November 18, 2009

GLENS FALLS, NY – Johan Backlund stopped all 25 shots that he faced for his second shutout of the season as the Adirondack Phantoms beat the Toronto Marlies 2-0 Wednesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Adirondack bench boss Greg Gilbert’s 900th career game as a head coach in the NHL, AHL and OHL was fittingly against his former team and the Phantoms had a good start to the contest. Marlies forward Andre Deveaux was whistled for tripping at 1:42 and the Phantoms capitalized as Patrick Maroon found Jon Matsumoto open in the slot for a one-timer that beat goaltender Joey MacDonald at 2:28; the goal was Matsumoto’s seventh of the season and was also assisted by defenseman Joonas Lehtivuori. Toronto’s best chance in the first period came with only seconds left; Viktor Stalberg slipped behind the defense and was all alone against Phantoms goaltender Johan Backlund, but the buzzer sounded before Stalberg’s shot rang off the goal post.

Neither team could capitalize on the six combined power play chances in the second period, but Adirondack did extend their lead with 4:06 left. Matt Clackson crashed the net on a Garrett Klotz shot and buried the rebound for his first goal of the season at 15:54, assisted by Klotz and Ryan Dingle.

Clackson’s goal would prove to be a crucial insurance goal in the third period as the Marlies pushed to get back into the game. Toronto out-shot Adirondack 10-3 in the final frame and had four power plays, including an extended five-on-three advantage, but Backlund was superb, making several acrobatic saves to keep the Marlies off the board.

Adirondack starter Johan Backlund earned his sixth win and his second shutout of the season by stopping all 25 shots that he faced to help the Phantoms improve to 8-6-1-0 on the year. Marlies goaltender Joey MacDonald finished with 19 saves on 21 shots and took the loss as Toronto fell to 6-6-1-2. The Marlies out-shot the Phantoms 25-21 in the game and went 0-for-9 on the power play; Adirondack was 1-for-5 with the man-advantage.

The Phantoms will hit the road this weekend as they travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to face off with the Penguins at 7:05 pm at Wachovia Arena. Adirondack’s next home game is on Friday, November 27th as they host the Hershey Bears for a 7:30 pm face off on Black Friday at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

The Time Warner Cable Cup Four-Pack is now on sale at the Phantoms office, starting as low as $56. 2009-10 Phantoms full and partial season ticket packages are still available for the 2009-10 season presented by Bud Light. For more information please contact the Adirondack Phantoms at (518) 480-3355 or online at www.phantomshockey.com.

FINAL BOX SCORE

Toronto Marlies 0 At Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Status: Final
Nov 18, 2009 - Glens Falls Civic Center

Toronto 0 0 0 - 0
Adirondack 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Matsumoto 7 (Maroon, Lehtivuori), 2:28 (pp). Penalties-Deveaux Tor (tripping), 1:42; Stephenson Adk (hooking), 2:57; Dingle Adk (holding), 6:28; Rosehill Tor (roughing), 9:50; Clackson Adk (roughing), 9:50; Ondrus Tor (roughing), 16:09; Ross Adk (roughing), 16:09; Perry Tor (instigating, fighting, misconduct), 17:34; Maroon Adk (boarding, fighting), 17:34.

2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Clackson 1 (Klotz, Dingle), 15:54. Penalties-Boyce Tor (tripping), 2:00; Hanson Tor (diving), 2:35; Mormina Adk (tripping), 2:35; Clackson Adk (interference), 5:09; Curry Adk (slashing), 6:38; Hanson Tor (double minor - spearing (attempt)), 7:39; Curry Adk (interference), 12:34.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Rosehill Tor (interference), 2:31; Bourdon Adk (boarding), 8:25; Legein Adk (tripping), 8:59; Boyce Tor (kneeing), 12:54; Nodl Adk (hooking), 14:00; Marshall Adk (hooking), 16:22.

Shots on Goal-Toronto 6-9-10-25. Adirondack 10-8-3-21.

Power Play Opportunities-Toronto 0 of 9; Adirondack 1 of 5.

Goalies-Toronto, MacDonald 2-3-0 (21 shots-19 saves). Adirondack, Backlund 6-4-0 (25 shots-25 saves).

A-2,823

Referees-Mark Lemelin (84).
Linesmen-Mike Emanatian (69), Steeve Lemay (64).