Phantoms Win in Outrageous Dax Jerseys

Published on February 24, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


They were bright, bold and outrageous. And the Phantoms' alternative Dax Jerseys were also victorious in a 2-1 triumph over the Binghamton Senators on Dax's Birthday on Sunday evening. Matt Mangene and Jon Sim scored on Dax's special day while Cal Heeter racked up 30 saves including a couple big point-blank stops.

Adirondack took to the ice wearing crazy green and gold jerseys of their mascot Dax as they replaced the regular Phantoms' logo for one day only with the face of everyone's favorite giant, orange beaver mascot. Perhaps the unusual look distracted the visiting Senators, especially on their power play. Adirondack's penalty kill was a big key in the game as they held Binghamton to 0-for-6 including a late kill with 3:00 remaining as well as a pair of extended 5-on-3's in the second period.

Cal Heeter had one of his top performances of his rookie season with his 30-save gem on his way to #1 Star of the Game honors.

"(Heeter) always comes out with great attention and focus and compete and hard work," Head Coach Terry Murray said. "Right now he's starting to bring the other parts of the game together. (Flyers Goalie Coach) Jeff Reese has worked very hard with him and it's a process that these young guys have to go through. His position emotionally as far as being a pro player is in the right stage."

One of Binghamton's 5-on-3 opportunities in the second-period was for 1:45. And Adirondack's shorthanded crew battled and scrapped their way through it to maintain the 0-0 score at the time.

"It's tough," said Cal Heeter. "As a team you have to work together with your defensemen. Everyone's working hard and just making sure everyone's doing their job. For me personally, it's my job to clean up whatever does get through. Our team did a great job all night shutting down their options, blocking shots, taking away passing lanes. To give up only a couple shots on those 5-on-3's makes it really easy on me."

"When you can kill two 5-on-3 power-plays like that, it's huge," Brandon Manning said. "It turns things around and gives us a chance to come back. It gives us a boost."

The Phantoms rushed back the other way on a power play of their own just a couple minutes after the first 5-on-3 kill and Matt Mangene sniped from the right circle for his 3rd goal of the season going five-hole on Marc Cheverie for a 1-0 lead just past the midway point of the game.

Jon Sim scored his second goal with Adirondack and his eighth overall this year (previously with San Antonio) to make it 2-0 early in the third period. But Dustin Gazley converted on the rebound of a Chris Wideman shot off the left-leg pad of Heeter to make it a one-goal game again. It would be the only goal the talented rookie from Ohio State would surrender.

An exhausted Phantoms team who had arrived back from their road-trip at 4:00 am was playing their third game in three days and running on fumes by the end of it. But they kept pushing to prevent the Binghamton Senators from scoring the tying goal and hung on for an exciting win to close out the weekend.

During the game, fellow mascots from around the region appeared on the ice and in the stands to wish Dax a very Happy Birthday. He was presented with a big birthday cake in the shape of a tub of popcorn. And they all crammed into a limo and then were brought out to the ice for an amusing and ultra-competitive contest of musical chairs.

All-in-all, it was indeed a very Happy Birthday for Dax who was thrilled with the team's exciting win.

Adirondack is off until next weekend when they play 3.5 games in 3 days. The Phantoms play a doubleheader of sorts on Friday at Springfield beginning at 6:05 with the completion of their suspended game in the second period and then followed by a full game. Adirondack returns home next Sunday at 3:00 against the Albany Devils on Post-Game Photo Night. Fans will be allowed onto the ice for pics with their favorite Phantoms players after the game. Call the Phantoms to order your tickets and Sunday Family 3-Packs at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2013


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