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Philadelphia Wins 4-3 Over Hershey In Shootout

January 17, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


HERSHEY, PA - Jonathan Matusmoto scored the tying goal with less than five minutes left in regulation and then posted two goals in the shootout, including the game-winner in the second round, to give the Philadelphia Phantoms a 4-3 shootout win over the Hershey Bears in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,688 at the GIANT Center on Saturday night. Philadelphia erased deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 and overcame a 52-28 shot disadvantage to pick up its third win in a row and pull within two points of Binghamton in the East Division race.

After outshooting the Bears 5-1 over the first five minutes of the first period, the Phantoms were outshot 16-0 the rest of the frame, with AHL goal-scoring leader Alexandre Giroux adding to his total with two goals along the way. The first came on a two-on-one with Tyler Sloan, where Sloan grabbed a loose puck at center, came down the left side and flipped it to Giroux. Scott Munroe got a piece of Giroux's bid, but couldn't keep it out and the Bears led 1-0 with 5:28 to play in the period.

Less than two minutes later, Giroux converted again on a power play. He was in the slot when he took a centering pass from Keith Aucoin on the left wing, and fired it high past Munroe for the 2-0 advantage that held at the first intermission.

But the Phantoms answered with two goals in the second period that came 40 seconds apart. The first happened on a power play when Matsumoto closed in from the right side and threw a shot on net that Daren Machesney stopped. David Laliberte was there to bang home the rebound, and it was 2-1 at the 7:44 mark.

Then Jared Ross tied it up when he picked up a puck in the neutral zone and outsprinted the defense to put himself on a breakaway. He skated in and beat Machesney to his stick side, making it a 2-2 game. Fellow Alabama-Huntsville product Munroe drew the only assist on the marker.

Things did not look good for Philadelphia with 7:43 left in regulation after a scrambling play in the Phantoms end left Hershey with a 3-2 lead. Quentin Laing carried a puck around behind the net and tried a stuffer attempt that Michael Ratchuk blocked. But with Munroe displaced by his crease by Steve Pinizzotto, Laing backed to the circle and fired a high shot into the relatively open net, giving the Bears the lead.

But Matsumoto was having none of it, and tied the game about three and a half minutes later. He went into a scrum behind the Hershey net, pulled out the puck and walked it past the right post, and then jammed it past Machesney's outstretched left pad with 4:19 to play. It deadlocked the game at 3-3, forcing overtime, which was scoreless.

The Phantoms quickly took the advantage in the shootout, jumping out to a 2-0 lead after three rounds on goals by Matsumoto and Ross. But the Bears answered with goals by Francois Bouchard and then by Aucoin in the fifth round, which kept the Bears alive after two Phantoms misses. After the goaltenders prevailed in round six, Matusmoto scored opposite a miss by Bouchard to give Philadelphia the win.

Munroe was out of his mind, stopping 49 shots in regulation and overtime play and then making five of seven saves in the shootout to earn his 17th win of the season. Machesney absorbed the loss with 25 saves during regulation/overtime and four of seven in the shootout. Philadelphia was 1-for-6 on the power play, while Hershey was 1-for-4.

The 52 shots allowed by the Phantoms is a season-high for the team and marks the 11th consecutive game in which the Phantoms have allowed at least 38 shots. Philadelphia held a 16-12 shot advantage in the second period, but was outshot 17-5 in the first period and 19-4 in the third. The Phantoms have allowed 478 shots in their last 11 games, an average of 43.5 per night.

The Phantoms return home to Philadelphia tomorrow night to host the Albany River Rats at the special start time of 7:05 PM. Danny Briere will make his final appearance for the Phantoms in that game, and the team will be wearing replica Campbell Conference All-Star jerseys from the 1976 NHL All-Star Game, which will be sold in Bullies following the contest. Tickets for that game, as well as all 2008-09 regular season games, are available by calling 1-800-298-4200 or visiting phantomshockey.com.

Through a new partnership with Babies ‘R Us, all kids tickets for all Phantoms games are just $5 for the rest of the season. Fans are encouraged to take advantage of this great value to experience all the Wachovia Spectrum has to offer as the Phantoms play the final season of hockey in the historic building. Those who grew up watching the Flyers, Sixers, various concerts, and other events in the Spectrum have a tremendous final opportunity to give their kids a similar experience between now and the final regular season game on Sunday, April 12.

For more information on Phantoms tickets and packages, please call 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

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