Phantoms Weekly

March 8, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Tickets for Hockey Hall of Fame Dinner on Sale Now!

The Hockey Hall of Fame Dinner is on Saturday, March 12th at 4:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall where the 2011 Inaugural Class will be officially inducted into the Adirondack Hall of Fame. Adirondack Hall of Fame Inductees Hugo Belanger, Barry Melrose and Jody Gage will be on hand. That night, the Phantoms host the Hershey Bears for a 7:00 pm face off at the Civic Center and the 2011 Hall of Fame Class will be honored throughout the game. The Phantoms will also be wearing special jerseys, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the American Hockey League.

Tickets for the event are $30 or a table of 10 for $250. If you have any questions regarding the event, call Anne Porreca at 791-4248 or email her at anneporreca@msn.com.

End of Winter Sale!

The Adirondack Phantoms are having an end of the winter sale! Both online and at the Phantoms games, you can save 25% off select Phantoms memorabilia while supply last (March 1st through March 20th) http://shopphantomshockey.com/. If you have any questions, contact Tim Dinan at the Phantoms office for more details.

Holmstrom Makes NHL Debut and Bourdon Returns

Ben Holmstrom received his first career NHL call up this past week with the Flyers. The 6-1 center from Colorado Springs, CO made his NHL debut Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs logging over 8 minutes of ice-time, half of which came on the penalty kill.

Holmstrom, 23, is the only Adirondack Phantom to have appeared in every game this season (62). He has 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points following his first multi-goal game of his career in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Albany Devils.

Marc-Andre Bourdon has been returned to the Adirondack Phantoms following his weekend rehab stint with Greenville of the ECHL. In 3 games with the Road Warriors, Bourdon recorded two assists, was a +2 rating. He has recorded 1 goal and 7 points in 33 games this season with Adirondack.

Phantoms Upcoming Games

Friday, March 11 - Albany at Adirondack - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 12 - Hershey at Adirondack - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 13 - Adirondack at Springfield - 3:00 p.m.

2010-11 Record:

21-32-3-6, 51 points (Home 12-14-2-3, Road 9-18-1-3)

Adirondack Phantoms Team Leaders

Games: Ben Holmstrom (62)

Goals: Denis Hamel (20)

Assists: Erik Gustafsson (31)

Points: Denis Hamel (37)

Plus/Minus: Mike Testwuide (2)

Penalty Minutes: Zac Rinaldo (231)

Power Play Goals: Denis Hamel (10)

Short-handed Goals: Jonathon Kalinski (2)

Game-Winning Goals: Denis Hamel (3)

Shots: Denis Hamel (192)

Saves: Johan Backlund (656)

Wins: Johan Backlund (8)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.40)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.919)

Week 22 Schedule

All games are broadcast LIVE on Classic Hits Q-101.7 FM by Adirondack Phantoms voice, Bob Rotruck, and can be heard free over the Internet at www.phantomshockey.com and can be viewed via internet pay-per-view video on www.ahllive.com.

Final of Three Straight Games against the Albany Devils

Friday, March 11 - 7:30 p.m. - Glens Falls Civic Center - Glens Falls, NY

vs. Albany Devils (24-34-1-3, 52 pts)

6th Place in East Division, Eastern Conference

This will be the ninth meeting between the Phantoms & Devils and third consecutive game between the Eastern Division Rivals. The Time Warner Cable Cup Series is tied at 4-4 with 4 games remaining. Adirondack has registered ten of a possible sixteen points (4-2-1-1) in the season series. Albany is ranked dead last in the league on the power play (12.2%) and on the penalty kill (76.3%). Albany has given up the most goals in the league (216) which on average is 3.46 GA/Game while Adirondack has scored the least in the league (145) which on average is 2.34 GF/Game. Adam Henrique, after scoring in Sunday's loss to Adirondack, leads the Devils in goals (21) while Matt Anderson has a team-high in assists (27) and points (47). Jeff Frazee is now 2-2-0-2 against the Phantoms this season while backup Mike McKenna is 1-0-0-0 after his 20 save effort in Saturday's 5-2 win. The Devils are 4-5-1-0 in their last ten and are a game above .500 away from the Times Union Center.

