January 31, 2010

ROCHESTER, NY – Jeff Taffe broke a 1-1 tie with his 17th goal of the season in the third period as the Rochester Americans edged the Adirondack Phantoms 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Blue Cross Arena.

Rochester grabbed an early lead just 2:43 into the game when a defensive zone turnover allowed Jordan Henry to throw a wrist shot on goal from the right point. The puck eluded a screened Johan Backlund as it hit off his catching glove and rolled agonizingly behind him and into the net. Backlund was very sharp in the period, including making a three-save sequence on defenseman Clay Wilson from close range with two minutes left in the period.

The Phantoms wasted little time at the start of the second period as they scored in the first minute of play. Off a counterattack Patrick Maroon sent Joonas Lehtivuori down the left wing and the rookie defenseman ripped a shot on goal that rebounded right to David Laliberte who swept the puck into the net a mere 29 seconds into the frame. The goal was Laliberte’s 11th of the season and extended his goal streak to four straight games. Adirondack had the better of offensive chances the rest of the stanza, including the game’s first power play, but Amerks goaltender Alexander Salak kept the game tied at 1-1, denying a Mika Pyorala breakaway and several one-timers from close range. The Phantoms out-shot the Americans 20-4 in the second period, but the score remained tied going in the third period.

Neither team had a lot of zip in the third period as the fatigue from their third game in three nights started to show on both sides. The game-winning goal came from a turnover at the defensive blue line that evolved into a three-on-one rush for the Amerks. Backlund made a great save on the initial shot from Jamie Johnson, but Jeff Taffe was there for the rebound and slotted it home at 13:51, his 17th goal of the season, giving the Americans a 2-1 lead. Adirondack was out-shot 12-7 in the frame and looked to rally by pulling Backlund in the final minute, but could not create any more chances.

Alexander Salak stopped 37-of-38 shots for his 22nd win of the year as Rochester improved to 29-17-2-0 on the season. Johan Backlund finished with 26 saves on 28 shots as Adirondack dropped to 22-22-2-1. The Phantoms out-shot the Americans 38-28 and went 0-for-1 on the power play; Rochester did not have a man-advantage in the game.

Adirondack returns to action on Wednesday, February 3rd as they travel to Pennsylvania for a 7:05 pm face off with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The Phantoms next home game is on Friday, February 5th as they host the Manchester Monarchs for a 7:00 pm face off at the Civic Center.

There is no better way to watch Phantoms Hockey than by sharing it with a group of your family and friends. Bring a group of 15 or more people to the Glens Falls Civic Center and qualify for incredible discounted ticket prices off the regular box office rates. For more information about group tickets, contact the Phantoms at (518) 480-3355 or online at www.phantomshockey.com.

FINAL BOX SCORE

Adirondack Phantoms 1 At Rochester Americans 2 - Status: Final
Jan 31, 2010 - Blue Cross Arena

Adirondack 0 1 0 - 1
Rochester 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-1, Rochester, Henry 7 2:43. Penalties-Klotz Adk (fighting), 2:47; Bonneau Rch (fighting), 2:47.

2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Laliberte 11 (Lehtivuori, Maroon), 0:29. Penalties-Legein Adk (fighting), 4:48; Duco Rch (fighting), 4:48; McArdle Rch (interference), 5:23.

3rd Period-3, Rochester, Taffe 17 (Johnson, Steiner), 13:51. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 11-20-7-38. Rochester 12-4-12-28.

Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 0 of 1; Rochester 0 of 0.

Goalies-Adirondack, Backlund 14-10-1 (28 shots-26 saves). Rochester, Salak 22-7-0 (38 shots-37 saves).

A-3,158

Referees-Chris Brown (86).
Linesmen-Dan Murphy (21), Peter Feola (33).