. Continuing the pressure, the Phantoms induced another Bridgeport penalty but the tables were turned when the Sound Tigers scored a shorthanded goal and then tallied another just a couple minutes later to take the lead. John Persson had a couple goals for Bridgeport and Ryan Strome scored one goal and two assists as Anders Nilsson picked up the win against Cal Heeter.

Upcoming Opponents

Portland Pirates (17-21-9, 43 points) - Affiliation, Phoenix Coyotes

Friday, February 14 (7:00) - Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY

Sunday, February 16 (4:00) - Androscoggin Bank Colisee, Lewiston, ME

Standings: 14th place, Eastern Conference

Season Series: The Phantoms and Pirates are meeting for the first time in the 2013-14 season. The home-and-home series over this weekend will be their only encounters of the year.

Last Meeting: None

Top Scorers: Andy Miele (19-26-45), Lucas Lessio (14-16-30), Brandon Gormley (6-23-29)

Info: Portland's defense is dead last (30th) in the AHL allowing almost 3.5 goals per game. They are 28th out of 30 in shots allowed at 33.2 per game. Portland has lost five of their last six games and also 11 of their last 13 (2-8-3). They allowed seven goals in three consecutive games a couple weeks ago in losses to St. John's (7-4), Binghamton (7-1) and Manchester (7-4). Andy Miele was the 2011 Hobey Baker Award winner at Miami (Ohio) as the top player in college hockey. Former Philadelphia Phantom and recent AHL Hall of Fame inductee John Slaney is assistant coach for the Pirates.

Albany Devils - Affiliation, New Jersey Devils

Saturday, February 15 (5:00) - Times Union Center, Albany, NY

Standings: 9th place, Eastern Conference

Season Series: Devils lead 5 games to 4. This is Game 10 out of 12 between the two teams this year and is also Adirondack's last visit to Times Union Center

Last Meeting: Jan 25, ADK 2 - ALB 1

Top Scorers: Joe Whitney (17-21-38), Kelly Zajac (7-20-27), Mike Sislo (13-13-26), Scott TImmins (10-15-25)

Info: Recently placed fourth in the Eastern Conference, the Devils have slipped out of the Top 8 with only three wins in their last 10 games. One of those losses was to the hands of the Phantoms in their last encounter on January 25 when Jason Akeson fired home the game-winner with just 21 seconds remaining in regulation.

Saturday night will mark the 44th all-time meeting in the Northway Rivalry with the Albany Devils currently holding a slim 22-21 advantage.

The Phantoms hold a 3-2-0 record at Times Union Center this year which also includes an overtime game on November 29 when Bruno Gervais provided the heroics in a 4-3 triumph.

All-Time Northway Rivalry Series History: Adirondack Phantoms 21 - Albany Devils 21

2013-14 - Albany Devils lead 5-4

2012-13 - Albany Devils win series 8-4

2011-12 - Adirondack Phantoms win series 7-3

2010-11 - Series Tied 6-6 (Phantoms win season series based on total points)

Record Book Snapshot

Jason Akeson's penalty shot attempt last Sunday was the first for the team in over a year and their 14th all-time. The Adirondack Phantoms are 5-for-14 in penalty shots with their last successful conversion taking place at Times Union Center in Albany when Zac Rinaldo scored on October 26, 2012 against Jeff Frazee.

Penalty Shots (14)

2/9/14 Jason Akeson at Anders Nilsson (BRI) no goal

1/25/13 Harry Zolnierczyk at Keith Kinkaid (ALB) no goal

1/18/13 Matthew Ford vs Keith Kinkaid (ALB) no goal

10/26/12 Zac Rinaldo at Jeff Frazee (ALB) GOAL

10/20/12 Garrett Roe at Eddie Pasquale (STJ) no goal

3/2/12 Andrew Rowe at Adam Courchaine (PRO) GOAL

2/3/12 Matthew Ford vs Jaroslav Janus (NOR) no goal

12/30/11 Ben Holmstrom vs Justin Pogge (POR) no goal

12/17/11 Ben Holmstrom at Jeff Deslauriers (SYR) GOAL

2/25/11 Eric Wellwood vs Curtis Sanford (HAM) no goal

1/23/11 Greg Moore at Dany Sabourin (HER) no goal

11/20/10 Denis Hamel vs Dustin Tokarski (NOR) no goal

11/1/09 Jon Matsumoto vs Dan Lacosta (SYR) GOAL

10/9/09 Andreas Nodl vs Devan Dubnyk (SPR) GOAL

Upcoming

Friday, February 14 (7:00) - Portland Pirates vs. Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, February 15 (5:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils

Sunday, February 16 (4:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Portland Pirates

Tuesday, February 18 (7:00) - Phantoms Power Hour radio show LIVE at Recovery Sports Grill on Q101.7. Phantoms player guests to be announced.

Friday, February 21 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms. Special Olympic-Theme Jerseys! Postgame Auction. Own your piece of history as the Phantoms wear Red, White and Blue

Saturday, February 22 (7:00) - Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Adirondack Phantoms. At Philadelphia

When you order your tickets in advance, you save! Call the Phantoms at 518-480-3355

25 Terrific Seasons

Glens Falls is celebrating its 25th season hosting an AHL team and in so doing now joins an elite group of just 9 other active markets who can make such a claim. It's a great hockey tradition with an old-school feel that began with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1979. In their 20-year tenure at the Glens Falls Civic Center through 1999, the Red Wings won four Calder Cups. The Adirondack Phantoms began play in Glens Falls in 2009-10 and are in their fifth season bringing exciting AHL action to the North Country.



American Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2014


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