Senators Sneak By Phantoms

Published on February 29, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Binghamton's Josh Hennessey tied the game with 1:44 remaining in regulation and Niko Dimitrakos scored in the seventh round of the shootout to lift the Senators to a 3-2 shootout win over the Philadelphia Phantoms in front of 9,755 at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Neither team scored until the 13:16 mark of the second period, when Denis Hamel put the Sens on the board first during a power play. Justin Mapletoft put everything he had into a blast from the lower left circle, which Scott Munroe stopped point-blank. But the puck fell off his chest and within reach of Hamel's stick, and the veteran pushed it over the line to give his team the 1-0 lead.

But the Phantoms responded with two power play goals in 32 seconds early in the third period to jump ahead 2-1. First it was Lars Jonsson, who blasted a slapshot from above the left circle during a 5-on-3. It flew past Brian Elliott to tie the game at 1-1 just 43 seconds into the period. Then on the ensuing 5-on-4 power play, Kyle Greentree was waiting on the right post to knock home the rebound of a Jonathan Matsumoto shot to give Philadelphia a 2-1 lead.

But Hennessey was able to even the score in the game's waning moments. He picked up a puck just inside the Phantoms blue line, swept down behind the net to the right and wrapped a puck back around to the left before Munroe could jump back to the post on that side.

The game ended up in a shootout that was dominated by the goaltenders. Neither team scored through the first three rounds until Hennessey was successful in the fourth. Darren Reid capitalized in the fifth round to keep the Phantoms alive, but Dimitrakos sealed it in the seventh round.

Munroe absorbed the loss with 30 saves on 32 shots and five of seven in the shootout, while Elliott took the win with 36 saves on 38 shots and six of seven in the extra-extra.

The Phantoms now hold a record of 37-18-2-3 for 79 points. They are nine points ahead of Hershey and Albany, which are now tied for second, and 13 points ahead of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton heading into tomorrow night's showdown with the Penguins in Wilkes-Barre.

After the weekend trip to Wilkes-Barre and Albany, the Phantoms return to the Wachovia Spectrum on Tuesday, March 4 to host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2008


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