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Phantoms Weekly - New Year's Hockey

December 31, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Last Week's Results

Thursday, December 26 - Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Springfield Falcons 2 (SO)

Friday, December 27 - Albany Devils 2 - Adirondack Phantoms 0

Saturday, December 28 - Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Providence Bruins 1

This Week's Games

Tuesday, December 31 (5:00) - Worcester Sharks (13-12-3) at Adirondack Phantoms (15-13-2)

Friday, January 3 (7:00) - Hershey Bears (13-12-5) at Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, January 4 (7:00) - Albany Devils (19-8-4) at Adirondack Phantoms

Upcoming

Happy New Year, hockey fans! Your Adirondack Phantoms close out 2013 and then ring in 2014 with some big promotions as part of their longest homestand of the year. The Phantoms are playing five straight at the Glens Falls Civic Center as well as eight of their next nine carrying us well into January.

The Phantoms enter the week in the thick of the Eastern Conference race as they pass the 30-game mark of the regular season. Adirondack is 15-13-2 for 32 points this year, just three points back of eighth-place St. John's for the eventual postseason cutoff.

Tuesday at 5:00 is a Glens Falls hockey tradition which dates back to 1979; Adirondack hockey on New Year's Eve. All tickets for Tuesday's game are just $10! Come celebrate the end of 2013 with the Adirondack Phantoms against the Worcester Sharks.

Friday night it's the Hershey Bears arriving for another Pregame Happy Hour game featuring $2 beers from 6:00-7:00 PM.

And Saturday it's Fitzy Face on a Stick Night presented by Liberty Graphics paying tribute to tough-guy Zack FitzGerald when the Phantoms host the Albany Devils in Round 7 out of 12 in this season's Northway Rivalry.

Fans can save when they purchase their tickets in advance. Call the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

Adirondack Phantoms (15-13-2, 32 points)

Phantoms Leaders

Goals: Rob Bordson (7), Chris VandeVelde (7) Jason Akeson (7)

Assists: Jason Akeson (16), Petr Straka (10), Ben Holmstrom (9), Brandon Manning (9), Mark Alt (9)

Points: Jason Akeson (23), Petr Straka (15), Bordson (14), Newbury (14), Holmstrom (14), Manning (14)

Games: Five with (30) - Jason Akeson, Rob Bordson, Ben Holmstrom, Brandon Manning, Oliver Lauridsen

PIM: Brandon Manning (95), Kris Newbury (82), Oliver Lauridsen (76)

GAA: Cal Heeter (2.31)

Sv Pct: Cal Heeter (.923)

Wins: Cal Heeter (10)

Milestones

Rob Bordson - Has played in 130 consecutive ADK Phantoms games dating back to 2/24/12

Jason Akeson - 131 career points, most all-time for ADK Phantoms. 14th for Phantoms franchise. 13th is Paul Healey (138 from 1996-98) and then 11th/12th are Danny Syvret and Colonie native Craig Darby at 146.

Ben Holmstrom - 41 career goals with ADK Phantoms. Jason Akeson 40 career goals with ADK Phantoms. Both are chasing Denis Hamel record (48).

Transactions

The Phantoms have been busy on the transaction-front due to a recent wave of injuries.

December 27 - Maxim Lamarche (D) Reassigned to Adirondack from Elmira (ECHL)

December 28 - Mike Matczak (D) Signed to PTO by Adirondack from Kalamzoo (ECHL)

December 30 - Doug Clarkson (F) Recalled from loan by Adirondack from Reading (ECHL)

Saratoga Spine Player of the Week - Carsen Chubak

Carsen Chubak is our Saratoga Spine Player of the Week. Last Saturday, the rookie goalie made his first career AHL start a memorable one with a dazzling 38-save performance in a 3-1 victory over the Providence Bruins. Chubak made several spectacular and acrobatic stops during a long 5-on-3 penalty kill in the second period which brought the fans to their feet and also to a deafening roar. Chubak seized his big moment.

He was one of the top collegiate goalies in the country last year with Niagara University. Congratulations to the native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Saratoga Spine Player of the Week, Carsen Chubak!

