Philly Fights To Finish In 3-2 Loss

Published on April 15, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Alexandre Giroux scored the game-winning goal with six seconds remaining to lift the Hershey Bears to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phantoms before a storm-braving crowd of 10,114 on Fan Appreciation Night at the Wachovia Spectrum. Darroll Powe and Stefan Ruzicka scored for the Phantoms, who gave away a kitchen sink and the shirts off their backs after the game.

Hershey took a 1-0 lead early in the second period with a shorthanded tally by Mike Green. The Bears held that advantage for nearly 30 minutes before the Phantoms were able to crack Maxime Daigneault just before the halfway point of the third period on Powe's goal.

The tally came in a shorthanded situation on a play started by the solid forechecking of Ryan Potulny along the right-wing boards. Potulny tied up a Bears defenseman and forced the puck loose, feeding it to a trailing Powe. The rookie wound up and fired a slapshot through a screen that found its way through a puck-sized hole in Daigneault's armor and into the net with 10:12 remaining in the period.

Just under four minutes later, Philadelphia jumped out to a 2-1 advantage. Darren Reid was behind the net to the right side and fed Potulny in front. Potulny's bid was thwarted by Daigneault's right leg, but Ruzicka was waiting on the post to poke home the rebound at 13:40.

But with three minutes remaining, Hershey tied the game when Andrew Joudrey converted a two-on-one. That set the stage for Giroux's goal at 19:54.

Houle absorbed the loss with 31 saves on 34 Hershey shots, while Daigneault took home the win with 27 saves on 29 Philadelphia chances.

The game marked the professional debut of Steve Downie, the Flyers first-round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the club for the season finale following the completion of his junior season in Kitchener, Ontario. Downie was scoreless with a shot and was -1 on the game, while seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill.

The Phantoms finish the season with a record of 31-41-2-6 for 70 points, sixth in the East Division.

Season ticket deposits are now being accepted for the 2007-08 season. Fans who make a $100 deposit on a new season ticket or pay renewals in full by May 1 will be entered in a drawing to win a 40x30 print of Neil Little from the famous Phantoms/Binghamton brawl of Dec. 28, 2003. For more information or to make a deposit, call the Phantoms at 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, www.phantomshockey.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central