Phantoms Win Third Straight

March 19, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Adirondack may be out of realistic contention for a playoff spot but they are playing some of their best hockey of the season in the closing games of the year and are helping potentially knock other teams out of the postseason in the process.

Another stellar performance by goalie Michael Leighton led the way as the Phantoms began a three game road-trip with a 3-1 victory at the Toronto Marlies. Leighton made 38 saves on 39 shots as the Phantoms won their third straight and ran their point streak to four games.

It was Head Coach Joe Paterson's first game back in Toronto as a coach since he served as an assistant coach with the Marlies for four seasons ending in 2008-09.

Rob Bordson (6th), Harry Zolnierczyk (2nd) and Eric Wellwood (15th) were the goal scorers for the Phantoms. Adirondack improved to 9-3-5 in their last 17 games (since February 5th). Their record since Joe Paterson accepted the coaching reigns in late December improved to 18-10-8.

All three of the Phantoms victories on their win streak have done significant damage to teams fighting for their playoff lives down the stretch run. Adirondack has made things more difficult on Springfield, Binghamton and Toronto this week.

Leighton improved to 9-10-3 with the victory while lowering his goals against average this season to 2.24 and upping his save percentage to .924. In his last three games he has allowed just three goals while turning aside 87 of 90 shots for a sparking .967 percentage.

Rob Bordson started the scoring for Adirondack less than three minutes into the game. Zac Rinaldo picked off a clearing try in the neutral zone and fed it to Luke Pither up the left-wing whose centering give to Bordson up the middle would be slammed past Marlies goalie Ben Scrivens. Bordson's 6th of the season staked the Phantoms to a 1-0 lead that they would hold until late in the second period.

Michael Leighton continued his typical ways of making one fine stop after another to preserve the advantage. Then it would be Rob Bordson from his own end firing it forward to Harry Zolnierczyk on the Toronto line for a quick 2-on-1 rush. Zolnierczyk took the shot himself from the right dot and rifled it five-hole on Scrivens for the 2-0 lead.

For Zolnierczyk it would be his second goal in his last two games. The former captain of the Brown University Bears was playing just his fifth game as a pro and was doing so in front of several friends and family in his hometown of Toronto.

Leighton's bid for his 33rd career shutout would cease midway through the third when Korbinian Holzer would cut his way from the right-point to the high slot and burn one through for just his second of the year.

Adirondack would hold onto the 2-1 lead until the closing minute when Eric Wellwood would speed up the left-wing wall and bury one into the open net for his 15th tally of the season to seal the victory.

The three game road swing now turns south for the Phantoms. They will play Tuesday night at the Charlotte Checkers and Wednesday night at the Norfolk Admirals.

That begins a busy stretch of five games in six days for the Phantoms who will be at home next Friday and Saturday against the top two teams in the league, Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Adirondack will play at the Worcester Sharks next Sunday.

Phantoms Notes:

The Phantoms are 20-10-8 since December 17.

Michael Leighton made his fourth start in a row for the Phantoms and won his third straight. Scratches for the game included Matt Clackson, Oliver Lauridsen, Matt Walker and Logan Stephenson.

Erik Gustafsson has been up with the Philadelphia Flyers this week and played in his second ever NHL game Thursday night at Atlanta.

Andrew Rowe is down with the Greenville (SC) Road Warriors of the ECHL this week. He scored his second goal of the season with Greenville a couple nights ago. With his fifth game there he will be eligible to join them for the playoffs to get even more playing time after the Phantoms season is concluded. Rowe is expected to rejoin the Phantoms on Tuesday upon their arrival to nearby Charlotte.

UPCOMING GAMES

Saturday, March 19th, 3:00 p.m. - Adirondack Phantoms at Toronto Marlies

Tuesday. March 22nd, 7:00 p.m. - Adirondack Phantoms at Charlotte Checkers

Wednesday, March 23rd, 7:15 p.m. - Adirondack Phantoms at Norfolk Admirals

Friday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms - The return of SuperFan Cameron Hughes firing up the crowd. Make some noise and get some T-Shirts!

Saturday, March 26, 7:00 p.m. - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms - The return of SuperFan Cameron Hughes firing up the crowd. Make some noise and get some T-Shirts! Post-game concert with Isaiah 6.

Phantoms Season Tickets for 2011-12 are on sale now! Full season ticket holders get an Adirondack Phantoms stadium blanket while supplies last and also will be in the Phantoms mug club for $1 sodas and coffees in Heritage Hall all season long.

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 19, 2011


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