Adirondack Phantoms Record Book Snapshot

New Year's Eve Games (2-1-1)

Dec 31, 2009 - Albany River Rats 1 - Adirondack Phantoms 0

(Mike Murphy over John Graham. Zack Boychuk Lone Goal)

Dec 31, 2010 - ADK Phantoms 3 - Springfield Falcons 2 (SO)

(Brian Stewart 27-save win. Goals: Jon Kalinski, Greg Moore)

Dec 31, 2011 - Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Albany Devils 1 (OT)

(Mike Testwuide OT Winner. Jason Akeson goal)

Dec 31, 2012 - Bridgeport 4 - Adirondack Phantoms 3 (SO)

(Phantoms rally from 3-0 deficit )

Penalty Kill Dominance

Adirondack's penalty kill rates second in the AHL at 88.2% trailing only Springfield (88.9). At home, the Phantoms are tops in the AHL at 91.3% allowing just 6 out of 69. The Phantoms began the year turning aside 31 straight home power plays they faced before finally allowing one at home on November 23.

Power Play Turnaround

After a sluggish start to the season, the power play for the Phantoms has really started to click. Last Saturday, the Phantoms notched a season-high three power play goals in a 3-1 win against Providence. In its last nine games, Adirondack is converting at 22.5% (9-for-40). The Phantoms have scored a power-play goal in nine of their last 14 games. On the season, the Phantoms have a record of 9-3-1 when they score at least one PPG.

First to Three

The Phantoms are 13-3-1 when scoring three or more goals and are 3-0-1 when scoring four or more. Adirondack is 3-10-2 when allowing three or more. When allowing two or fewer, Adirondack's record is 12-3-0.

Strike Early

The Adirondack Phantoms are 11-1-1 when scoring the first goal and are 9-2-2 when leading after one period.

Kyle Flanagan Last Week

Thursday, December 26:

Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Springfield Falcons 2 (SO)

The Phantoms returned from the holiday break with an exciting win at Springfield when Kyle Flanagan scored in the ninth round of the shootout for a 3-2 final. The Phantoms sure do have Springfield's number. The Eastern Conference front-running Falcons had posted an astonishing 19-2-3 record against the rest of the AHL but Adirondack is now 3-0-1 against Springfield. Brandon Alderson scored a couple minutes into the game and Brandon Manning added a power-play goal in the second period. Cal Heeter was tremendous in his 10th win of the season with 29 saves as well as eight out of nine in the shootout.

Friday, December 27: Albany Devils 2 - Adirondack Phantoms 0

Cal Heeter did his part and kept the Phantoms in the game with a number of terrific stops. But an early first-period goal by Scott TImmins for the Devils would hold up for the duration of the contest and then Albany would add an empty-netter with just four seconds left for the 2-0 final. Keith Kinkaid recorded a 19-save shutout for his league-leading fourth of the season as he lowered his AHL-best goals-against average to below two. Kinkaid didn't have to do quite as much in his win however. Albany's defense stifled the Phantoms to a season-low 19 shots as the Devils evened the Northway Rivalry series 3-3 at the midway point.

Saturday, December 28: Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Providence Bruins 1

4,466 fans inside the Glens Falls Civic Center at times sounded like triple that number in their support of Carsen Chubak's AHL starting debut. Through an incredible 5-on-3 penalty-kill in the second period, the crowd rose to a deafening roar with Chubak's acrobatic and scrambling stops.

Carsen Chubak said he had never been a part of a game in which the crowd had played that much of a factor. The fans boosted him to a 38-save win while Adirondack scored a season-high three power-play goals off the sticks of Kyle Flanagan, Jason Akeson and Brandon Alderson.

Upcoming Opponents

Worcester Sharks (13-12-3, 29 points) - San Jose Sharks

Tuesday, Dec 31 (5:00) - Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY

The Worcester Sharks invade the Glens Falls Civic Center for their lone appearance of 2013-14. The Sharks went 1-1-1 last weekend including a 3-2 shootout loss to Hartford in their most recent contest on Saturday. They are led by the longest-tenured coach in the AHL, Roy Sommer, who has been the head coach for San Jose's AHL affiliate since 1998-99 including his current eight-year stint with the Worcester Sharks beginning in 2006. He is one of only four AHL head coaches to reach 500 wins or 1,000 games. The Sharks are 5-1 in shootouts this season, best in the AHL.

