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The Heeter Stays Hot

November 1, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


It was another tremendous performance for goaltender Cal Heeter as the Adirondack Phantoms extended their win streak to three straight with a 3-1 victory over the Binghamton Senators on Friday night in Glens Falls. Heeter has won all three games in the streak allowing just one goal each night. After his 37-save gem in this one, Heeter's totals for the win streak are now 99 saves on 102 shots for a dazzling save percentage of .971.

Tye McGinn scored a pair of goals for Adirondack, both in the first period. And Kris Newbury added an empty-netter in the final minute, the team's first such tally of the season.

But it was the St. Louis native, Cal Heeter who stole the show...again. Just one day shy of his 25th birthday, Heeter was pressed especially hard in a wild second period in which Binghamton outshot the Phantoms 15-6 and kept the opportunities coming from all angles. Heeter turned aside each one. Even after defenseman Matt Konan tripped up Binghamton's Mike Hoffman triggering a big collision into the goalie, Heeter was able to stand his ground. Heeter was slow to get up and had to shake out his legs and hips apparently checking to see if everything still felt okay. And then he went on to knock away several quality Senators' chances on the ensuing penalty kill.

"I was getting to see the first shot and the guys were always there to clear the rebound," Heeter said. "Lots of battling, the team worked hard, made my job easy. It was a fun period. I had a good time."

In the third period, a big blast went off Heeter's helmet for a save and as his helmet was knocked free and he signaled to the officials for a whistle, the fans raised the roof with yet another ovation for the impressive goaltending performance.

Head coach Terry Murray again conveyed the importance of receiving the quality goaltending when the team's defense was on its heels. "Well, you have to have goaltending. It doesn't matter what level you're at," Murray said. "When you're in a situation where you've got a lot of young players in the lineup there's going to be some breakdowns, some mistakes. And that's part of the process of figuring all that out as players. And then you've got to have your goaltender that's going to be able to clean up some of that stuff. And the last couple games he's played he's been good at it."

Tye McGinn lit the lamp less than three minutes into the game chipping it home from the slot having received a centering pass from the base of the right circle by Nick Cousins. Adirondack would eventually improve to 3-0-1 in games in which they score the first goal.

With 1:10 to go in the first period, Kris Newbury dangled a little to set up Tye McGinn knifing in. McGinn pushed the puck around to his backhand to beat rookie goalie Andrew Hammond for his second of the night and while the goal celebration had barely gotten started, players from both sides collided and eventually turned shoves into punches.

"Newbury made a nice move," McGinn said. "I just tried to get control of the puck. It was up on the edge and I couldn't really get a hold of it. So really all I had was just slide it on the ice. And luckily the goalie tried to get across and opened up his five-hole....My initial thing was to come across and get it in somehow and that was the opening so that's what I tried to do."

In the ensuing altercations immediately after the goal, Ben Holmstrom dropped the gloves Wacey Hamilton and then later Kris Newbury went at it in the corner with Darren Kramer. The crowd was still roaring for McGinn's second of the night that gave Adirondack the 2-0 lead and then the volume went up higher still with the post-goal bouts.

For McGinn, it was actually his second multi-goal game of the season. On October 15 he scored a pair of goals for the Philadelphia Flyers against the Vancouver Canucks.

Binghamton broke up Cal Heeter's shutout bid with about five minutes left on a shorthanded goal by Buddy Robinson from J.G. Pageau. It was the second game in a row in which Heeter was denied in the closing minutes of recording his first career professional shutout.

But more importantly, it was the third straight victory for Heeter who has been able to victimize a frustrated Binghamton twice in the streak. "Definitely getting those last two against Binghamton last week and then playing well again on Wednesday against Springfield makes it easier," Heeter said. "Once you get into a bit of a rhythm you can sort of get on a roll. You get your confidence up and you're playing well and you're getting into the game. You don't have to go in and feel it out. You go in and you're ready. So, for me, I felt really well these last three games and hopefully we can just keep it going from here."

The Phantoms honored our nation's active and retired military throughout the game on Military Appreciation Night joining forces with several area organizations for a special evening that was filled with feel-good moments.

The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard presented our nation's colors in the pregame in a nice tribute of six men who served our country many years ago and who continue to represent today. Operation Adopt a Soldier, onbehalf.org and the Warren County Veterans Commission were all involved in the night as well and received funds and donations for their organizations. Area active and retired military were granted a ticket discount to the game. And Dax made the rounds around the area presenting some free tickets to some local military as well.

The Phantoms aim for their fourth straight win as they play their last home game for about three weeks. Saturday Adirondack hosts the Albany Devils on Postgame Pictures Night. All of the Phantoms players will be available on the ice for the fans to meet and take pictures with after the game. Bring your cameras!

The first 500 kids age 12 and younger will receive a free kids meal to Olive Garden. And it is also Adirodnack Youth Hockey Association Night. Call the Phantoms for tickets in advance at 518-480-3355.



American Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2013


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