Philadelphia Takes 5-4 Shootout Win Over Hartford

March 21, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - In a contest that not only echoed one from 48 hours ago, but also one happening on the other side of the Wachovia Complex parking lot, the Philadelphia Phantoms took a 5-4 shootout win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. The game followed the same path as one between the two teams on Wednesday night, when a 3-1 Phantoms lead turned into a 4-4 tie that went to overtime. Hartford won on Wednesday, but on this night Ryan Potulny scored in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Phantoms the extra standings point.

Philadelphia lit up its side of the scoreboard first just 1:34 into the first period. While operating on a power play, Rory Fitzpatrick flung the puck from the high slot. Pete Zingoni changed the puck's direction and sent it past goaltender David LeNeveu to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.

Hartford tied the game at 8:29 on a penalty shot that was also a shorthanded goal. Greg Moore established a breakaway, with Rory Fitzpatrick giving chase. Fitzpatrick's efforts at impeding Moore's progress were judged to be excessive. Moore used his free spin to beat Martin Houle on the backhand to make it a 1-1 contest. Houle had to leave the game later in the period due to injury and was replaced by Scott Munroe.

As the second period dawned, another early goal gave the Phantoms a 2-1 advantage. Jesse Boulerice swept behind the Hartford net and came out to the right side and wrapped the puck in front through the crease. Boyd Kane was waiting on the left post to put home the pass just 20 seconds into the frame.

The Philadelphia lead grew at the 6:35 mark. Darroll Powe created his second shorthanded scoring opportunity of the night, this one turning out to be a breakaway. Powe converted the chance into an unassisted goal that game the Phantoms a 3-1 advantage at the second intermission. It was Powe's fourth shorthanded goal, which leads not only the Phantoms but all AHL rookies.

In the third period, it was Hartford's turn to strike early. Just 23 seconds had elapsed when the Wolf Pack converted a two-on-one breakout featuring Moore and Lauri Korpikoski. It was Korpikoski who finished it off, pulling Hartford within a goal at 3-2.

The equalizer came at 7:36 of the period. Former Phantoms pugilist Josh Gratton cleaned up a broken play as the trailer in a disjointed rush up the ice. As the break neared the Phantoms goal, the puck slid out and Gratton smacked a backhander that went through the mess and past Munroe to make the scoreboard read 3-3.

Hartford took a 4-3 lead on a power play goal by Pierre-Alexandre Parentau. His shot from the left circle beat Munroe with 5:17 to play, creating echoes of Wednesday night for Philadelphia.

But things turned out differently this time thanks to Jared Ross, who tied the game with 3:33 to play. Ross was part of a group in front of the Hartford net that combined to generate a couple shots that LeNeveu stopped. But Ross was able to bury one of the remnants to level the score at 4-4 and force overtime and eventually a shootout.

The teams were even through three rounds of the shootout, with goaltenders prevailing in the first and third rounds and the shooters doing so in the second. But in the fourth round, Ryan Potulny converted and Scott Munroe stopped Dane Byers. Munroe secured the win with a save on Andrew Hutchinson in the fifth round.

Houle stopped six of seven before departing, while Munroe secured the win in relief with 24 saves on 27 bids and four of five stops in the shootout. LeNeveu took the loss with 18 saves on 22 Philadelphia opportunities.

The Phantoms now hold a record of 41-23-3-3 for 88 points. The club picked up a little extra breathing room in a tightly-packed East Division after Albany beat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3-0. Philadelphia now leads Wilkes-Barre/Scranton by three points and Albany by four. Philadelphia's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now nine points over Bridgeport, which surged for four goals in the third to come back and beat Worcester 5-4 in a shootout. Any combination of points gained by the Phantoms and lost by the Sound Tigers adding up to nine would clinch a playoff spot for Philadelphia.

Across the parking lot at the Wachovia Center, the Flyers took on Hartford's parent club, the New York Rangers. In that game, the Rangers erased a 2-0 deficit to force overtime after regulation ended at a 3-3 score, and the Flyers went on to take the shootout win.

The Phantoms travel to Hershey tomorrow to take on the Bears at 7:05 at the GIANT Center. Their next home contest is next Friday, March 28 against the Binghamton Senators at the Wachovia Spectrum at 7:05. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200



American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2008


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