Second-year pro Freddie Hamilton (11-7-18) and Moscow, Russia import Daniil Tarasov (9-9-18) are the club's top scorers. Finland native Harri Sateri (7-10-1, 2.91, .892) has struggled as their top goalie this year. Union College product Troy Grosenick (6-4-0, 2.27, .916) has put up better numbers in fewer games.

33-year-old Rob Davison brings veteran experience to the blue-line with over 200 NHL games. The former San Jose Shark began his career under Sommer in 2000-01 with the Kentucky Thoroughblades and also played for the Lowell Devils and Albany Devils in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Clifton Park native Nick Petrecki out of Boston College has not played the past few weeks due to injury.

Hershey Bears (13-12-5, 31 points) - Affiliation, Washington Capitals

Friday, January 3 (7:00) - Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY

Adirondack and Hershey have not met since the first game of the season in which Brandon Manning scored an overtime winner at Giant Center on October 5.

The Bears began the season sluggishly with a 1-4-2 record just like the Phantoms. But they are beginning to make their move and have recently boosted their roster bringing back Ryan Potulny who is also an ex-Phantom. Potulny was slated to play in the KHL this year prior to a preseason shoulder injury. The 29-year-old debuted with the Flyers and Philadelphia Phantoms in 2006-07 scoring 19 goals in his first season including seven in the NHL. Potulny has scored 52-54-106 in just the past two seasons with Hershey including a 33-goal campaign in 2011-12 to finish third in the AHL. He scored 38 goals in 2008-09 with Springfield.

Former Toronto Marlie and Syracuse Crunch Nicolas Deschamps (9-8-17) leads the Bears in scoring and was AHL Player of the Week a couple weeks ago. 30-year-old veteran Brandon Segal (4-13-17) scored 24 goals for Connecticut last year and has played over 100 NHL games. He notched an overtime winner against Adirondack last January after the Phantoms had rallied from a 5-1 deficit against Connecticut.

Ironman David Leggio (8-10-2, 2.76, .913) is now the top goalie for Hershey after patrolling the pipes in 64 games for Rochester last year. He has moved up to the #1 spot following the call-up of Philipp Grubauer.

Albany Devils (18-8-4, 42 points) - Affiliation, New Jersey Devils

Saturday, January 4 (7:00) - Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY

The Devils are on a roll. With points in 12 of their last 13 games that began with a franchise-record six-game win streak, Albany's 42 points are third-best in the Eastern Conference.

This year's Northway Rivalry Series between the Phantoms and Devils is tied 3-3 following a 2-0 decision for the Devils last Friday at Times Union Center. The all-time series between the Adirondack Phantoms and Albany Devils is even at 20-20.

Third-year pro Joe Whitney from Boston College is their leading scorer again at 12-20-32. The 5'6" tall speedster scored 6-6-12 in 11 games last year against ADK and is 2-3-5 in six games of the season series so far this year.

But point to Union College product Keith Kinkaid (13-4-1, 1.92, .927) as the primary reason for their success. The Devils' goalie leads the league with his microscopic 1.92 goals-against average that was helped in part by his fourth shutout of the season last Friday against the Phantoms. Stefan Matteau was a Round 1 selection (#29 overall) of the Devils in 2012 and is the son of NHL veteran Stephane Matteau who scored a famous goal for the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in double overtime against New Jersey.

All-Time Northway Rivalry Series History: Adirondack Phantoms 20 - Albany Devils 20

2013-14 - Series Tied 3-3

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)

Upcoming

Tuesday, December 31 (5:00) - Worcester Sharks at Adirondack Phantoms

Traditional New Year's Eve Game in Glens Falls! All tickets only $10!

Friday, January 3 (7:00) - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms

First game of 2014!! Pregame Happy Hour - $2 Beer Specials 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Saturday, January 4 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms

Zack FitzGerald Tribute Night! Big Face Fitzy on a Stick for first 2,500 fans courtesy of Liberty Graphics

Friday, January 11 (7:00) - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms

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.

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