Sirianni, Matsumoto Notch Hat Tricks In 7-4 Win Over Grand Rapids

Published on March 28, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Rob Sirianni and Jonathan Matsumoto each scored three goals to lift the Philadelphia Phantoms to a 7-4 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday night. It was the first time in franchise history that two Phantoms have recorded a hat trick in the same game. The win allowed Philadelphia to keep pace with the Binghamton Senators, who recorded a come-from-behind 3-2 shootout win over Rochester.

The teams traded goals over the first two periods. Grand Rapids got on the board first with a goal from Darren Helm 3:45 in, but the Phantoms answered with a goal from Sirianni at 9:52 and then a shorthanded marker from Matsumoto just over three minutes later. The two goals gave the Phantoms a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period.

Helm evened affairs with a shortie of his own 46 seconds into the second period, but Jared Ross gave the Phantoms a 3-2 lead with the game's third consecutive shorthanded goal at 5:36 of the period. It tied a Phantoms franchise record for most shorthanded goals by both teams, done four times previous.

The Griffins then turned the tables with two goals in two minutes. First it was Evan McGrath finding the back of the net at 13:33, followed by Francis Lemieux at 15:31, which gave the Griffins a 4-3 lead. But just 26 seconds later, Matsumoto buried his second to make it a 4-4 contest at the second intermission.

Sirianni and Matsumoto took over from there, scoring the only three goals of the third period. Sirianni put home the game-winner 25 seconds into the frame, and then triggered a torrent of hats with a goal at 9:47. Matsumoto provided additional insurance with just over 2 ½ minutes left to secure his own hat trick.

J.S. Aubin took the win with 23 saves on 27 shots. Daniel Larsson absorbed the loss with 29 saves on Philadelphia's 36 bids.

The Phantoms remain within six points of fourth-place Binghamton with two games in hand. The Senators tied the game at 2-2 with a late power play goal from Denis Hamel during a 5-on-3 situation sparked by two late hooking calls against Rochester, and then went on to win in the shootout. Philadelphia will make up one of its two games in hand tomorrow against Grand Rapids, while the Senators are idle.

There are now just four regular season games remaining at the Wachovia Spectrum, with the next coming tomorrow when the Phantoms and Griffins face off at 5:05. All adult tickets are just $10, while kids tickets are just $5. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at Phantomshockey.com, or via ComcastTIX at 1-800-298-4200.

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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American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2009


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