Adirondack Hall of Fame Induction presented by Glens Falls National

Saturday, March 12 - 7:00 p.m. - Glens Falls Civic Center - Glens Falls, NY

vs. Hershey Bears (39-21-1-3, 82 pts)

2nd Place in East Division, Eastern Conference

Prior to the game, Hugo Belanger (Adirondack Frostbite), Barry Melrose (Adirondack Red Wings Coach/Adirondack Frostbite Owner) and Jody Gage (Adirondack Red Wings) will be inducted into the second annual Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame. This is the seventh of eight meetings between the Phantoms and Bears. Hershey will travel to Glens Falls once more this season (March 25). The last time these two teams met were on January 23rd in Hershey when Adirondack fell 5-1. Michael Ryan scored on the power play while Michael Leighton made 17 saves. Hershey is ranked 9th on the power play (19.6%) as well as on the penalty kill (84.1 %). Hershey is 15-1-0-2 when leading after 2 periods but are 0-9-0-0 when trailing after the second period. Brian Willsie leads the Bears in goals (25) while AHL vet Keith Aucion has a team-high 48 assists and 63 points in just 46 games this season. With Braden Holtby on recall to the Washington Capitals, the Bears are going with a three goaltenders; Dany Sabourin (14-9-0-0, 2.45 GAA), Todd Ford (6-4-0-1, 3.05 GAA) and recently acquired Nolan Schaefer (1-1-0-0, 2.52 GAA). The Bears are 19-10-1-1 away from the Giant Center and are 5-5-0-0 in their last ten.

Final Meeting against the Falcons

Sunday, March 13 - 3:00 p.m. - MassMutual Center - Springfield, MA

@ Springfield Falcons (30-29-2-3, 65 pts)

5th Place in Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference

This will be the second and final meeting between the Phantoms and Falcons this season. Adirondack leads the season series 1-0. The two teams last met on New Year's Eve at the Glens Falls Civic Center when the Phantoms defeated the Falcons 3-2 in a shootout. It will be the first time that Greg Moore and Tom Sestito will play against their old teams after being traded for each one another on February 28. Springfield is in the midst of a playoff push as they trail the Connecticut Whale by 5 points for the final playoff spot. The Falcons are 21st on the power play (16.8 %) but rank 4th in the AHL on the penalty kill (85.2 %). Rookie Tomas Kubalik leads the Falcons in goals (20) and total points (42) while teammate Ben Guite, who has spent time with the Colorado Avalanche organization, has 23 assists and leads all Falcons in +/- (9). Goaltender David LeNeveu is 16-15-0-2 with a 2.89 GAA and .898 save percentage. They are winless in their last 4 games (0-3-1-0).

Week 21 Game Results

March 5, 2011 - Adirondack 2 @ Albany 5

Eric Wellwood (11th) and Mike Testwuide (9th) tallied the goals for Adirondack as Albany took a 4-3 advantage in the Time Warner Cable Cup Series. Michael Leighton was sensational in the loss making 35 saves, 19 of which came in the first period. Wellwood gave Adirondack an early 1-0 lead but the Devils were too much as Alexander Vasyunov finished with 2 goals and Mike McKenna recorded his first win against Adirondack this season after he was pulled from the game back on October 16 as he allowed 3 goals in the first 5 minutes. Adirondack finished 0-for-4 on the power play while Albany went 2-for-5 on the man advantage.

March 6, 2011 - Albany 3 @ Adirondack 4

Ben Holmstrom and Denis Hamel each scored twice as the Adirondack Phantoms came from behind to defeat the Albany Devils at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Sunday afternoon. The Time Warner Cable Cup is now tied at 4-4 with 4 games remaining in the season series. Holmstrom tallied his 11th of the year to give Adirondack a 1-0 lead, just 16 seconds in, on a feed from Michael Ryan who was positioned behind the Devils net. It was Adirondack's fastest goal of the season (Rinaldo previously held the record with a goal 42 seconds in back on October 12 against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins). At the 13:40 of the first period, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond tied the score at 1-1 on a shot from the left-wing circle that beat Phantoms netminder Johan Backlund short side. It was Leblond's fourth goal of the season and second against the Phantoms this season. With three minutes remaining in the second, Adam Henrique gave Albany its first lead of the night at 2-1. From the right wing circle, Henrique's shot bounced off Backlund's glove, the crossbar and then across the goal-line to tally his 21st goal of the year. The Phantoms battled back with the first of three power play goals in the third period just 55 seconds in. With Denis Hamel screening Devils netminder Jeff Frazee, Ben Holmstrom from the left wing circle blasted one top-shelf past the netminder to tie the score at 2-2. Less than 3 minutes later, Albany would regain the lead at 3-2 as Stephen Gionta caused a turnover and back-handed one past Backlund to score his 10th of the year. Albany's lead lasted just 71 seconds as Adirondack's Denis Hamel scored the first of his two on the night to tie the score at 3-3 on the power play. After an Alexander Urbom minor for holding, Hamel scored his second of the game on a give from Jonathon Kalinski, who made a great play along the boards to keep the puck in the zone and then find Hamel positioned in the slot. Adirondack finished the game 3-for-9 on the power play and went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Johan Backlund made 26 saves to earn his eighth win of the season while Frazee lost for the fourth time this season against Adirondack.

