Syracuse Evens Rivalry Series
November 2, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
Last week it was the Adirondack Phantoms burning the Syracuse Crunch on their home-ice in an overtime thriller. Friday night it was Syracuse returning the favor against the Phantoms at the Glens Falls Civic Center as the visiting Crunch came away with a 4-1 win to even the New York rivalry series at one game apiece.
Adirondack certainly had their chances but Syracuse goalie Dustin Tokarski made a handful of terrific saves on his way to #1 Star of the Game honors. And the Phantoms had some missed chances and even unlucky broken sticks on their seven power play opportunities.
A good Friday night crowd was boosted by the enthusiastic group from Word of Life in their annual night at a Phantoms game which featured a lot of post-game fun and prize giveaways for all the LOUD kids.
The Phantoms' defense was actually quite strong throughout the game as they limited the defending Calder Cup Champions (who skated as Norfolk last year) to only 18 shots on goal and just a handful of in-tight opportunities. Adirondack also blocked a number of shots throughout the contest.
But when Syracuse had their opportunities two of their young talents were able to capitalize. Last year's AHL Most Valuable Player, Cory Conacher, scored his sixth goal of the year. And fellow second-year pro Tyler Johnson also lit up his sixth. The two speedsters both capitalized on breakaway chances.
Conacher moved around Heeter a little to get off a backhander midway through the first for a 1-0 lead.
Harry Zolnierczyk tipped a Cullen Eddy slapshot right off a faceoff win to equalize at 1-1 before the intermission. Initially, the goal was announced as a Shane Harper tip. But after discussion in the press-box and further investigation by the off-ice officials on the replay, it was determined that it should go for Harry Z instead. Zolnierczyk has scored in each of Adirondack's three home games this year. Last season, he split his time equally between Philadelphia and Adirondack and scored a total of 11 goals; 8 with the Phantoms and 3 with the Flyers.
Shane Harper came crashing in hard on the forecheck midway through the first period to spark a free-for-all with various skaters pairing off and exchanging shoves and blows.
In the second period, Radko Gudas picked one off and converted for a 2-1 lead. And less than two minutes later former Albany Devil Matt Taormina connected on a home-run pass for Tyler Johnson who took his breakaway shot from the right circle and nailed it top shelf past Phantoms goalie Cal Heeter who was playing in his Glens Falls Civic Center debut.
Late in the second period Oliver Lauridsen would square off with Syracuse's Eric Neilsson who appeared to be looking for a fighting partner all night. The two would both land a couple of decent punches in the quick bout.
Adirondack had a late power play to try to cut into the 3-1 deficit but Brayden Schenn's shot was intercepted by Matt Taormina who rifled it down the ice for a clear and wound up putting it dead-center into the back of the net all the way from the opposite face-dot.
The Phantoms held their opponents to season-best 18 shots on goal in the game but also had their own season-low with 24 shots at Dustin Tokarski. Both teams went oh-for on the power play. Adirondack was 0-for-7 while Syracuse finished 0-for-4.
The Phantoms overall record stands at 3-5-0 while the Crunch improved to 5-1-2.
Adirondack concludes their first back-to-back homestand of the season Saturday night against the Albany Devils at 7:00 in Game 2 of the Time Warner Cable Cup rivalry series. Phantoms Team Posters will be given away to fans in attendance courtesy of Glens Falls Printing. And the team will be appear in in Heritage Hall following a post-game cooling off period for an autograph session with all the fans.
Be prepared to stay after the game on Saturday night so you can meet the team!!
Following Saturday's home game, the Phantoms hit the road for five straight but will be back over the Thanksgiving Holiday week to begin a six-game homestand, their longest of the season.
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