Phantoms win 3-2 in overtime
March 19, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
(PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 2004) - John Slaney's power-play goal 1:24 into overtime was the difference tonight as the Philadelphia Phantoms posted a 3-2 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in front of 13,125 at the Wachovia Spectrum.
The evening began with Slaney being honored for breaking the AHL's all-time record for goals by a defenseman, and it ended with him adding to his total. The teams entered overtime in a 3-on-3 situation and Philadelphia went on its decisive power play at the 52-second mark.
Kirk Furey and Kirby Law set up the one-timer from the far circle that deflected off a Penguins defenseman. Ironically, Slaney hit the post from the same spot with less than five seconds to go in regulation.
The goal was Slaney's 16th of the year, team-best ninth on the power play and fourth game-winning goal. The four-time AHL All-Star played for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton from 1999-2001.
"We had a 4-on-3 for a while and weren't shooting the puck," said Slaney about the winning goal. "Johnny (head coach John Stevens) said if you have a good opportunity for a one-timer, just shoot it. Kirk Furey made a nice play and the puck came over and I tried to get the puck to the net."
Law and Ben Stafford also scored and Antero Niittymaki made 22 saves for Philadelphia, which has won five of its last seven games overall and 12 of its last 15 at home. The Phantoms also improved to 6-0 when wearing their purple third jerseys.
"It was a very entertaining hockey game and we found a way to win the game," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "If you're a fan, you certainly got your money's worth. Pretty exciting, high tempo, a lot of energy in the building. A good hockey game all around."
With the win, the Phantoms remained tied with Bridgeport for first place in the East Division. The teams are just two points behind the Eastern Conference-leading Hartford Wolf Pack.
Andy Chiodo stopped 13-of-16 shots for Wilkes-Barre, which had won the last four encounters with Philadelphia. The Penguins also had a three-game road win streak come to an end.
Philadelphia scored twice during a 53-second span of the first period to open up a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. With six seconds remaining in an unsportsmanlike conduct minor on Wilkes-Barre's Reid Simpson, Law knocked in the deflection of a Peter White shot to put the Phantoms on the board. Furey also assisted on Law's team-leading 24th goal of the year at the 14:21 mark.
Law's goal ended Wilkes-Barre's scoreless streak vs. Philadelphia at 218:40, as the Penguins had shut out the Phantoms in the last three meetings.
Just 53 seconds later, Ian MacNeil and Peter Vandermeer worked the puck to Stafford in the slot and the center was able to back hand a shot past Chiodo for his 12th of the season.
But Wilkes-Barre scored during a pair of 5-on-3 situations in the second period to knot the score at 2-2. Patrick Boileau cut the deficit to 2-1 at the 6:24 mark with a one-timer from the near circle. Toby Petersen and Matt Murley set up Boileau's fourth goal, as well as Michel Ouellet's 28th of the year with 3:59 left that evened the score.
The Phantoms will continue their four-game homestand on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. when the Grand Rapids Griffins visit the Spectrum. The first 4,000 kids 14 and under that day will receive a Neil Little bobblehead doll, courtesy of Wachovia.
Phantoms Notes: Les Borsheim, Wade Skolney and Craig Berube were scratches ... Randy Jones was recalled by the Flyers earlier in the day ... Dennis Seidenberg continues to recover from a broken leg ... Legendary Flyers defensemen Mark Howe and Eric Desjardins helped honor Slaney during the pre-game ceremony ... The Penguins lead the season series, 5-4 ... The final match-up is set for April 3 in Wilkes-Barre.
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