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Phantoms Win Opening Night Thriller

October 15, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms scored goals 34 seconds apart in the 3rd from Jon Kalinski and Eric Wellwood for an exciting come from behind victory in the team's home opener against the Syracuse Crunch.

The exciting win thrilled the Glens Falls Civic Center crowd in their first look at the Phantoms in the 2010-11 season, presented by Bud Light. Patrick Maroon scored his team leading third goal of the season in the 2nd period and Johan Backlund turned away 17 saves on 19 shots for his second win of the year. The victory evens the Phantoms record at 2-2-0.

Wellwood rushed up on a 2-on-1 with Stefan Legein but decided to take it himself roofing the game-winner and sending the fans into a frenzy.

Facing an entirely new and revamped Crunch team that switched affiliations from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Anaheim Ducks, the Phantoms drew first blood at 6:07 of the 2nd period on Patrick Maroon's top-shelf wrister from the slot on a give from rookie Mike Testwuide. Maroon had 11 goals for the Phantoms last season but is well ahead of that pace this year with three goals in the team's first four games. Mike Testwuide is a highly touted rookie from Colorado College who was credited with his 3rd assist of the season.

Adirondack dominated much of the 2nd period as they preserved their 1-0 lead and were outshooting the Crunch 10-1 in the period at one point. But Syracuse would storm back with quick goals 22 seconds apart later in the frame to shockingly take the lead. Kyle Palmieri and Joe DiPenta would light the lamp to make it 2-1 in favor of the Crunch.

The Phantoms took advantage of a double high-sticking penalty on Nick Bonino when he hit Andrew Rowe. Late into back end of the double power plays Kalinski would ring one off the base of the left-wing post behind Syracuse goalie J.P. Levasseur after Patrick Maroon nicely won it in the corner. For Kalinski it was his first goal of the season after he admitted that a goal he was credited with last Saturday should not have been his.

Just 34 seconds after Kalinski's goal it would be the speedy youngster Eric Wellwood to race up the left-wing and put on a fine move to hustle back the trailing defenseman. Wellwood carried it in himself on the 2-on-1 rush and roofed the shot top shelf for the game-winner at 12:06 into the 3rd. The Crunch fell to a record of 0-2-1 with the loss.

Adirondack outshot Syracuse 25-19 on the night. The Phantoms went 1-for-8 on the power play while doing a much improved job of staying out of the box themselves and limiting the Crunch to 0-for-2.

The game was the first of a three game stretch in three days for the Phantoms continuing with a Saturday night home game against the Albany Devils at 7 and concluding with a Sunday game on the road at the Rochester Americans at 5.

Opening weekend of the 2010-11 season, presented by Bud Light, continues Saturday night with the Phantoms hosting area rival Albany in the renewal of the Time Warner Cable Cup. The Phantoms lead the season series 1 game to 0 after a 5-3 victory at Albany last Saturday. The winner of the 12 game season series between the Phantoms and the Devils win the Time Warner Cable Cup!

Don't be left out! Tickets for all Phantoms games are on sale now. 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. The AHL is celebrating their 75th anniversary season and is the top development league for the NHL. More than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates and more than 6 million fans attend AHL games every year.

Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects with exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey! A variety of ticket packages for all the fast-paced action are on sale now. The Phantoms selection of discount ticket packages includes 3-packs, 6-packs, 12 and 22 Select Plans, full season plans and Flex Packs. Choose the plan that works best for you! 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 October 15, 2010


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