Sellout Crowd Witnesses 5-2 Win Over Hershey
April 10, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
PHILADELPHIA - Rob Sirianni posted a hat trick to boost the Philadelphia Phantoms to a 5-2 win over the Hershey Bears in front of a sold-out Wachovia Spectrum on Friday night. The win, coupled with Binghamton's 6-1 loss to the Norfolk Admirals, clinches a playoff spot for the Phantoms.
Following a rousing ceremony celebrating the final regular season game at the Wachovia Spectrum, the Phantoms rode that momentum to blow the game open with a three-goal first period. Jonathan Matsumoto posted the first marker 7:44 into the game on a wraparound goal from behind the net. It was followed up by two from Sirianni, both on the power play and off feeds from Danny Syvret. One came at 16:11 and the other at 18:43.
Hershey got on the board at 8:13 of the second on a goal by Andrew Joudrey that game one second after a power play ended. But Jonathon Kalinski got it back when an innocent-looking shot from the left wing boards got through Michal Neuvirth at 14:47 for an unassisted goal.
Hershey scored again 6:03 into the third period, this time actually during a power play when Alexandre Giroux potted his league-leading 58th of the year. But Sirianni wrapped up the game and his hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:04 remaining.
Norfolk beat Binghamton 6-1 in the regular-season finale at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, which allowed the Phantoms to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. The Phantoms will play the division's first seed, which could still be Hershey, Bridgeport or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Phantoms will wrap up their regular season tomorrow night when they visit the Bears at the GIANT Center at 7:05.
The sellout was the 21st the Phantoms have hosted at the Wachovia Spectrum and the first in nine years. The last was January 28, 2000 against Hershey.
Playoff tickets for Philadelphia's first two playoff games are on sale now. Tickets are available online via ComcastTIX, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or at the Wachovia Complex box office. First-round tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
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