Phantoms Quick Hits

-Phantoms record since Dec 17 is 17-9-7 and are 15-9-7 under Joe Paterson.

-Adirondack has recorded points in 10 of their last 12 games (6-2-4).

-The Phantoms have won three consecutive home games for the first time this season (since Feb.26).

-In his three-game rehab stint with the Greenville Road Warriors, Marc Andre Bourdon recorded 2 assists, was a +2 and fought twice finishing with 14 PIM's.

-Denis Hamel recorded his 20th goal of the season in Sunday's 4-3 come from behind victory over the Albany Devils. It was his ninth career 20-goal season and fourth in a row.

-Hamel has 310 career goals placing him tied for 16th all-time in AHL history. He is six goals behind Bruce Boudreau for 15th and is 15 goals behind Adirondack Red Wing great Glenn Merkosky for 11th.

-Defenseman Danny Syvret is on a 6-game point streak (3 goals, 6 assists) while Forward Ben Holmstrom is on a 3-game point streak (3 goals, 1 assist).

-Mike Testwuide has 7 goals and 6 assists over the last 13 games.

Phantoms Reebok/AHL Player of the Week (Week 21):

#23- Ben Holmstrom - C - 2 GP (2 goals, 1 assist, Even, 3 SOG)

The Colorado Springs, CO native earned his first career NHL call up on Thursday to the Flyers and then made his NHL debut that night against the Toronto Maple Leafs logging over 8 minutes of ice-time. After being loaned back to the Adirondack on Saturday morning, Holmstrom remained the only Phantom to have appeared in every game this season (62). He recorded his first career multi-goal game in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Albany Devils. It was a week of "firsts" for the 2nd year pro.

Adirondack Phantoms Recent Transactions...

Feb 28 - Andrew Rowe (RW) Returned to Adirondack (AHL)

Feb 28 - Greg Moore (FW) Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets organization (NHL)

Feb 28 - Tom Sestito (FW) Acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets organization (NHL)

Mar 3 - Ben Holmstrom (FW) Recalled by Philadelphia (NHL)

Mar 4 - Marc-Andre Bourdon (D) Loaned to Greenville (ECHL)

Mar 5 - Ben Holmstrom (FW) Returned on Loan to Adirondack (AHL)

Mar 7 - Marc-Andre Bourdon (D) Recalled to Adirondack (AHL)

Phantoms Practice Schedule this Week

Tuesday, March 8: Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 9: Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 10: Practice at 10:00 a.m. (PRACTICE RINK)

Friday, March 11: Pre-Game at 10:00 a.m. / Game vs. Albany Devils at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 12: Pre-game at 10:00 a.m. / Game vs. Hershey Bears at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 13: Bus to SPR at 11:00 a.m. / Game @ Springfield Falcons 3:00 p.m. / Bus back following the game to GF

Monday, March 14: OFF

UPCOMING GAMES

Saturday, March 12, 4:30 p.m. - Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame Reception, Dinner and Induction ceremony at Heritage Hall. Appearing will be Adirondack hockey greats Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose. Tickets for the dinner are $30 or get a table of 10 for $250.

Saturday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms - Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame Night sponsored by Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company. Honoring Hugo Belanger, Jody Gage and Barry Melrose. All three will be attending on a very special night. Phantoms wearing special AHL 75th Anniversary commemorative jerseys.

Sunday, March 13, 3:00 p.m. - Adirondack Phantoms at Springfield Falcons

Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. - Binghamton Senators at Adirondack Phantoms - Check it Out Night. Ticket Discounts with your library card.

Join us at the Glens Falls Civic Center for exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey, the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Discount rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Save off the individual ticket price by asking the Phantoms about their great group rate packages and flex-packs.Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects. Get your tickets at the Phantoms office inside the Glens Falls Civic Center, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2011


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